Ethan Clarke
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that affects coasts and oceans worldwide. It is caused by a combination of factors, including littering, improper waste disposal, and plastic waste from rapidly growing economies. Once in the ocean, plastic can take years to break down into microplastics, which are then ingested by marine life, causing life-threatening issues. While some plastic sinks, about 80% of floating plastic will end up on coasts, impacting the environment, industries, and resulting in high cleanup costs. This plastic pollution is not limited to coastal areas, as it can also be found in the open ocean, accumulating in subtropical gyres like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Addressing plastic pollution requires a multifaceted approach, including reducing plastic consumption, improving waste management, and supporting organizations dedicated to stopping plastic pollution at its source.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic in coastal waters | Comes from land-based sources |
| Plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch | Comes from fishing activities at sea |
| Plastic in the ocean | Comes from thousands of sources all over the world |
| Plastic in rivers | River Yangtze, River Brantas, River Cross, and River Ganges are some of the rivers that deposit the most plastic into the ocean |
| Plastic pollution | Is a worldwide problem that causes damage to the environment, human health, and economies |
| Plastic decomposition | Plastic can take up to 500 years to decompose |
| Plastic microplastics | Microplastics are small plastics less than 5mm in size that can come from larger plastics breaking down or be produced as small plastics like microbeads |
| Plastic ingestion by marine life | Marine life can mistake plastic for food, which can cause life-threatening problems and impact their survival |
| Plastic in marine debris | Plastic can be carried into the ocean by rain and wind, or through streams and storm drains |
| Plastic recycling | Only 12% of the 260 million tonnes of plastic thrown away yearly is recycled |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic waste from land
One major source of plastic pollution from land is the use of plastic in agriculture. Agricultural production accounts for 3.5% of global plastic production, with 12.5 million tons of plastic used in the sector in 2019. Plastic is used in agriculture for mulching, which can leave harmful plastic residues on the surface and subsurface of farmlands. These plastic residues do not degrade rapidly in the soil, leading to long-term contamination. In addition, sewage sludge, generated from wastewater treatment plants, is often applied to agricultural soils for fertilization. While these plants aim to separate liquid waste from other contaminants, they are not 100% efficient, leading to microplastic contamination in agricultural soils.
Another source of plastic pollution from land is the use of synthetic clothing and washing machines. Each time synthetic clothing is washed, minuscule fibres of plastic are shed and can make their way into wastewater treatment plants or be discharged into the environment. A single cycle of a washing machine can release up to 700,000 microscopic plastic fibres, and these fibres can eventually make their way into the ocean.
The plastic waste that ends up on coastlines can have serious consequences for the environment, including marine life, and industries such as fishing and tourism. Once in the ocean, plastic can take years to break free from coastal waters and enter the open ocean, where it can remain for decades or even centuries. During this time, the plastic can break down into microplastics, which can absorb harmful pollutants and enter the marine food chain, causing damage to marine ecosystems and potentially human health.
While there are some voluntary programs to address plastic waste, such as the Ag Container Recycling Council in the US, more needs to be done to reduce plastic pollution from land. This includes increasing research on the impacts of microplastic pollution on land and implementing sustainable practices for plastic use, such as the 6R principle (refuse, redesign, reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover).
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Plastic waste from boats
Fishing gear, such as nets, buoys, and traps, is often made of plastic and can be lost or abandoned in the ocean, becoming marine debris. This type of plastic waste from boats is a particular problem as it can entangle marine life, leading to injury or death. It can also break down into microplastics, which can be ingested by marine animals, potentially causing harm to their health.
Another source of plastic waste from boats is cargo and shipping operations. Boats and ships often carry large containers and packaging made of plastic, which can be accidentally or intentionally discarded into the ocean. This type of plastic waste can include crates, packaging materials, and single-use plastic items used by crew and passengers.
Additionally, boats and ships may also discharge plastic waste from their daily operations, such as food wrappers, beverage bottles, straws, and cleaning supplies. If not properly stored and disposed of, these plastic items can be blown or washed overboard, contributing to ocean plastic pollution.
To address plastic waste from boats, proper waste management practices on board are essential. This includes responsible handling, storage, and disposal of plastic items, as well as the adoption of reusable and recyclable alternatives. Additionally, innovative solutions, such as boats designed to collect and convert plastic waste into fuel, offer a promising approach to removing plastic from the ocean and reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste from boats.
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Plastic waste from fishing gear
Plastic waste is a pressing global issue, with plastic pollution in the oceans causing damage to the environment, human health, and economies. While plastic waste from fishing gear is not the only source of ocean plastic, it is a significant contributor.
Fishing gear, such as nets, ropes, and crates, can become marine debris when it is lost, discarded, or abandoned. This plastic waste can have devastating effects on marine life. Marine animals can become entangled in derelict fishing nets and other plastic debris, leading to injury or death. For example, in 2015, Sea Shepherd France retrieved over 180 km of ghost nets in the Sea of Cortez, which were responsible for killing the critically endangered vaquita porpoise. Additionally, marine animals may mistake plastic debris for food, leading to ingestion of harmful pollutants.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the North Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and California, is a highly polluted area of the ocean. Research has shown that a large proportion of the plastic waste in this area, ranging from 75% to 86%, comes from offshore fishing activities. Buoys, eel traps, nets, and oyster spacers are examples of fishing-related gear found in this garbage patch. Major industrialized fishing nations, including the United States, China, Japan, and Korea, have been identified as the principal producers of this fishing waste.
To address the issue of plastic waste from fishing gear, various measures can be taken. Governments can play a crucial role in preventing fishing gear from further polluting the oceans by implementing policies and regulations. Organizations such as Sea Shepherd work to stop illegal fishing operations and remove illegal fishing gear from the oceans. Individuals can also make a difference by reducing their consumption of fish and avoiding single-use plastics. Additionally, finding alternatives to plastic bottles and reducing the use of plastic bags can help mitigate the problem.
While it is important to focus on stopping the inflow of plastic into the oceans, cleanup efforts are also necessary. Organizations like The Ocean Cleanup develop large-scale systems to concentrate plastic waste for periodic removal. They also work on intercepting riverine plastic before it reaches the ocean with their Interceptor™ Solutions technology. By addressing both the prevention and removal of plastic waste from fishing gear, we can strive to protect our marine environments and the life they support.
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Plastic waste from rivers
Rivers are a major source of plastic waste in the oceans. It is estimated that 1000 rivers are responsible for nearly 80% of global annual riverine plastic emissions, ranging from 0.8 to 2.7 million metric tons per year. Small urban rivers are among the most polluting, contributing significantly to plastic export to the oceans. Local actions to reduce inputs to rivers in urban coastal areas can effectively decrease plastic pollution in the oceans.
Several studies have estimated the amount of plastic, including microplastics and macroplastics, in rivers worldwide, with varying conclusions. The midpoint estimates for microplastics range from 31 kilotons to 2.31 million tons per year, while the range for macroplastics is 0.15 tons to 1 million tons per year. The total exported plastics are estimated to range from 0.13 to 2.46 million tons. These estimates are lower than the amount of plastic entering the aquatic environment, which is estimated to be between 19 and 23 million tons annually.
Plastic waste in rivers poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems. Turtles, fish, sharks, and other vertebrates have been observed lethally stuck in plastic waste, mainly abandoned fishing gear. Microplastics also have toxic effects on organisms, including additive leaching, persistent organic pollutant (POP) transfer, and methane emissions. Additionally, plastic pollution can block waterways, cause hygienic problems, and contaminate drinking water resources.
To combat river plastic pollution, it is crucial to understand the origin, transport, fate, and effects of riverine plastic debris. Monitoring plastic waste in rivers, even by simple means such as counting floating objects, can help evaluate the success of measures to reduce plastic pollution. The Ocean Cleanup has developed Interceptor solutions to address the issue of plastic waste in rivers, working with government leaders, private corporations, and the scientific community to tackle the 1000 most polluting rivers.
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Plastic waste from littering
Littering encompasses the deliberate or accidental discarding of plastic waste in public spaces, including roadways, parks, and waterways. While some littering incidents occur unintentionally, such as items falling from unsecured trash receptacles or truck beds, a significant portion is intentional. A 2009 study by Keep America Beautiful revealed that 76% of roadway litter resulted from motorists and pedestrians intentionally discarding items.
The consequences of plastic littering are far-reaching and detrimental. Firstly, plastic waste can take centuries to decompose, persisting in the environment indefinitely. This waste accumulates in landfills, clutters drains, and eventually finds its way into rivers, lakes, and oceans, polluting aquatic ecosystems. Plastic pollution has been identified in various forms, including food wrappers, beverage bottles, grocery bags, straws, and take-out containers. These plastic items break down into microplastics, tiny particles that can be ingested by marine life, leading to the absorption and release of harmful pollutants.
The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the environment to human health and economies. Microplastics have been detected in human blood, placentas, food, and beverages, exposing people to toxic chemicals that can cause developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders. Additionally, the accumulation of plastic litter harms local economies, particularly in sectors such as small and medium-sized enterprises, tourism, fisheries, agriculture, and water safety.
To address the issue of plastic waste from littering, it is essential to reduce plastic consumption, improve waste management practices, and promote recycling and responsible disposal. Public awareness and education about the impacts of littering can help discourage intentional littering and encourage proper waste disposal. Furthermore, participating in cleanup efforts, such as volunteering for marine or community litter removal initiatives, can help mitigate the immediate impacts of plastic pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic stays at the coast due to its low buoyancy, causing it to sink or remain floating at the coastline. About 80% of floating plastic will beach on a coastline within a month of leaking into the ocean.
The main sources of plastic pollution at the coast are land-based, including littering, improper waste disposal, and single-use plastics. Rivers are a significant pathway for plastic to reach the ocean, with the Yangtze River in Asia being the most polluting river globally.
Plastic pollution has severe consequences for coastal environments, including the fishing and tourism industries, as well as high cleanup costs for communities. Marine life can suffer entanglement and ingestion of plastic debris, leading to life-threatening issues.
Microplastics, formed from larger plastic items breaking down, are prevalent in coastal areas. These tiny particles can absorb and release harmful pollutants, exacerbating the ecological damage caused by plastic pollution in coastal ecosystems.
To reduce plastic pollution at the coast, it is essential to minimize plastic consumption, improve waste management practices, and promote recycling and reuse of plastic items. Participating in coastal cleanups and supporting organizations dedicated to preventing plastic pollution can also help address this issue.
