Oceans of Plastic

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Our annual global plastic production approaches nearly 300 million tonnes, a quantity equivalent to the combined weight of the entire adult population of the planet. Despite the remarkable versatility and utility of plastic, approximately half of our production is designated for single-use purposes, after which it is discarded. But the problem goes far beyond this as plastic disintegration results in the formation of tiny particles that tend to attract toxins, toxins that cause all manner of diseases in humans when being passed up the food chain.

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Fact and figures about plastic pollution in the ocean:

• 80% of the ocean waste is plastic
• Plastic pollution is the cause of death for around 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals every year
• Plastic accounts for around 10% of the total waste we generate
• 1 in 3 fish caught for human consumption now contains plastic
• 12 million tonnes of plastic is dumped into the ocean every year (Eunomia,2016)
• 100,000 marine mammals and turtles and 1 million sea birds are killed by marine plastic pollution ever year. (UK Government, 2018)
• A plastic bottle can last for 450 years in the marine environment slowly disintegrating into smaller pieces but never disappearing
• Worldwide: 73% of beach litter is plastic: Plastic accounts for around 10% of the total waste we generate
• By 2050, virtually every seabird species on the planet will be eating plastic
• More than 40% of plastic is used just once, then tossed

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How can we help as individuals?

According to Colombia University: ‘’ The most high-profile effort to clean up ocean plastic is being conducted by?Ocean Cleanup, a Dutch nonprofit whose goal is to get rid of 90 percent of floating plastic pollution in the ocean. ‘’

However, there are a few things which us, as individuals can do to help combat plastic pollution:

1. Re-use shopping bags/water bottles or opt for cloth bags/metal/glass reusable bottles.
2. Avoid using single-serving packaging, straw or disposable plastics.
3. Do an overall analysis of the plastic items in your household and see which ones can be replaced with ecological options (e.g. Sandwich bags, juice cartons). Seek alternatives to the plastic items that you rely on.
4. Bring your own reusable mug when you go to a coffee shop.
5. Reuse and recycle whenever possible
6. If you do decide to use some plastic items, make sure they are either #1 (PETE) or #2 (HDPE)
7. Volunteer at beach/river clean-up
8. Use less water so excess runoff and wastewater will not flow into the ocean.
9. Use fuel efficient vehicles, carpool or ride a bike.
10. Avoid products containing microbeads.
11. Educate people around, make them more aware of the implications of using plastic items