Solving the Missing Plastic Paradox

Written By: Will Pearson, CEO & CO-Founder of Ocean Bottle

Last week, on World Oceans Day, we celebrated the ecosystem that covers over 70% of our planet. This year’s theme, ‘Awaken New Depths’, gives us the opportunity to deepen our understanding of the health of our ocean. As we explore this theme, we’re focusing on a pressing issue: the Missing Plastic Paradox!??

The health of our ocean is a global concern that requires collective action, and we, as stewards of the planet, have an important role to play. World Oceans Day elevates this message and brings together governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, and individuals to collaborate on solutions. So, in line with this year's theme, awakening new depths, we're exploring the challenging question - where is all the missing plastic?!?

Despite the alarming volume of plastic waste entering the ocean, scientists are still questioning where all the plastic ends up. This puzzle, known as the Missing Plastic Paradox, was highlighted by a discrepancy between the large quantities of plastic being produced, used, and discarded into the ocean each year, and scientific surveys and models showing only a fraction of this plastic being accounted for in ocean surface waters, shorelines, and the seafloor.?

?This challenge could lead to an underestimation of the true impact of plastic pollution on our marine ecosystem. This is further complicated by the fact that, research tells us, over 80% of the ocean remains unmapped, unobserved, and unexplored.

?So, why would we have missing plastics? Over time, larger pieces of plastic break down into microplastics and nanoplastics, which are more challenging to detect and quantify as they disperse throughout the water column and sediment layers. Plastics may also settle in remote or less-studied areas of the ocean, such as the deep sea, where scientific surveys are more challenging to conduct.??

?Fortunately, novel research, such as the Ocean Science Expedition, continues to explore these difficult questions and gain a deeper understanding of the plastic crisis we are facing. This year, we are supporting this expedition, led by polar explorer Keith Tuffley, with scientific counsel from Professor Dr. Johan Rockstr?m, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. Departing from Bergen, the team will pass through the Northwest Passage, exploring remote and under-sampled regions, collecting invaluable data on marine microplastics, ocean carbon dioxide, oxygen levels, seawater temperature, and salinity. By carrying Ocean Bottles along the journey, the team of scientists are also contributing to the collection of ocean-bound plastic waste - a fitting alignment with their hopes of mitigating ocean plastic. ??

?At Ocean Bottle, we support and take action alongside organisations that fight plastic pollution in every capacity. Whether it be the production of plastic, waste management, scientific research, or material innovation, we collaborate with organisations in all areas of expertise. Our reusable bottles support a world without single use plastics by offering circular designs, collecting plastic waste and advocating accessible refill stations. Our plastic collection partners are supported by our funding, and, as we work closely with the local communities, we ensure they receive case-specific social benefits, tailored to their challenges. ??

?We know that our efforts are just a drop in the ocean, and there is always more we can do to reduce global plastic production. Supporting World Oceans Day, the Ocean Science Expedition, and our collection partners is a good starting point, and we are looking forward to the challenging, yet motivating fight ahead of us!?

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