Plastic pollution is a growing global issue that severely impacts marine ecosystems and wildlife. Every year, over one million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans, endangering marine animals and contaminating the environment.
Here's how plastic ends up in the ocean and the threats it poses to marine life.
How Much Plastic Ends Up in the Ocean?
Globally, 353 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated annually. Of this, 82 million tonnes are mismanaged, and around 19 million tonnes end up in the environment, with 6 million tonnes washing into rivers and coasts.
About 1.7 million tonnes of plastic eventually reach the ocean each year. While this may sound like a small percentage, it equates to a massive amount of waste accumulating in our oceans over time. To put it into perspective, this is roughly equivalent to the weight of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
How Do Plastic Bags Harm Marine Life?
Plastic bags are among the most harmful plastic pollutants. Sea turtles, which mistake floating plastic bags for jellyfish, ingest them, often leading to fatal internal injuries, blockages, and starvation.
It's estimated that more than half of the world's sea turtles have ingested plastic at some point. Similarly, whales, dolphins, and porpoises are often killed by ingesting plastic, with film-like plastic bags being the deadliest.
How Does Plastic Get Into the Ocean?
Plastic waste finds its way into the ocean in various ways:
Littering: Both intentional and accidental, with wind or rain carrying trash into water bodies.
Overflowing Trash Bins: When trash bins spill over, plastics are easily swept into nearby waterways.
Illegal Dumping: Some industries improperly dispose of plastic waste into the environment.
Lost Shipping Containers: Container ships frequently lose cargo, spilling plastics into the sea.
Fishing Gear: Abandoned or lost fishing gear, known as ghost gear, remains in the ocean, entangling marine animals.
Microbeads: Found in personal care products, these tiny plastic particles are washed down drains and enter the oceans through wastewater systems.
Macroplastics vs. Microplastics
Plastics are classified into two categories based on their size:
Macroplastics: Larger plastics like bottles, bags, and containers that are easily seen and can entangle marine life or be ingested.
Microplastics: Tiny particles less than 5mm in size, which make up over 90% of marine plastics. They are consumed by smaller marine creatures, like plankton and fish, and travel up the food chain, affecting larger species, including humans.
The Ghost Gear Problem
Ghost gear is lost or abandoned fishing equipment that continues to drift in the ocean, trapping and killing marine life. This discarded gear contributes to the deaths of millions of animals, including endangered species like the North Atlantic right whale. It also causes significant financial losses to fisheries.
How Can You Help Reduce Plastic in the Ocean?
IFAW is actively involved in tackling plastic pollution through coastal cleanups and waste management initiatives. You can also reduce your plastic footprint by:
Using reusable alternatives (e.g., metal straws, cloth bags, reusable water bottles)
Recycling properly and supporting local refill stores
Participating in beach or neighborhood clean-ups
Educating others about plastic pollution and encouraging eco-friendly practices
By taking small steps in our daily lives, we can collectively help reduce the plastic waste that ends up in our oceans and protect marine life from its harmful effects.
How Does Plastic Get Into The Ocean?
Video by Esri
