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Plastic has made our lives easier in many ways. It’s durable, lightweight, and has a variety of uses, from storage containers to outdoor furniture. The problem with plastic is that it's often discarded improperly. And sadly, much of that plastic ends up in our oceans.
So what can we do to protect our oceans? We can start by arming ourselves with knowledge, then use what we’ve learned to create lasting solutions that keep our oceans and waterways clean, healthy, and safe.
Keep reading to learn more about ocean plastic pollution and what you can do to help our planet.
Of the 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic produced over the decades, we've only managed to recycle 9% of it worldwide (OECD, 2022).
Approximately eight million metric tons of plastic are dumped into the oceans annually (Jambeck et al., 2015). If we don't take action now, we're looking at nearly 24 million metric tons of litter by 2040 (UNEP, 2021).
Between 1994 and 2007, the world's oceans kept 34 billion metric tons of CO2 emissions out of the atmosphere. Since then, the absorption rate has increased as atmospheric carbon levels rise. But one day, our oceans may be unable to keep up, and marine life will be at risk due to excess CO2 (Gruber et al., 2019).
Recent research estimates that we unintentionally consume 0.1–5 grams of microplastic (plastic that's broken down into microscopic bits) every week (Senathirajah et al., 2021).
Sewage outfalls and agricultural runoff are the primary contributors to dead zones—oxygen-depleted areas in the oceans that can't support marine life. There are over 700 dead zones globally—a steep increase from the 1930s when fewer than five had been identified (Malone & Newton, 2020).
Improper waste disposal, illegal dumping, and carelessness contribute to the increase in plastic pollution. People discard their waste on the ground or right in the water, assuming that a little bit won't hurt anything. Unfortunately, that assumption has led to the problems we face today.
You may recycle like a champ, but wind gusts could tip your bin over or whisk a few pieces away while being transported to your local recycling facility. Many plastics are lightweight and flexible and can easily be blown into rivers or storm drains that flow out to sea.
Improper disposal of plastic doesn't just happen on an individual level: Companies with lax collection and disposal practices for construction materials, synthetic textiles, plastic pellets, and other waste are largely responsible for plastic entering the environment.
Congress passed the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015, which banned the use of microbeads in rinse-off health and cosmetic products, but it didn't address other types of microplastics. This means plastic may lurk in your personal care routine and get washed down the drain. Next time you stock up on sundries, check the packaging labels and try to avoid these ingredients:
Microfibers are another risk for plastic entering the ocean. These plastic fibers shed off synthetic clothing in the washing machine. Like microplastics, microfibers are so tiny that wastewater plants have difficulty filtering them out, offering a direct pathway to the ocean.
Exact time varies on landfill conditions.
We can turn the tide on plastic pollution if we make lasting lifestyle changes. There are many ways to make a positive impact—and they're all easy.
Reduce waste by seeking environmentally friendly alternatives for everyday items.
Do some research to see if there are any cleanup opportunities in your community.
Write an email or letter to your representatives about passing policies to improve waste management infrastructure.
Always ensure your plastic gets thrown away in the recycling bin, even if it's an inconvenience.
Here's an easy guide that will help you learn which plastics can be recycled—and which ones cannot—and how to do it correctly.
The chasing arrows symbol is recognized all over the world. But you may have noticed that there are sometimes numbers inside the symbols, which is called the resin identification code (RIC). RICs #1 through #7 refer to plastics, but the recycling numbers go higher as you get into metal, glass, paper, and other materials.
NOTE: Recycling laws and regulations vary by state, county, and city. Check your local town or government's website to learn more about recycling in your area.
Plastic containers need to be free of food contamination; otherwise, they'll be rejected at the recycling facility. You don't need to scrub each piece with soap and water until they're squeaky clean. Just rinse or scrape out old food and excess liquid, let them air-dry, and toss them in your recycling bin.
Grease, crumbs, and leftover food particles can attract bugs, cause equipment problems, and create pretty unbearable odors for recycling plant employees.
One piece of dirty plastic can contaminate the rest of the items in your curbside bin. So take a few extra minutes to clean your recyclables—and be a good neighbor to the hard workers at your local recycling center or waste management plant.
You can leave labels on. The labels and the glue that holds them will burn off when the plastic is melted.
Yes, plastic lids and caps can be recycled. However, there's a hot debate as to whether lids and caps should stay on or be removed from bottles and containers. Seek that answer from your local government or recycling provider.
Flatten and scrunch your recyclables—unless they're glass, of course—to make more room in your bin and save time for those who handle the items down the line.
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