Marine Plastic Pollution

Marine Plastic Pollution (WWF report 2018)

Plastics are synthetic compounds made from carbon-based materials;

most plastic is derived from oil and other fossil materials, though it can

also, be made from other sources like cellulose and corn starch. Plastic is

widely used because of its durability, but this also makes it dangerous:

most plastics are not biodegradable and remain in the environment for

hundreds of years.

Current estimates report that there are over 150 million tonnes of plastics in the ocean today. In a business-as-usual scenario, the ocean will contain 1 tonne of plastic for every 3 tonnes of fish by 2025, and by 2050, the oceans may have more plastics than fish (by weight) 

The fight against marine pollution, of which plastic waste is among the

main causes – is one of the focus areas of Sustainable Development Goal

14 “Life below water”. In 2018, the UN Environment placed the issue of

ocean plastics among the six most serious environmental emergencies,

(along with others such as climate change, ocean acidification and

biodiversity loss).

Plastics represent most of the waste (60-95%) found in seas around

the world and the main type of waste found on beaches and marine

sediments. Of this, 80% comes from land sources and 20% from marine

sources (such as fishing, aquaculture, and maritime transport)

Since most plastics are not biodegradable, all the plastics present in 

the environment will remain there for hundreds or thousands of years.

Used on average for four years – but often just once – plastics remain in

the sea for periods ranging from five years for a cigarette filter, 20 years

for a bag, 50 years for a plastic cup, and up to 600 years for a fishing line.

Macroplastics – larger waste items such as bags, cigarette filters,

balloons, bottles, caps, or straws – are the most visible form of

plastic pollution. But it is microplastics, fragments of less than 5mm

that have the greatest impact on marine life.

  Some microplastics are formed directly at sea, as larger plastic debris

breaks down due to wind, waves, or ultraviolet light. Others are

intentionally manufactured as nurdles (tiny pellets used in plastic

production) or exfoliating agents and additives for soaps, creams, gels and

toothpaste, or are accidentally generated, for instance from tire dust or

from the use and washing of synthetic clothing fibers.

  The impact of microplastics goes beyond the marine environment,

contaminating even air, both tap and bottled water –and food and

drinks, including salt, honey, and beer.

The global economic cost of the 10 to 20 million tonnes of plastic ending

up in the world’s oceans, each year is estimated at approximately US $13

billion per year in environmental damage to marine ecosystems. This

includes financial losses incurred by fisheries and tourism as well as time

spent cleaning up beaches.

This is my first post on the blog. I’m a plastic minimalist and trying to live a sustainable lifestyle. I'm a nature-loving person and appreciates everything Nature has provided us. I’ll be updating blogs and articles on the same topics I hope to provide you much information and pass on the message of living a Sustainable life and become a Plastic minimalist. Hope you enjoy my articles and appreciate any feedback or suggestions or any updated information on the topic we discuss.