OCEAN PLASTIC

CAUSES, IMPACT AND PREVENTION

WHAT IS OCEAN PLASTIC AND WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

Ocean plastic refers to any type of plastic waste that ends up in the world's oceans. This can include items like plastic bottles, bags, packaging materials, and microplastics (tiny pieces of plastic less than 5mm in size). Ocean plastic pollution is a significant environmental problem with far-reaching consequences.

Typically ocean plastic comes from improper disposal of plastic waste on land (littering or mismanaged waste) and abandoned or lost fishing gear.

Ocean plastic has a big impact on the environment. A few key areas are discussed below:

Marine animals can ingest or become entangled in plastic debris. This can lead to injury, suffocation, and starvation. Larger marine animals like whales, dolphins, and sea turtles can mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, a common prey item, and ingest them. Microplastics can also be ingested by smaller marine organisms and can bioaccumulate up the food chain, potentially affecting humans who consume seafood.
Plastic debris can physically damage or smother sensitive habitats like coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves. This disrupts the balance of these ecosystems and can have cascading effects on the species that depend on them.
Plastics can release harmful chemicals as they break down. These chemicals can leach into the surrounding environment, potentially contaminating the water and soil. This can have toxic effects on marine life and disrupt the overall ecosystem health.
Microplastics (tiny pieces of plastic less than 5mm in size) can be ingested by a wide range of marine organisms, from zooplankton to filter-feeding bivalves. These microplastics can accumulate in the tissues of these organisms and potentially be passed up the food chain, eventually reaching humans.

WHAT DOES IT DO TO THE ENVIRONMENT?

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Although it might seem like small changes won't make a difference on a large scale, we believe that if everyone made positive changes in certain key areas, this can make a large positive impact to the environment going forward.

Avoid single-use plastics.
Ensure that you are adopting the correct waste disposal and recycling guidelines suited to your area.
Choose companies with minimal or eco-friendly packaging.
Participate in clean up efforts. Join or organise community clean-up events to remove litter from beaches, rivers and other areas before it reaches the ocean.
Educate yourself and others about the impacts of plastic pollution. Encourage sustainable practices within your community and among your social circles.
Avoid products that contain microbeads and microfibers. Use a filter on washing machines to capture microplastics from synthetic fabrics.