Ocean Plastic Pollution

Causes

Single-use Plastics

Almost half of the plastic that we encounter is only used once then thrown in the trash bin.

Plastic Straws & Stirrers

The major problem with plastic straws is there’s little to zero chance that they can be recycled because of its structure.

Plastic Bags & Bottles

What makes plastic bags dangerous is that they are easily transported by animals, natural causes, and just by the wind. An estimated 583.3 billion plastic bottles are sold yearly and more than half of them end up as trash.

Food Industry

Plastic wrappers are common because they’re cheaper to produce. About a third of the plastic that pollutes our land and oceans is from food wrappers.

Effects

On Humans

When exposed to toxic chemicals humans can suffer from cancers, birth defects, impaired immunity, and other health problems. Microplastics could contain toxic chemicals linked to a variety of health problems, including reproductive issues, obesity, organ problems, and developmental delays in children.

On Environment

Water Pollution

When plastic is dumped in landfills, it interacts with water and forms hazardous chemicals. This makes groundwater and reservoirs susceptible to leaking environmental toxins. These chemicals can easily degrade the water quality.

Ocean pollution

Most of the debris in our oceans is made up of plastics. Ocean pollution has had terrible consequences on many marine species, which can lead to consequences for those that eat fish and marine life for nutrients—humans included.

On Animals

Seals, whales, turtles, and other animals are strangled by abandoned fishing nets or discarded plastic bags. Microplastics have also been found in more than 100 aquatic species, including fish, shrimp, and mussels. These microplastics can block digestive tracts or pierce organs, causing death. Animals also starve to death because too much plastic reduces the urge to eat.