Plastic Pollution

The worldwide production of plastics reached a staggering 400.3 million metric tons in 2022. Common plastics like polypropylene, polyethene, and polystyrene are cheap to produce, convenient, and durable. However, these benefits have led to a throw-away culture today. Single-use plastics account for 40% of the plastic produced yearly. Products, such as plastic bags, will be used by consumers for a few minutes before being thrown away but can cause irreparable environmental damage for up to 600 years.

It’s a stark reality that 98% of single-use plastic products are made from virgin plastics, which are derived directly from fossil fuels that are over a century old. This dominance of virgin plastics in our everyday items clearly indicates the urgent need to transition to more sustainable alternatives. Moreover, many plastics are fortified with additives that enhance their strength, flexibility, and durability. While these additives serve their purpose, they can significantly prolong the lifespan of products if they end up as litter.

The pace at which plastics are being manufactured is nothing short of alarming. In fact, half of all plastics ever produced have been made in the last two decades alone. This exponential growth is staggering; plastic production has surged from a mere 2.3 million tons in 1950 to a mind-boggling 448 million tons in 2015. Since the 1970s, the rate of plastic production has outpaced that of any other material, and if this trend continues, it’s projected to double by 2050, reaching an astonishing 1,100 million tons. This rapid increase in plastic production underscores the urgent need for change.

One million plastic bottles are purchased every minute, while up to 5 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide yearly.

How does plastic enter our Seas ?

It’s a startling fact that most of the plastic waste and debris in our oceans comes from land, primarily due to the role of major rivers. These rivers, like conveyor belts, gather more and more debris as they flow downstream. Astonishingly, 1,000 rivers are responsible for nearly 80% of global annual riverine plastic emissions into the ocean, with small urban rivers being the most polluting. Which is equivalent to dumping a rubbish truck (1 ton) of plastic into the ocean per minute. Once in the sea, a significant amount of plastic debris remains in coastal waters. However, when caught in ocean currents, it can be transported across the globe. The current situation is dire, with 75- 199 million tons of plastic found in our oceans and daily estimates ranging from 0.8- 2.7 million metric tons. This figure could triple to 23-37 million tons a year by 2040 if we don’t act now.

8 million pieces of plastic make their way into the ocean daily

Stopping Plastic Pollution:

In many parts of the world, cleaning up plastic waste is a major challenge, especially in remote areas. Once plastic enters the ocean, it becomes extremely difficult to remove. This is because only 1% of marine plastic is visible on the surface, while 94% has already sunk to the seafloor. Additionally, once plastic breaks down into microplastics and disperses throughout the open ocean, it becomes virtually impossible to recover.

At Think Ocean, we advocate for addressing the issue at its source by preventing plastic waste from entering the seas in the first place. Our focus is on rivers through our Horizon mission project with the EU, aiming to make a significant impact with our stop-at-source technology.