THE OCEAN PLASTIC POLLUTION PROBLEM

FACTS ABOUT OCEAN PLASTIC POLLUTION

ENTERS BY LAND DISPERSAL
Coastal land-based human dispersal account for 80% of ocean plastic pollution, globally.
EXCESS PRODUCTION
Over 220 million tons of plastic are produced each year. We must choose to reduce our need.
MANAGEMENT IS DIFFICULT
Plastics are serving a needed function, yet appropriate disposal is often not addressed.
PLASTIC FILLED OCEANS
Five trillion individual pieces of plastic are estimated to be floating in our ocean.
RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE
Several EU countries recover 80% of used plastics through integrated waste and resource management.
MICRO-PLASTICS
Small weathered micro-plastics, are now found within digestive systems of sea life, birds and mammals globally.
MARINE LIFE IMPACT
More than a million seabirds and over 100,000 marine mammals die every year from plastic.
THE 5 GARBAGE GYRES
Plastic and debris is concentrated in 5 areas called gyres as a result of oceanic currents.
GREAT PACIFIC GARBAGE PATCH
The North Pacific Gyre's great garbage patch is twice the size of Texas and rapidly growing.
USED PLASTIC AS A COMMODITY
A change in perceptions, could help change our strategies around plastic use and "disposal".

INFORMATIVE VIDEOS

Watch these selected videos to give yourself a good overview of the plastic pollution problem we are facing.

TED TALKS, The Ocean Plastic Problem

Dianna Cohen: Tough truths about plastic pollution

Plastic Pollution Coalition

Narrated by Jeff Bridges

PLASTIC OCEAN INFOGRAPHIC

OCEAN PLASTIC POLLUTION PROBLEM INFOGRAPHIC

LEARN ABOUT OUR SOLUTIONS & STRATEGIES

From user-generated hotspot mapping and cleanup expeditions to education and plastic to fuel conversion technology!
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