The Ocean Plastic Problem

PLASTIC ENTERS THE OCEAN BY LAND DISPERSAL

Coastal land-based human dispersal account for 80% of ocean plastic pollution, globally. Over 6.5 million tons of litter enter the world’s Ocean each year. 50% is long-lasting plastic that will drift for hundreds of years before it is degraded. SOURCE

EXCESS PLASTIC PRODUCTION

Over 220 million tons of plastic are produced each year. We must choose to reduce our needs and habits surrounding plastic use, especially single-use plastic. We now have many alternatives that biodegrade safely that could help with the plastic ocean problems. SOURCE

PLASTIC MANAGEMENT IS DIFFICULT

Plastics are serving a needed function, yet appropriate disposal is often not addressed. Some plastics have toxic components and the recycling techniques have not kept up with new plastic production. SOURCE

TRILLIONS + PIECES OF PLASTIC

How many tons of plastic pollution is in the ocean? More than 5 trillion pieces of plastic, weighing nearly 269,000 tons, are littering the world's oceans according to a study by the scientific journal PLOS One. The study is the first of its kind to gather data from around the world on floating plastic garbage in the ocean. READ THE STUDY

PLASTIC RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE

Several EU countries recycle 60-70% of used plastics and recover over 80% through integrated waste and resource management. We are currently recycling 90% of the ocean marine plastics and debris we recover on our expeditions, keeping much of it out of landfills. SOURCE

PLASTIC BREAKS DOWN INTO MICRO-PLASTIC

Small weathered micro-plastics are now found within digestive systems of sea life, birds and mammals globally. They are also found in our seafood, our commercial beers, wines and bottled waters and were recently found to be falling in rain, yes, plastic rain from deteriorated plastic! LEARN MORE

PLASTICS IMPACT ON MARINE LIFE

More than a million seabirds and over 100,000 marine mammals die every year from plastic. Every day, more and more marine creatures are dying and washing ashore full of plastic and trash. SOURCE

THE 5 PLASTIC OCEAN GYRES

Plastic and debris is concentrated in 5 areas called gyres as a result of oceanic currents, which continue to grow as they are constantly replenished with new plastic and marine debris. LEARN MORE

GREAT PACIFIC GARBAGE PATCH

The North Pacific Gyre's great pacific garbage patch is a soup of plastic floating and deteriorating in the ocean twice the size of Texas and a rapidly growing monstrosity on our planet. LEARN MORE

OCEAN PLASTIC IS A COMMODITY

A change in perceptions, could help change our strategies around plastic use and "disposal". The marine debris OLF collects is being transformed into packaging, products, art, a mixed oil fuel and otherwise being recycled. EPR means we can create a proper circular economy for plastics LEARN MORE

0 TRILLION

PLASTIC PIECES ESTIMATED TO BE IN THE OCEAN

0 TONNES

PLASTIC WEIGHT IN THE OCEAN

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THE PROBLEM IS CLEAR

Model results estimate the global number of floating plastic pieces to be:

The two oceans of the Northern Hemisphere contain 56% of all particles and 57% of the total weight.
In the Southern Hemisphere the Indian Ocean appears to have a greater particle count and weight than the South Atlantic and South Pacific oceans combined.

CLICK TO VIEW THE INTERACTIVE MAP IMAGE IN THE BACKGROUND

FROM “SAILING SEAS OF PLASTIC” VISUALIZING FIELD EXPEDITION DATA FROM 2007-2013.
EACH DOT REPRESENTS 20KG, ESTIMATES ARE THAT THERE ARE OVER 13 MILLION DOTS.