Plastic has become ubiquitous because of its convenience, but it has high environmental costs. Every year, 400 million tons of plastic waste is produced worldwide, 60 percent of which ends up in the environment or landfills. America is the world’s largest polluter of plastic, producing 42 million tons of plastic waste each year. China’s production rate is almost double and more than the combined production of all EU countries. Between 1.13 and 2.24 million tons of this waste ends up in the ocean and the environment every year, according to a US congressional report. More than 8 million tons of plastic enter the oceans every year, posing a serious threat to marine life and ecosystems. Currently, 40% of the ocean’s surface is covered in plastic waste. Without much action, scientists warn that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2030. If current trends continue, ocean plastic pollution could reach 29 million tons per year by 2040. However, experts say that the reduction of girls in the production of plastic and improving waste management can reduce this trend to 80%.
The effects of plastic pollution on marine animals are devastating, with around 100,000 marine animals dying each year from plastic packaging. Abandoned fishing gear adds between 500,000 and one million tons of trash to the ocean each year, causing injury and death from entanglement and ingestion. Plastic pollution has also entered the human food chain. Studies show that people consume about five grams of plastic per week, which is about the size of a bottle cap. Over time, that adds up to 44 pounds of plastic. Plastic manufacturing is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. In the United States, 232 million tons of greenhouse gases are produced each year—a number that is expected to exceed emissions by 2030. The plastic manufacturing process is destructive, releasing many methane, a greenhouse gas. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem of plastic pollution. It is estimated that 25,900 tons of plastic pollution has entered the oceans due to the increased use of disposable masks and personal protective equipment (PPE). Studies show that 8.4 million tons of plastic waste has been produced since the beginning of the epidemic. Plastic pollution is a serious environmental issue that needs urgent action. From polluting the oceans to entering the food chain, the impact is widespread. Tackling this problem requires global cooperation and efforts to reduce plastic production and improve recycling systems.