What is ocean bound plastic waste?
Ocean bound plastic waste is plastic waste that enters the marine environment and eventually ends up in the ocean. And it is spread up due to the following things :
- Coastal communities
- Rivers and waterways
- Landfills
- Ships and fishing vessels
Ocean bound plastic waste can be in the form of large items, such as bottles and bags, or small pieces, such as microplastics. Pieces of plastic that are less than 5 millimetres in size are called microplastics. They can come from larger pieces of plastic that break down over time, or they can be manufactured directly.
Why does ocean bound plastic waste matter?
Ocean bound plastic waste is a major environmental problem. It can:
- Pollute beaches and coastlines
- Harm marine life
- Enter the food chain
- Threaten human health
When ocean bound plastic waste pollutes beaches and coastlines, it can make them unsightly and unsafe for people to use. It can also harm marine life, which can get entangled in plastic waste or mistake it for food.
When marine life eats plastic waste, it can enter the food chain. This means that humans could potentially ingest plastic waste when they eat seafood. Plastic waste can contain harmful chemicals, which could pose a risk to human health.
How to stop ocean bound plastic waste
There are a number of things that can be done to stop ocean bound plastic waste, including:
- Reducing plastic consumption
- Recycling plastic properly
- Encouraging businesses that are working to reduce plastic pollution
- Getting involved in community cleanup initiatives
Reducing plastic consumption is one of the best ways to stop ocean bound plastic waste. This means avoiding single-use plastics whenever possible and choosing reusable alternatives. For example, you can bring your own reusable bags when you go shopping and use a reusable water bottle instead of buying bottled water.
Plastic recycling is also important. This means rinsing out food containers and removing labels. You should also check with your local recycling program to see what types of plastic they accept.
Encouraging businesses that are working to reduce plastic pollution is another way to help. You can help these businesses by purchasing their products and services. For example, you can buy products that are made from recycled plastic or that are packaged in compostable materials.
Getting involved in community cleanup initiatives is a great way to help remove plastic waste from beaches and waterways. There are a number of organizations that organize cleanup events. You can find a cleanup event near you by searching online or contacting your local environmental organization.
Conclusion
Ocean bound plastic waste is a major environmental problem, but there are a number of things that can be done to stop it. By reducing plastic consumption, recycling plastic properly, supporting businesses that are working to reduce plastic pollution, and getting involved in community cleanup initiatives, we can all make a difference.
