Plastic Pollution Facts

It’s estimated that there is over 200 million tons of plastic already in the ocean, with about 13 million tons added each year. That’s the equivalent of a garbage truck full of plastic dumped into the ocean every minute. Scientists estimate that by 2050, there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish by weight.

The majority of ocean plastic comes from land-based sources, such as litter, poorly managed waste systems, and plastic products carried by wind or rain into rivers and eventually the sea. Around 80% of ocean plastic originates on land, while the remaining 20% comes from marine sources like fishing gear, shipping debris, and discarded nets (often called ghost nets).

Plastic pollution has devastating effects on marine life, affecting creatures of all sizes, from plankton to whales. The two primary dangers are ingestion and entanglement.

• Ingestion: Many marine animals mistake plastic for food. For example, sea turtles often confuse plastic bags with jellyfish. When animals eat plastic, it can block their digestive systems, leading to starvation. Even small plastics, like microplastics, can be ingested by plankton, fish, and other sea creatures, which means plastics are working their way up the food chain—including into the seafood humans consume.
• Entanglement: Marine animals like fish, dolphins, and seabirds can get tangled in plastic debris, such as fishing nets or packaging materials. Entanglement can cause injuries, restrict movement, and lead to drowning or death.

In addition to these direct threats, plastics can release toxic chemicals as they break down, further harming marine ecosystems. These chemicals can disrupt hormone systems and impact the reproductive health of marine species.

Plastic doesn’t fully biodegrade; instead, it breaks down into smaller pieces over hundreds to thousands of years. For example, a plastic bottle can take 450 years or more to decompose, while fishing lines can last up to 600 years.

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, less than 5mm in size, that come from broken-down larger plastics or products like cosmetics and synthetic clothing. They’re difficult to clean up and are found in oceans, rivers, soil, and even the air we breathe. Microplastics are ingested by marine animals and can transfer toxic chemicals throughout the food chain.

Humans are affected through the consumption of seafood that contains microplastics, exposure to toxic chemicals leached from plastics, and economic impacts such as lost tourism, damaged fisheries, and costly beach cleanups.

Countries with inadequate waste management systems, particularly in Asia, contribute the most ocean plastic. However, all nations are responsible, as plastic waste can travel long distances through rivers, wind, and ocean currents.

While completely cleaning up ocean plastic is a monumental challenge, at Pacific Plastic Salvage we’re making real progress toward slowing down and eventually reversing the problem. Our approach focuses on both removing plastic and turning it into a resource to reduce future pollution.

One of our most exciting projects is the development of an autonomous ship designed to collect plastic pollution from oceans and coastlines. This vessel will work independently to locate, gather, and transport plastic waste to recycling facilities, allowing us to cover more ground and remove more debris than ever before.

You can reduce plastic waste by using reusable products (bags, bottles, straws), supporting bans on single-use plastics, recycling properly, and participating in local cleanup events!