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This large amount of plastic waste enters the environment and causes problems throughout the ecosystem; for example, studies suggest that the bodies of 90% of seabirds contain plastic debris. [ 15 ] [ 16 ] In some areas there have been significant efforts to reduce the prominence of free range plastic pollution, through reducing plastic ...
Marine pollution caused by plastic substances is recognized as an issue of the highest magnitude, from a pollution perspective. [27] A majority of plastics used in people's day to day lives are never recycled. Single use plastics of this kind contribute significantly to the 8 million tons of plastic waste found in the ocean each year. [2]
Plasticosis is a form of fibrotic scarring that is caused by small pieces of plastic which inflame the digestive tract.. A 2023 study by Hayley Charlton-Howard, Alex Bond, Jack Rivers-Auty, and Jennifer Lavers, found that plastic pollution caused disease in seabirds.
These human-caused collections of plastic and other debris are responsible for ecosystem and environmental problems that affect marine life, contaminate oceans with toxic chemicals, and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Once waterborne, marine debris becomes mobile.
Almost all plastic is non-biodegradable and without recycling, spreads across the environment [111] [112] where it causes plastic pollution. For example, as of 2015, approximately 8 million tonnes of waste plastic enters the oceans annually, damaging oceanic ecosystems and forming ocean garbage patches. [113]
While visible pollution caused by larger plastic items is well-documented, the hidden threat posed by nanoplastics remains under-explored. These particles originate from the degradation of larger plastics and are now found in various environmental matrices, including water, soil, and air.
Over the last few years, marine plastic debris has started to be recognised as a relevant issue also in terms of its governance and regulatory complexities, which are also due to the fact that it is a transboundary, "multifaceted" problem, with multiple causes, sources and actors involved, and that requires integrated approaches and solutions ...
The problem is mainly in a lack of motivation to start making a change. But examples of effective ways to help reduce packaging pollution include banning the use of single-use plastics, more social awareness and education, promotion of eco-friendly alternatives, public pressure, voluntary cleaning up, and adopting reusable or biodegradable bags.