How Do Plastics End Up in the Oceans?

A truckload of plastic enters our oceans every single minute. The more plastic we produce, the more plastic ends up in our beautiful seas. Carried on the wind and by the flow of ocean currents, plastics have invaded ecosystems around the globe. Even uninhabited islands in the Pacific and Arctic are getting inundated with plastic pollution.

Some predict there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050. This is scary, as plastic pollution in the oceans seriously endangers marine life. It can injure and trap turtles, dolphins, and whales, as well as confuse birds and other aquatic species into thinking it’s food.

Even when plastic breaks into tiny pieces known as microplastics, it remains harmful to sea life and nature in general. The effects on humans consuming seafood affected by microplastics are largely unknown, but some early studies show they could cause cell death and allergic reactions.

As plastic pollution is a man-made problem, it’s not as hard as many may think to stop using single-use plastics and retrain ourselves to carry reusable bags, bottles, mugs, and utensils.

But, there are other, hidden ways that plastics enter the oceans, and in order to stop these sources, we have to educate ourselves on their pathways. So how do plastics reach the oceans?

Litter

Litter dropped on the street, in the park, in the forest, and on the beach doesn’t stay there. Through rainwater and wind, this loose trash gets carried and blown into drains. And drains lead to streams and rivers, which usually flow into our seas.

Landfills

All the plastics we dump in the trash bin—and even many of the plastics we sort for recycling—end up in huge piles in landfills or dumps. There, plastic is often broken down into smaller pieces and blown across land and waterways because it’s so lightweight. And once it hits the waterways, it eventually ends up going on an endless trip around the world’s oceans.

Оur Bathrooms and Washing Machines

Plastics can even reach the ocean from the drains in our bathrooms and from our washing machines. You might be surprised to learn that toothpaste often contains tiny micro plastic balls that are washed down the sink, and much of our clothing is made with synthetic, petroleum-derived fibers that are shed in the washing machine.

The Party Guest Who Never Leaves

While glitter and confetti are fun to throw around, both are made from plastics that break down and become lethal to our oceans. Eventually, these tiny plastics can end up in the food chain as plankton and shellfish ingest it.

Big changes start with small steps, and we ALL have the power to make a difference. What will you do to start cutting the plastic out of your life?