Plastic Pollution And Its Effects

Plastic Pollution has become a global issue in our oceans. Although we hear about this from time to time the problem has grown tremendously beyond our knowledge. There are a growing number of animals dying each day due to plastic particles that either get stuck around their head, or that they swallow. If we do not stop plastic pollution in our oceans the ocean will eventually lose its habitats and our ecosystem will be changed forever.

In 1988, it was determined that the United States alone, was producing 30 million tonnes of plastic per year (Derraik, J.G.B., 2002). This can be compared with the global and annual production of 260 million tonnes of plastic as of 2012 (Pearson, E., 2014). Plastics are lightweight, durable, and cheap to make. This makes them incredibly easy to sell and manufacture. However, these attributes are many of the reasons why plastics are the most prominent type of marine debris, and why they are a serious hazard to various ecosystems and the organisms that live within them (Derraik, J.G.B.,

Every year, millions of tons of plastic are tossed into the ocean, harming all types of marine animals as well as the environment. Hundreds of marine mammals like whales and dolphins are found washed ashore filled with bottle caps, plastic bags and basically anything they can swallow. Not only does plastic pollution harm marine life, but it affects the entire ecosystem. If a predator is dependent on a certain species for prey and the predator has a role in the environment, it is important for the prey to not be disturbed by pollution. If that species of prey were to go extinct, then the predator species could be seriously impacted as a result. These problems warrant the need for more research into the magnitude and causes of plastic

One of the issues that is currently harming the ocean is the presence of pollution. Studies have shown that over the past thirty years, people have increased their use of plastics and synthetic materials and recently it has become even more abundant (Laist). The amount of plastic debris that has entered the ocean is partially due to people 's inability to properly dispose of plastic and waste. This has immeasurable effects on the physical ecosystem, as well as the creatures who inhabit it. While plastic is very buoyant, it takes a very long time to degrade, and it is usually eaten by

Plastic and plastic based products have turned the American society into a single use, throw away lifestyle (Eriksen, 154). Due to the introduction of plastic to everyday life, it has become a main source of pollution and liter to the Earth. Whether it is on the side of the road, being collected in large masses such as in landfills, or located in the depths of our oceans, plastic has integrated itself into our environment as well as our society. However, no one environment sees the most impact from plastic pollution than our waterways and oceans. Plastic waste can enter the ocean a multitude of different ways such as through illegal offshore dumping, storm-water drainage, lost fishing equipment, overflowing during high-volume rain events, improper or lack of sewage treatment of water, or simply by blowing off of piers,

The overuse of plastics in today's society has become major environmental issue for our oceans. Plastic pollution is the dumping, littering, or disposing of any type of man-made plastic that has been produced and has ended up in our ocean and has not been recycled.

Plastic has become a staple, and the use of plastic products is abundant in everyday life even if it is not apparent. The production and use of plastics has increased dramatically over the last sixty years, and a vast majority of plastic being produced is not recovered after it is used. It is clear that much of what we have today would not be possible without plastics, but the fact that it is not biodegradable and toxic creates a product that just takes up a vast amount of space and poisons animals. The overflow of plastic eventually makes its way into the ocean and is affecting marine life at an alarming rate. Plastic debris pollutes oceans all over the world as it breaks down into smaller pieces and are ingested by a large range of species. Animals exposed eat the plastic products and it causes health problems throughout the marine ecosystem. Some humans rely on these animals for food without knowing that they have been exposed to toxic products. The smallest organisms or exposure to chemicals can wreak havoc on the human body causing serious illness. It is clear that much of what we have today would not be possible without plastics, but the fact that plastic is not biodegradable and toxic creates a product that takes up a vast amount of space and poisons animals. Plastics contain chemicals that can interfere with the bodies natural functions and can cause adverse health issues if left untreated. Plastic pollution is rampant all over the globe exposing everyone

Our waste such as plastic and contaminated water makes its way to the ocean. There, it has a devastating effect on marine life. “5.25 trillion plastic particles weighing some 269,000 tons are floating on the surface of the sea” (Seltenrich). In Seltenrich’s article, “The World Bank estimates that 1.4 billion tons of trash are generated globally each year, 10% of it plastic.” “Plastics that reach the ocean will gradually break down into ever-smaller pieces due to sunlight exposure, oxidation, and the physical action of waves, currents, and grazing by fish and birds.” (Seltenrich). A marine life that is mostly affected is the sea turtles. The sea turtles either consume the plastic or become trap in it, or even both. According to Lowenberg, ingestion of plastic can “result in poor health, reduced growth rates and reproductive output, or death”. Their nesting sites and the baby sea turtles are also at risk. The baby sea turtles can become trap to the plastic as they make their way from the polluted shore into the ocean.

Due to humans’ excessive use of plastic and our inability to properly dispose of our waste, our ocean is unfortunately facing the consequences. This increasing problem is due to the fact that as plastic breaks down, it truly doesn’t completely decompose, instead it turns into microscopic pieces of plastic known as “microplastics”. These tiny pieces of plastic cover every inch of our ocean and there is nowhere on earth they cant be found. In addition research has shown that these microplastics act as sponge for chemicals existing in our ocean and when marine life inevitable consumes these toxic pieces of plastic it bioaccumulates through the food chain until eventually reaching humans. Overall, because our plastic pollution is increasing

We 're treating the oceans like a trash bin: around 80 percent of marine litter originates on land, and most of that is plastic. Plastic that pollutes our oceans and waterways has severe impacts on our environment and our economy. Seabirds, whales, sea turtles and other marine life are eating marine plastic pollution and dying from choking, intestinal blockage and starvation. Scientists are investigating the long-term impacts of toxic pollutants absorbed, transported, and consumed by fish and other marine life, including the potential effects on human health.

“Our ocean contains 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris. Of that mass, 260,000 tons float on the service, while four billion plastic microfibers per square kilometer litter the deep sea.” (Laura Parker). 80% Of marine debris comes from trash and debris in urban runoff like land-based sources. Key components of land-based sources include litter, trash and debris from construction, ports and marinas, commercial and industrial facilities, and trash blown out of garbage containers, trucks, and landfills. Ocean-based sources such as overboard items from ships and fishing gear, are the other 20%. Food containers and packaging are the largest component of the solid waste stream (“The Problem of Marine Plastic Pollution”). These items, together with plastic bags, also represent the largest component of marine debris. Packaging and single use disposable products are not only present in marine debris, but they represent an unsustainable use of precious resources like oil, trees, energy sources, and water.

Although many recognize that there is a problem with plastic pollution in the ocean many are unaware of how extreme this problem actually is and how quickly it is progressing. Plastic was first introduced in the 1950’s and it only took 10 years for scientists to begin to recognize the presence of plastic in the ocean. In 1972, J.B Colton of the National Marines Fisheries Service in Rhode Island published articles in Science warning that the toxic from plastic in the ocean was at its all-time worse and he predicted that it would not be long until the toxic would affect marine animals (Moore 1). “The increasing production of plastic, combined with present waste-disposal practices, will probably lead to greater concentrations on the sea surface” (Colton 1). Later on that same year the 1972 Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act was approved and passed by the U.S. Congress in order to regulate ocean dumping of waste and provided a research program on ocean dumping. However, this does not solve the problem of the amount of plastic in the ocean. What was not realized at this time was the fact that ocean dumping was not the only

This research question aims to think deeper on the circumstances of the overuse of plastic and paper, and what could happen more to the animals/birds, our environment, and our bodies if consumers keep on using plastic and paper products. This research question should be asked to raise awareness to users and most importantly designers, so they consider using other eco friendly material in designing their products.

ng produced at alarming rates recently and according to (Jenna Jambeck) over 275 million metric tons of plastic was created in 2010 and 12.7 million tons entered the ocean. Effects on people, environment, animals, where does it go?

These toxic microbeads are labeled as “polyethylene(PE), polypropylene, (PP), polyethylene (PET), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polytetraflouoroethylene (PTFE) and nylon” (Aldred). In addition to these microbeads, many consumer products are made of polystryrene and polyvinyl, used in larger items, which then disintegrate into smaller pieces, which are also considered micro plastics (Tox Town). This litter is added from urban and agricultural runoff, waste management companies, and ocean dumping by cruise ships, and waste from shipping and fishing companies (Tox Town). Even the simple task of washing clothes in a washing machine releases nylon and synthetic fibers micro plastics into the water supply (Krieger). This plastic is not biodegradable, so all of this used manmade consumer plastic must go somewhere. Unfortunately, as a society, we have just dumped this pollution into our environment and particularly into our water supply.