3 Causes of Ocean Plastic Pollution

Photo by Jasmin Sessler

World Water Day is a time to celebrate the beauty of our marine environment, its biodiversity and all of nature surrounded by water. It's also a time to reflect and give back to the planet. Individuals and corporations are contributing to climate change and pollution every day, whether it's through car emissions, factory waste or fossil fuels. Plastic pollution is something that's also harming the environment — specifically, our oceans. 

This World Water Day, it's important to read up on and take steps towards improving your own sustainability and relationship to the marine environment. Part of this entails raising awareness of the causes of ocean plastic pollution. 

On average, the world is getting hotter each year. The production of plastics gives off greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to this yearly warming.

Both individual consumers and corporations contribute to plastic pollution. However, did you know that recycling exportation and outsourcing can also leave plastic in the ocean? 

From these three causes of ocean plastic pollution, you can change your life in sustainable and meaningful ways.

1. Consumerism

Individuals have a massive impact on ocean pollution, and it's time to take responsibility. The growing demand for sustainability is something that can no longer wait. The Earth needs better care, and that can start on an individual level. 

Littering is one of the biggest ways that plastic ends up in the ocean. When one person does it, it may not seem like a big deal. However, just one piece of plastic can harm sea life and disrupt ecosystems. On beaches, one of the most common places for pollution, the litter will end up in the ocean. It all adds up. 

Single-use plastic is one of the most common materials for products all over the world, but it affects all wildlife. You may recall the movement regarding plastic straws and turtles in 2018. One video sent the world into action, leading to an awareness of the harm plastic can do. However, eliminating plastic straws alone isn't enough.

Why is plastic still so common, then? In short, it's cheap. Sustainability requires a massive reduction in plastic-use, though. This is a change you can make in your daily life. Plastic may be less expensive in the moment, but reusable items offer a long-term return on investment. 

You can make the switch to glass, porcelain or metal products. The differences between bottled and filtered water can lead to an easy switch. Reusable bags in place of plastic grocery or shopping bags, too, can make all the difference. 

2. Manufacturing

Corporations have evaded pollution and sustainability conversations in the past — the focus was commonly on how consumers can make a difference. While that is largely true, environmental activists are now holding businesses accountable. 

Production of plastics burns a significant amount of carbon emissions. Further, corporations that don't dispose of their plastic waste properly add to landfills or affect the ocean. Many companies' plastic products show up across the continents due to pollution. 

Additionally, the more plastic they produce, the more consumers will buy. This leads to more litter and ocean pollution. Cutting down on the production of plastic and opting for glass would reduce this damage. 

Societal pressure can play a role in holding corporations accountable. The "save the turtles" movement led to big companies all over the world eliminating their plastic straws. Sustainability requires more pressure, though, and more of an increase in reusable and upcycled products. 

This Earth Day, you can make the switch to sustainable products. You can also raise awareness of the issues that lie with plastic manufacturing. This sort of production is on par with littering as one of the worst forms of ocean pollution. 

3. Exporting and Outsourcing

Recycling is one of the best ways to make sure you're doing your part, but unfortunately, it has flaws of its own. The equivalent of 68,000 shipping containers of plastic from the United States was exported to developing countries in 2018. 

Workers in these countries may not have the resources or regulations to properly recycle the materials. Thus, it can end up in oceans or landfills. The process of shipping the recyclables to another country entails burning significant amounts of fuel to transport it. On top of that, plastics are lightweight, so wind can blow them off the ship. 

Incineration is another option for disposing of plastics in a nonsustainable way. Some regulations allow this practice depending on location. The burning process releases carbon emissions. 

Either way, plastics get mishandled. In the ocean, this adds up. Pollution can be found in bodies of water throughout the world. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, for example, is a major disruptor of aquatic life. 

The spread of plastic pollution continues to harm sea life, which ingests the plastics. When humans then eat seafood, they can risk consuming microplastics as well. This is the chain of ocean plastic pollution.

What Can You Do to Help?

Switching to reusable products is one of the biggest steps you can take. Doing your part to prevent litter is another. 

Movements, though, are what get other people involved. They raise awareness and hold certain people or companies accountable. 

With awareness and direct action, this Earth Day, you can bring about sustainable change.