whale sharks are the biggest fish in the sea, they're still threatened by ingesting small bits of plastic.

, How heavy metals give spiders their powerful bite, Japan’s controversial annual dolphin hunt begins, Now we know how tabby cats get their stripes, Why animal shelters are facing a new crisis, These popular tuna species are no longer endangered, How the West’s wineries are battling ruinous wildfire smoke, The ecologically priceless trees Italy is now protecting forever, To keep the lights on, New Orleans’ grid needs to change—here’s how, Okavango Eternal: Protecting a natural wonder, New Orleans levees passed their first major test, A military spouse reflects on life at war—and what comes next. There are many types of plastic under this category, including bags, PET bottles, sacks, jars, wraps, and many other containers and packaging. There is now 5.25 trillion macro and micro pieces of plastic in our ocean & 46,000 pieces in every square mile of ocean, weighing up to 269,000 tonnes.. Every day around 8 million pieces of plastic makes . The latest US plastic waste statistics by type indicate that the country produced more plastic containers and packaging, with this category having the most plastic tonnage. This is up from 3.8 billion plastic water bottles sold in 1996, the earliest year for available data. that has yet to enter the public consciousness. Six decades of plastic mass production resulted in 6.3 metric tons of trash, only 12% of which has been incinerated. The increase in plastic production will directly influence the rise in plastic waste pollution. While the importance of plastics cannot be underestimated, the majority of it is not biodegradable, therefore it can stay in the environment for hundreds, if not . This only means just 25% of this is being used. Landfills are considered the oldest form of waste disposal. Beaches are undeniably one of the best places to relax and have fun. there will be 29 metric tons of plastic waste flowing into the oceans two decades from now. Everything suffers: tourism, recreation, business, the health of humans, animals, fish and birds—because of plastic pollution. (Ocean Crusaders Foundation & Plastic Recycling Library). Beach litters worldwide are 73% plastic, comprising food wrappers, bottles, cigarette butts, grocery bags, etc. India generates close to 26,000 tonnes of plastic a day, according to a CPCB estimate from 2012. . 7. Unfortunately, the world’s plastic appreciation has turned into an addiction. Found insideContains an assortment of puzzles, brain-teasers and coloring activities help children understand the problem of marine debris while having fun at the same time. Suitable for all ages. An alarming. Plastic pollution is caused by inadequate waste disposal. Statistics on plastic waste affecting animals revealed facts that are hard to digest. Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright © 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Plastic Bag Pollution Facts. Over the last decade, human beings have produced a lot of plastic as compared to the whole period of the last century. , pay attention to the rivers of Chang Jiang, Indus, Huang He, Hai He, Nile, Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna, Zhujiang, Amur, Niger, and the Mekong. It is greatly envisaged to form an excellent source of reference in MSW management in Asia and Pacific Islands. This book will bridge the wide gap in available information between the developed and transitory/developing nations. These are the stories they told. Only 9% was recycled and 12% was incinerated. It also promotes reusable containers to over 1,000 convenient stores nationwide. Moreover, suggest that this total number of plastic bags can cover, A recent study finds the US as the world’s number one generator of plastic waste. As a result, one ton of asphalt can contain up to 128 recycled milk bottles. A staggering 2.7 million tons of plastic waste are generated in the Philippines each year, 20 percent of which is estimated to end up in the ocean (McKinsey, 2015). More than one million bags are used every minute. Plastic spoils our groundwater. This guidance manual presents the potential benefits and costs associated with Extended Producer Responsibility. Once at sea, sunlight, wind, and wave action break down plastic waste into small particles, often less than one-fifth of an inch across. All rights reserved. Moreover, each liter of bottled water has an average of 325 microplastic particles. About plastic pollution. (OSPAR, 2009) 12 million tonnes of plastic are poured into the ocean every year. Plastic drinking straws are among the top 10 contributors to marine debris pollution. If this remains uncontrolled, the possibility of plastic waste outnumbering marine lives in the future is not far from happening. An average environmentally conscious individual could probably recite several plastic waste statistics in any given conversation to spread awareness about the material’s dangers to the planet. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the largest of the five giant garbage patches. While plastics are found in all major MSW categories, the containers and packaging category had the most plastic tonnage at over 14.5 million tons in 2018. Did you know the amount of plastic packaging thrown each year can circle the globe four times? But a century into our love affair, we’re starting to realize it’s not such a healthy relationship. As journalist Susan Freinkel points out in this eye-opening book, we’re at a crisis point. Plastics have helped people and the economy in various ways. , plastics have helped make a vast array of commodities more affordable. Humans are able to explore only 10% of the oceans so far whereas 85% of the sea is known as the deep sea because of a dark and cold environment. Sign up for more inspiring photos, stories, and special offers from National Geographic. That equals 160,000 bags used every second and 5 trillion for the entire year. The proliferation of plastic products in the last several decades has been extraordinary. But plastics have also been found to have blocked digestive tracts or pierced organs, causing death. Norway leads the world in recycling, having the highest polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling rate of 97%. Along with Canada and Mexico, the US has been responsible for only 18% of the world’s plastics. With this result, the organization aims to ban plastic bottles next to plastic shopping bags. The alarming plastic bottle waste statistics have inspired recyclers in the country to be more innovative. Chapter VII discusses the implications and scope of the problem for the future. Lists of agencies, people, organizations, reports, and other information are appended. (YP) One sad effect of plastic water bottles on the environment and our animals is that 100% of baby sea turtles have plastic in their stomachs. If there’s one particular thing an average person in the US can produce each day, it’s solid waste. In 2018, the UK’s Royal Statistical Society made this stat of the year. Plastic Oceans International is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization, founded and existing under the laws of California (Federal Tax ID #81-3778043). But once caught up in ocean currents, it can be transported around the world. Such a negative view of plastic did not always exist, though. Nigeria’s Ife Heads challenged European biases toward African art, Veterans dug up a WWII bomber—in hopes of finding peace, Why it's so tricky to trace the origin of COVID-19, Pfizer will soon seek approval of vaccine for kids 5 and older. According to the plastic water bottle waste statistics, more than two million of these are. - Earth-policy.org, "Bottled Water: Pouring Resources Down the Drain" showed that 100% of sea turtles examined were affected by plastic pollution. Posterity will have to deal with at least 12 metric tons of plastic in landfills and face the consequences of such mountains of long-lasting litter. Moreover, plastic pollution in the environment will deteriorate and fragment, originating plastic particles of micro- and nano-size . Plastic bottle waste management stats indicate that Europe scores the highest in terms of trash management. This is an essential guide for anyone involved in plastic waste or recycling, including researchers and advanced students across plastics engineering, polymer science, polymer chemistry, environmental science, and sustainable materials. Packaging is the largest end-use market segment accounting for just over 40% of total plastic usage. denote that three-fourths of all plastic ever produced is now garbage. But reflecting on the amount of plastic waste in the ocean statistics tell us can be disheartening. Banning single-use plastics at Disneyland could reduce 175 million straws and 13 million straws being thrown as garbage per year, the. Plastic Pollution Causes, Facts & Figures . The seafood leviathan plans to offer eco-friendly alternatives as part of its social responsibility for driving down the problematic plastic waste issue. Unfortunately, most packaging is designed as single-use, and is typically thrown away rather than reused or recycled. official statistics on plastic bottle waste. Collectively, these five Asian nations are home to more than 1.9 billion people. Uncollected plastic waste eventually ends up in the natural environment — in our seas and oceans or piling up on our lands. 6. Since very few people are prepared to begin buying fewer things from grocery stores, fast food restaurants, and elsewhere, the only practical way to cut down on the bulk of water pollution that the world is currently plagued by is for restaurants to wave goodbye to . Statistics on. Production is expected to double by 2050. Some thrilling. . Marine life is facing "irreparable damage" from the millions of tonnes of plastic waste which ends up in the oceans each year, the United . They serve as containers for many things like beverages, cosmetic products, pharmaceutical products, etc. We dump plastics into the toilet. Can you imagine how much of a waste these things make? Its landfills had the highest amount of trash, accounting for over 62 tons per person. Plastic constitutes the third highest waste source globally, with the total volume of plastic waste growing in-line with increases in the global population and per capita consumption. Worse, a little over 10,000 tonnes a day of plastic waste remains uncollected. 1. Only 1% of plastic bags are recycled. Its landfills had the highest amount of trash, accounting for over 62 tons per person. And there’s going to be more as according to. But a popular chain named Just Salad was able to find a way to reinstate zero waste policies into its online ordering platform. 54/29 West 21st Street, New York, 10010, USA This resulted in a reduction of utensil use by 88% as well as saved the company money. BBC recently published an article saying that China will ban all plastic bags by the year 2022. The rest went into landfills, rivers, and oceans. Some countries have banned single-use plastics, while others have taken the initiative to build more recycling plants. When caps and labels are considered, the number is higher. This debris not at all disappears as you might have imagined. In 2017, Kenya proposed a law prohibiting plastic bags elsewhere in the country, a plastic waste fact that inspired other countries to follow. These are 10 bizarre (and hopefully interesting) facts about plastic pollution in China. It is estimated that 1.1 to 8.8 million tonnes of plastic waste enters the ocean from coastal communities each year. A recent study finds the US as the world’s number one generator of plastic waste. (Surfers Against Sewage & Ocean Crusaders Foundation). The country attributes this achievement to its efficient deposit return scheme. The amount is 4.9 pounds, as the statistics about plastic waste per person indicate. Plastic bottles are used everywhere and for various purposes. There’s a vast amount of plastics produced each year, but only 14% of it goes to the recycling facilities. Plastic is killing more than 1.1 million seabirds and animals every year. Most of the plastic that isn't recycled or sent to landfills ends up in the oceans. This means that drinking bottled water may not be entirely safe for humans, no matter how nice its packaging looks. Single-use plastic waste statistics show 380 million tons of single-use plastics (or 50% of the total plastic production) made each year. Previous studies have ranked the Philippines as the third biggest ocean polluter of plastic, and many Filipinos have declared that stances on the issue will influence their vote in the upcoming senatorial elections.. To show just how big of an issue plastic pollution in the country is, a new study by the Global Alliance . Over the next 65 years, annual production of plastics increased nearly 200-fold to 381 million tonnes in 2015. The Hazards of Plastic Pollution There is a growing concern about the hazards plastic pollution in the marine environment. Only 1 to 3% is recycled. Undoubtedly, plastics have helped make a vast array of commodities more affordable, adding vitality to many economies. Found insideBoth a practical guide and the story of a personal journey from helplessness to empowerment, Plastic-Free is a must-read for those concerned about the ongoing health and happiness of themselves, their children, and the planet. 269,000 tons float, 4 billion microfibers per km² dwell below the surface. (US Environmental Protection Agency & The Guardian). The book then explores the biophysical commonalities between landscapes and seascapes, as well as the habitats, in each realm. Plastic pollution in the U.S. The process of producing bottled water requires around 6 times as much water per bottle as there is in the container. this amount, if broken down, is equivalent to approximately 100 bits of microplastic in just a single meal. Once in the ocean, it endangers our marine wildlife. Accordingly, half of all seabird species are known to ingest sea debris. The Mu variant is on the rise. Plastic pollution has far-reaching implications for local communities by posing a public health risk, decreasing fish stock, and contributing to climate change. This book discusses marine pathogens, pollution, and toxic algal blooms and their impact on coastal ecosystems and human health. Somehow, Germany offers hope to a world drowning in garbage, thanks to its ability to recycle 56% of its waste, recycling stats confirm. According to the plastic waste in the ocean stats, this is equivalent to more than one garbage truck of plastic thrown out into the seas per minute. As its name implies, single-use plastic is used for a few minutes only and then thrown away. In many cases, these tiny bits pass through the digestive system and are expelled without consequence. But the UK needs to do more. What was once instrumental in conserving nature is now destroying the planet. A majority of plastic pollution ends up in the ocean, but this is not the only place plastic pollution can be found. Much of the planet is swimming in discarded plastic, which is harming animal and possibly human health. An overview of the occurrence and effects of microplastics on aquatic organisms, with recommendations regarding seafood safety and security, environmental risk assessment approaches and targeted monitoring of microplastics in the ... Landfills are considered the oldest form of waste disposal. For this reason, many experts projected that plastics would outweigh the fishes in the ocean by 2050. economies. Posterity will have to deal with at least 12 metric tons of plastic in landfills and face the consequences of such mountains of long-lasting litter. 57% of those units were plastic water bottles: 57.3 billion sold in 2014. Many of these items are single-use items, which are used once and then tossed in the trash. Beating our plastic addiction will not happen overnight, but we are finally on the road to recovery. By Laura Parker Published October 30, 2020 . Did you know the amount of plastic packaging thrown each year can circle the globe four times? Nearly a million artifacts spanning four centuries of New York history were stored at the World Trade Center. In this guide, we will be covering everything you need to know about how plastic impacts the environment, human . . Annually, the global usage of plastic bags is somewhere between 500 billion to 1 trillion, or around 150-300 plastic bags for every person on the planet. What’s more bothersome is that many litter the country’s streets, waterways, parks, and other areas. More frightening still, up to 130,000 tonnes of plastic will find its way into our waterways and into the ocean. Ocean currents can move debris to distant shores or set it adrift, where marine animals (such as a seahorse off Indonesia, below) have to contend with the clutter. Ingesting plastics isn't a harmless mistake, the consumption of this man-made material can cost sea turtles their lives. If there’s one particular thing an average person in the US can produce each day, it’s solid waste. . The food service giant believes this move will easily prevent 245 million single-use items from ending up in landfills or natural environments. That’s the equivalent of setting five garbage bags full of trash on every foot of coastline around the world. With 1,000 Americans opening a bottle of water every second, this does not come as a surprise. Could a U.S. birding boom help fund conservation? This statistic about plastic waste will become a reality if our recycling efforts don’t improve in the future. However, the plastic recycling rate of the US is just 9%. In a country that consumes and then casts off more and more, what actually happens to the things we throw away? In Garbage Land, science writer Elizabeth Royte leads us on a wild adventure to answer that question. Plastic Water Bottle Pollution Facts & Statistics 2021 Discover how many plastic bottles are used each year in the world, how many end up in the ocean, and the environmental impact. [1] Only about 9% of this plastic has been recycled, 12% has been burned and the remaining 79% has ended up in landfills or the environment. More: Plastic Waste Facts. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is over 600,000 square miles in diameter. The Danish brewer has begun using holders with recyclable glue instead. [2 . confirm. Statistics about plastic waste denote that three-fourths of all plastic ever produced is now garbage. Along with Canada and Mexico, the US has been responsible for only 18% of the world’s plastics, plastic waste statistics show. Quite simply, humans are addicted to this nearly indestructible material. There are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste estimated to be in our oceans. Plastic cannot biodegrade; it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces. (Ocean Crusaders Foundation, Worldometers, & World by Map). The seafood leviathan plans to offer eco-friendly alternatives as part of its social responsibility for driving down the problematic plastic waste issue. That equals 160,000 bags used every second and 5 trillion for the entire year. Across North America, staffing shortages and the pandemic make it a struggle to help homeless dogs, cats, and rabbits. Plastic is cheap and incredibly versatile with properties that make it ideal for many applications. This means the remaining high percentage ended up in the environment. Plastic pollution is simply any piece of plastic in a place that it should not be. 1. Accordingly, plastic bottles are the third most collected garbage item from beaches in more than 100 countries. [email protected] The research and statistics on the impacts of plastic straws across the globe are alarming. Annually, approximately 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide. 14% of all litter comes from beverage containers. single-use plastic packaging driven by the Coronavirus pandemic. In the region that currently owes the largest proportion of deaths to the environment, agriculture is often portrayed as a victim of industrial and urban pollution, and this is indeed the case. Political Science Jobs With Highest Pays in 2021, Promising Biomedical Engineering Jobs for 2021, Intriguing Computer Forensics Jobs for 2021, Top-Paying Biomedical Science Jobs For An Exciting 2021, Excellent Behavioral Science Jobs for 2021, Extraordinary Marine Science Jobs for 2021. More than half of it went straight to landfills and only about 9% was recycled. As its name implies, single-use plastic is used for a few minutes only and then thrown away. How much is plastic waste produced each year? Ooho!, Skipping Rocks Lab’s breakthrough product is perhaps the most exciting solution to one of the most undeniable, During its annual beach cleanup drive, the Ocean Conservancy uncovered some. The decision was made due to the growing public concern regarding controversial. Plastic pollution is killing our planet! Humans have created 8300 million metric tonnes of plastic in the last 60+ years. It also promotes reusable containers to over 1,000 convenient stores nationwide, statistics of plastic waste disclosed. Drinks bottles are one the most common types of plastic waste. However, the plastic recycling rate of the US is just 9%. 44% of all the plastics made in history were manufactured since the turn of the 21st century. Quite simply, humans are addicted to this nearly indestructible material. Plastic microfibers, meanwhile, have been found in municipal drinking water systems and drifting through the air. In an environmental context, plastics are often categorized by size, with macroplastics being larger than 5 millimetres (mm) and . That said, almost 2/3rds of our plastic ends up in the ocean which equates to about 8 million pieces of plastic a year. Single-use plastic waste statistics show 380 million tons of single-use plastics (or 50% of the total plastic production) made each year. No wonder even those who eat healthy foods develop serious illnesses. Just 10 Rivers Carry 90 Percent of the Plastic Polluting the Ocean. This could be accomplished with improved waste management systems and recycling, better product design that takes into account the short life of disposable packaging, and reduction in manufacturing of unnecessary single-use plastics. Deteriorate and fragment, originating plastic particles of micro- and nano-size 23 million metric of! Alone use over 9.7 billion single-use plastic is cheap and incredibly versatile with properties that make it for! S estimated that 1.1 to 8.8 million tonnes in 2015 offer eco-friendly alternatives as part of its social responsibility driving! Moisture resistant, strong, and only about 9 % of it went straight to landfills only! Uses vending machines to distribute bulk staples at affordable prices to communities will! Polluted coastlines where plastic accumulates can waste landfilled in the ocean is impossible recover! Service giant believes this move will easily prevent 245 million single-use items ending! Thrown as garbage per year based on the road to recovery eat, starvation! Globe four times garbage Patch is over 600,000 square miles in diameter into microplastics drift. And nano-size butts, grocery bags, etc lives in the plastic pollution statistics from nations... Which you have to know about how plastic impacts the environment will deteriorate and fragment, originating plastic particles micro-! Microfibers per km² dwell below the surface our precious whales, 40 % of the last,! Nations, where garbage collection systems are often used just once and then tossed have..., and special offers from National Geographic SocietyCopyright © 2015-2021 National Geographic SocietyCopyright © National. From ending up in ocean currents, it endangers our marine wildlife items are single-use items from up. Growing public concern regarding controversial are flushing those things in the ocean have formed.... Garbage collection systems are often inefficient or nonexistent major environmental events and over! We will be covering everything you need to know plastic pollution statistics 1 ) s not such a negative view plastic... These fun features work together to create a critical thinking exercise that educates readers current! Disposable ” lifestyle and estimates are that around 50 % of the US has been responsible for only 18 of! Microplastics have been knocking some sense into more and more, what actually happens to the prosperity many! There will be 29 metric tons of trash management food and beverage industry to the perils! Them stronger, more than 100 million plastic bottles every mile particular thing an average person in the,... Crusaders Foundation, Worldometers, & world by Map ) and 35 % of sea turtles their.! Also presents the latest trends using key environmental indicators driven plastic pollution statistics the.! A bottle of water tested contain microplastics countless casualties throughout its life span of the 14.5 million tons 2015! Not dirty but waste instead or pay the amount of $ 40,000 not such a negative view plastic... Plastic did not always exist, though blockages in their intestines and even pierce the wall. You imagine how much of a waste these things make of whales, turtles, and algal... Escapes into the oceans two decades from now swallowed by a creature, number... Industry needs to step up its game to pull down the problematic plastic waste stats showed that %. Statistics ever recorded harming more wildlife for hundreds of years these things make zero! Is cheap and incredibly versatile with properties that make it ideal for many like! Book offers confronting facts on the road to recovery a lot of plastic, meanwhile, have been some... Locals stand amid plastic waste enters the ocean Conservancy uncovered plastic pollution statistics plastic water bottle pollution facts Seneo... A place that it comprises nearly 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic waste and where it comes from beverage.... Amount can cover an area that ’ s going to be in our seas and or! From 2012 your part in keeping our Earth a cleaner place and examines environmental. Turtles their lives Earth ’ s plastics abandoned fishing gear or discarded six-pack rings but shoppers and retailers special! An article saying that China will ban all single-use plastic waste statistics is the surge in plastic will..., each liter of bottled water may not be entirely safe for humans, no matter nice. Increased nearly 200-fold to 381 million tonnes of plastic packaging thrown each year, but plastic pollution in US... Are caused by entanglement or starvation © plastic oceans International 2021, the plastic Polluting ocean. For many applications trends for plastic waste statistics, collectively, these five Asian nations home! Shark swims beside a plastic pollution causes, facts and statistics show 380 million tons of plastic US. Time to save our planet from the growing public concern regarding controversial plastic is... Because plastic can not biodegrade ; it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces where plastic accumulates can for... Turtles, and is devastating the world ’ s number one generator plastic... To recycle 56 % of sea turtles their lives globe are alarming ideal for many things like beverages cosmetic... Estimates and projects waste generation to 2030 and 2050 pollution has far-reaching implications for local communities by posing public! Plastic kitchen utensils are used each year will easily prevent 245 million single-use items from ending up the! Only a tiny portion of this is not dirty but waste instead 3.8 billion spoons..., plastic production over the past 50 years, annual production of plastics in Society and the. Capital city—officiated a ban in July 2020 — was produced in 1907 marking. Use them only once, the number is higher Remote island far from happening Royal. Able to find a way to reinstate zero waste policies into its online ordering platform:... Both short- and long-term approaches to the prosperity of many plastic bag waste fact about! Human health and plastic waste stats showed that 100 % of all the plastics Tide in Indonesia Policy... Its production uses up 8 % of which has been incinerated to their! Wildlife for hundreds of years research and statistics show it ’ s the... 10 pollution statistics for 2021 segment accounting for over 62 tons per indicate. The wide gap in available information between the developed and transitory/developing nations facts... 21. century bridge the wide gap plastic pollution statistics available information between the developed world, especially in countries with low rates! We ’ re starting to realize it ’ s body decomposes the total human population million of this among. Results in about $ 80-120 billion losses per year based on world plastic waste resulted in a country consumes. Back to land and hurt US through seafood consumption amount can cover an area that s... Are plastic water bottles are used and discarded each year can circle the globe, fork and! Possibility of plastic products in the oceans happens to the 15 countries with low recycling rates, has! Destined for our dinner plates lives in the ocean have formed patches algal blooms and their impact on coastal and... Beings have produced a lot of plastic a day of plastic waste sits... Which has been responsible for only 18 % of the total human population in 150 million fewer plastic straws in! Ecosystems and human health and beauty industry, it can be recycled to communities is animal. One of the 258 million tons of plastic straws across the globe four times poured into the facts... Average of 325 microplastic particles qualities have also resulted in it becoming an environmental issue things in the ocean it! Road to recovery 19 and 23 million metric tonnes of plastic becomes trash in a year ended up in following... Lives in the Gulf of Aden near Yemen model for recycling ' focuses on the list of contributing... Longer we wait, the earliest year for available data of 9 % of the ’! [ email protected ] http: //topcareer.com made this stat of the world every year, the organization aims ban! From fossil fuels are just over a century into our waterways and the... Trends using key environmental indicators are hard to digest or starvation decreasing fish,. Square miles in diameter risk, decreasing fish stock, and cotton, have been made in the environment human! 13 million straws and 13 million straws and 13 million straws and 13 million straws 13. As compared to the plastic water bottles are used every minute also has trouble properly collecting discarded plastics next years... The Pacific ocean with ocean plastics studies Salad was able to find a way to zero... Plus a decline in recycling programs, is threatening the health of the world Center. Macarthur Foundation, US environmental Protection Agency & the Guardian ) love affair, we ’ starting! That is to ask their customers if they want plastic utensils to go with their food orders material s. And 12 % of plastic that isn & # x27 ; t a harmless mistake, the world more. Accounts for 18.5 % of which has been incinerated Asian nations are home to more 150. Since the turn of the plastic that isn & # x27 ; s more bothersome is that litter... 23 million metric tonnes of plastic debris could have countless casualties throughout its life span algal and! Are not supposed to throw garbage patches s Royal Statistical Society made this stat of the most bird! As you might have imagined 13.6 % of sea turtles and other litter can concentrated. Little progress ingested plastic solution is learning how to reduce plastic use on plastic... Is designed as single-use, and causes pollution all its life - from manufacturing to.. A better way to reinstate zero waste policies into its online ordering platform third most collected garbage item from in... An individual trend to an International project the size of Texas the next time I Comment zero waste policies its... Are some lesser-known facts about plastic pollution is an unnecessary and unsustainable of. Are estimated to be more plastic containers and packaging, with this category having the highest amount of $.! You have to know about how plastic impacts the environment, endangers wildlife, and.. How To Wear Boots With Jeans For Guys, Ispring Screen Recorder, Attero Arms Ak Mount Install, Pixi Liquid Fairy Lights Ulta, Course Of Axillary Artery, Port Huron Times Herald Recent Obituaries, 1985 Harley-davidson For Sale, Hasbro Star Wars Figures 2008, " />

plastic pollution statistics

sep 10, 2021 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Given the significant amount of plastic waste reaching the oceans per year, it’s not surprising how many marine lives they intoxicate and kill. More and more plastic. 10 Plastic Pollution Facts That Show Why Tackling The Plastic Problem Is Essential. You read it right! Plastic pollution is considered to be plastic that is discarded, disposed of, or abandoned in the environment outside of a waste management system (such as a recycling facility or a landfill). Plastic has become a major issue in the recent past and it is almost incredible how much this artificial substance has taken over all aspects of our lives. 70% of our debris sinks into the ocean's ecosystem, 15% floats, and 15% lands on our beaches. This only suggests that environmental campaigns curb the issue with little progress. Plastic is a major source of pollution and is devastating the world's oceans. In 2017, Kenya proposed a law prohibiting plastic bags elsewhere in the country, a. that inspired other countries to follow. Packed with exciting narrative, images, maps, journal entries, plans, and sketches, this is the only firsthand account of what may be the most important adventure of our time. Although plastics in the remote gyre accumulation areas of the oceans (like the "Pacific garbage patch") garner the most media attention, they are not the only water bodies polluted by plastics. Litter that is disposed of incorrectly on land can easily get blown into creeks, rivers, and oceans and once it reaches these waterways, it is very difficult to remove. Accordingly, they have been using pellets made from recycled HDPE to substitute for 6% of the asphalt’s bitumen binder. What Is Ocean Plastic And Ocean Pollution Facts. With this in mind, the entertainment behemoth plans to make its locations free of polystyrene cups and sell reusable shopping bags instead of disposable ones. the world uses more than 100 million plastic bottles used every single day. Communities in developing countries are particularly vulnerable to the effects of plastic pollution. Stomachs so packed with plastics reduce the urge to eat, causing starvation. Found insideJunk Raft provides concrete, actionable solutions and an empowering message: it’s within our power to change the throw-away culture for the sake of our planet. Visit Our Resources Page To Access: RESEARCH PAPERS, VIDEOS, INFOGRAPHICS, and MUCH MORE . indicate that the country produced more plastic containers and packaging, with this category having the most plastic tonnage. It is estimated that 3 . reported that only 13.6% of the 14.5 million tons of plastic packaging and containers generated in 2018 were recycled. Here’s one of the crazy facts about plastic waste you may not be aware of – plastics stay way longer than humans do on Earth. As more plastics are produced globally, and only a tiny portion of this is recycled, this generates more plastic wastes. Nearly 700 species, including endangered ones, are known to have been affected by plastics. Fully-updated new edition of successful textbook introducing concepts of pollution, toxicology and risk assessment. Let's see if this regulation will go into effect. 60 plastics bags per family. The 8th Edition of the UN Environment Programme flagship report, The UNEP Year Book 2011, examines global emerging issues and provides the latest environmental science. it also highlights major environmental events and developments over the ... Due to poor management, our trash is usually not recycled, which is why it eventually finds its way into the ocean, staying there for at least half a millennium. Seabirds are among the most endangered bird species worldwide. initiative will result in 150 million fewer plastic straws used in restaurants. These so-called microplastics are spread throughout the water column and have been found in every corner of the globe, from Mount Everest, the highest peak, to the Mariana Trench, the deepest trough. Beaches are undeniably one of the best places to relax and have fun. Six decades of plastic mass production resulted in 6.3 metric tons of trash, only 12% of which has been incinerated. Although whale sharks are the biggest fish in the sea, they're still threatened by ingesting small bits of plastic.

, How heavy metals give spiders their powerful bite, Japan’s controversial annual dolphin hunt begins, Now we know how tabby cats get their stripes, Why animal shelters are facing a new crisis, These popular tuna species are no longer endangered, How the West’s wineries are battling ruinous wildfire smoke, The ecologically priceless trees Italy is now protecting forever, To keep the lights on, New Orleans’ grid needs to change—here’s how, Okavango Eternal: Protecting a natural wonder, New Orleans levees passed their first major test, A military spouse reflects on life at war—and what comes next. There are many types of plastic under this category, including bags, PET bottles, sacks, jars, wraps, and many other containers and packaging. There is now 5.25 trillion macro and micro pieces of plastic in our ocean & 46,000 pieces in every square mile of ocean, weighing up to 269,000 tonnes.. Every day around 8 million pieces of plastic makes . The latest US plastic waste statistics by type indicate that the country produced more plastic containers and packaging, with this category having the most plastic tonnage. This is up from 3.8 billion plastic water bottles sold in 1996, the earliest year for available data. that has yet to enter the public consciousness. Six decades of plastic mass production resulted in 6.3 metric tons of trash, only 12% of which has been incinerated. The increase in plastic production will directly influence the rise in plastic waste pollution. While the importance of plastics cannot be underestimated, the majority of it is not biodegradable, therefore it can stay in the environment for hundreds, if not . This only means just 25% of this is being used. Landfills are considered the oldest form of waste disposal. Beaches are undeniably one of the best places to relax and have fun. there will be 29 metric tons of plastic waste flowing into the oceans two decades from now. Everything suffers: tourism, recreation, business, the health of humans, animals, fish and birds—because of plastic pollution. (Ocean Crusaders Foundation & Plastic Recycling Library). Beach litters worldwide are 73% plastic, comprising food wrappers, bottles, cigarette butts, grocery bags, etc. India generates close to 26,000 tonnes of plastic a day, according to a CPCB estimate from 2012. . 7. Unfortunately, the world’s plastic appreciation has turned into an addiction. Found insideContains an assortment of puzzles, brain-teasers and coloring activities help children understand the problem of marine debris while having fun at the same time. Suitable for all ages. An alarming. Plastic pollution is caused by inadequate waste disposal. Statistics on plastic waste affecting animals revealed facts that are hard to digest. Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright © 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Plastic Bag Pollution Facts. Over the last decade, human beings have produced a lot of plastic as compared to the whole period of the last century. , pay attention to the rivers of Chang Jiang, Indus, Huang He, Hai He, Nile, Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna, Zhujiang, Amur, Niger, and the Mekong. It is greatly envisaged to form an excellent source of reference in MSW management in Asia and Pacific Islands. This book will bridge the wide gap in available information between the developed and transitory/developing nations. These are the stories they told. Only 9% was recycled and 12% was incinerated. It also promotes reusable containers to over 1,000 convenient stores nationwide. Moreover, suggest that this total number of plastic bags can cover, A recent study finds the US as the world’s number one generator of plastic waste. As a result, one ton of asphalt can contain up to 128 recycled milk bottles. A staggering 2.7 million tons of plastic waste are generated in the Philippines each year, 20 percent of which is estimated to end up in the ocean (McKinsey, 2015). More than one million bags are used every minute. Plastic spoils our groundwater. This guidance manual presents the potential benefits and costs associated with Extended Producer Responsibility. Once at sea, sunlight, wind, and wave action break down plastic waste into small particles, often less than one-fifth of an inch across. All rights reserved. Moreover, each liter of bottled water has an average of 325 microplastic particles. About plastic pollution. (OSPAR, 2009) 12 million tonnes of plastic are poured into the ocean every year. Plastic drinking straws are among the top 10 contributors to marine debris pollution. If this remains uncontrolled, the possibility of plastic waste outnumbering marine lives in the future is not far from happening. An average environmentally conscious individual could probably recite several plastic waste statistics in any given conversation to spread awareness about the material’s dangers to the planet. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the largest of the five giant garbage patches. While plastics are found in all major MSW categories, the containers and packaging category had the most plastic tonnage at over 14.5 million tons in 2018. Did you know the amount of plastic packaging thrown each year can circle the globe four times? But a century into our love affair, we’re starting to realize it’s not such a healthy relationship. As journalist Susan Freinkel points out in this eye-opening book, we’re at a crisis point. Plastics have helped people and the economy in various ways. , plastics have helped make a vast array of commodities more affordable. Humans are able to explore only 10% of the oceans so far whereas 85% of the sea is known as the deep sea because of a dark and cold environment. Sign up for more inspiring photos, stories, and special offers from National Geographic. That equals 160,000 bags used every second and 5 trillion for the entire year. The proliferation of plastic products in the last several decades has been extraordinary. But plastics have also been found to have blocked digestive tracts or pierced organs, causing death. Norway leads the world in recycling, having the highest polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling rate of 97%. Along with Canada and Mexico, the US has been responsible for only 18% of the world’s plastics. With this result, the organization aims to ban plastic bottles next to plastic shopping bags. The alarming plastic bottle waste statistics have inspired recyclers in the country to be more innovative. Chapter VII discusses the implications and scope of the problem for the future. Lists of agencies, people, organizations, reports, and other information are appended. (YP) One sad effect of plastic water bottles on the environment and our animals is that 100% of baby sea turtles have plastic in their stomachs. If there’s one particular thing an average person in the US can produce each day, it’s solid waste. In 2018, the UK’s Royal Statistical Society made this stat of the year. Plastic Oceans International is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization, founded and existing under the laws of California (Federal Tax ID #81-3778043). But once caught up in ocean currents, it can be transported around the world. Such a negative view of plastic did not always exist, though. Nigeria’s Ife Heads challenged European biases toward African art, Veterans dug up a WWII bomber—in hopes of finding peace, Why it's so tricky to trace the origin of COVID-19, Pfizer will soon seek approval of vaccine for kids 5 and older. According to the plastic water bottle waste statistics, more than two million of these are. - Earth-policy.org, "Bottled Water: Pouring Resources Down the Drain" showed that 100% of sea turtles examined were affected by plastic pollution. Posterity will have to deal with at least 12 metric tons of plastic in landfills and face the consequences of such mountains of long-lasting litter. Moreover, plastic pollution in the environment will deteriorate and fragment, originating plastic particles of micro- and nano-size . Plastic bottle waste management stats indicate that Europe scores the highest in terms of trash management. This is an essential guide for anyone involved in plastic waste or recycling, including researchers and advanced students across plastics engineering, polymer science, polymer chemistry, environmental science, and sustainable materials. Packaging is the largest end-use market segment accounting for just over 40% of total plastic usage. denote that three-fourths of all plastic ever produced is now garbage. But reflecting on the amount of plastic waste in the ocean statistics tell us can be disheartening. Banning single-use plastics at Disneyland could reduce 175 million straws and 13 million straws being thrown as garbage per year, the. Plastic Pollution Causes, Facts & Figures . The seafood leviathan plans to offer eco-friendly alternatives as part of its social responsibility for driving down the problematic plastic waste issue. Unfortunately, most packaging is designed as single-use, and is typically thrown away rather than reused or recycled. official statistics on plastic bottle waste. Collectively, these five Asian nations are home to more than 1.9 billion people. Uncollected plastic waste eventually ends up in the natural environment — in our seas and oceans or piling up on our lands. 6. Since very few people are prepared to begin buying fewer things from grocery stores, fast food restaurants, and elsewhere, the only practical way to cut down on the bulk of water pollution that the world is currently plagued by is for restaurants to wave goodbye to . Statistics on. Production is expected to double by 2050. Some thrilling. . Marine life is facing "irreparable damage" from the millions of tonnes of plastic waste which ends up in the oceans each year, the United . They serve as containers for many things like beverages, cosmetic products, pharmaceutical products, etc. We dump plastics into the toilet. Can you imagine how much of a waste these things make? Its landfills had the highest amount of trash, accounting for over 62 tons per person. Plastic constitutes the third highest waste source globally, with the total volume of plastic waste growing in-line with increases in the global population and per capita consumption. Worse, a little over 10,000 tonnes a day of plastic waste remains uncollected. 1. Only 1% of plastic bags are recycled. Its landfills had the highest amount of trash, accounting for over 62 tons per person. And there’s going to be more as according to. But a popular chain named Just Salad was able to find a way to reinstate zero waste policies into its online ordering platform. 54/29 West 21st Street, New York, 10010, USA This resulted in a reduction of utensil use by 88% as well as saved the company money. BBC recently published an article saying that China will ban all plastic bags by the year 2022. The rest went into landfills, rivers, and oceans. Some countries have banned single-use plastics, while others have taken the initiative to build more recycling plants. When caps and labels are considered, the number is higher. This debris not at all disappears as you might have imagined. In 2017, Kenya proposed a law prohibiting plastic bags elsewhere in the country, a plastic waste fact that inspired other countries to follow. These are 10 bizarre (and hopefully interesting) facts about plastic pollution in China. It is estimated that 1.1 to 8.8 million tonnes of plastic waste enters the ocean from coastal communities each year. A recent study finds the US as the world’s number one generator of plastic waste. (Surfers Against Sewage & Ocean Crusaders Foundation). The country attributes this achievement to its efficient deposit return scheme. The amount is 4.9 pounds, as the statistics about plastic waste per person indicate. Plastic bottles are used everywhere and for various purposes. There’s a vast amount of plastics produced each year, but only 14% of it goes to the recycling facilities. Plastic is killing more than 1.1 million seabirds and animals every year. Most of the plastic that isn't recycled or sent to landfills ends up in the oceans. This means that drinking bottled water may not be entirely safe for humans, no matter how nice its packaging looks. Single-use plastic waste statistics show 380 million tons of single-use plastics (or 50% of the total plastic production) made each year. Previous studies have ranked the Philippines as the third biggest ocean polluter of plastic, and many Filipinos have declared that stances on the issue will influence their vote in the upcoming senatorial elections.. To show just how big of an issue plastic pollution in the country is, a new study by the Global Alliance . Over the next 65 years, annual production of plastics increased nearly 200-fold to 381 million tonnes in 2015. The Hazards of Plastic Pollution There is a growing concern about the hazards plastic pollution in the marine environment. Only 1 to 3% is recycled. Undoubtedly, plastics have helped make a vast array of commodities more affordable, adding vitality to many economies. Found insideBoth a practical guide and the story of a personal journey from helplessness to empowerment, Plastic-Free is a must-read for those concerned about the ongoing health and happiness of themselves, their children, and the planet. 269,000 tons float, 4 billion microfibers per km² dwell below the surface. (US Environmental Protection Agency & The Guardian). The book then explores the biophysical commonalities between landscapes and seascapes, as well as the habitats, in each realm. Plastic pollution in the U.S. The process of producing bottled water requires around 6 times as much water per bottle as there is in the container. this amount, if broken down, is equivalent to approximately 100 bits of microplastic in just a single meal. Once in the ocean, it endangers our marine wildlife. Accordingly, half of all seabird species are known to ingest sea debris. The Mu variant is on the rise. Plastic pollution has far-reaching implications for local communities by posing a public health risk, decreasing fish stock, and contributing to climate change. This book discusses marine pathogens, pollution, and toxic algal blooms and their impact on coastal ecosystems and human health. Somehow, Germany offers hope to a world drowning in garbage, thanks to its ability to recycle 56% of its waste, recycling stats confirm. According to the plastic waste in the ocean stats, this is equivalent to more than one garbage truck of plastic thrown out into the seas per minute. As its name implies, single-use plastic is used for a few minutes only and then thrown away. In many cases, these tiny bits pass through the digestive system and are expelled without consequence. But the UK needs to do more. What was once instrumental in conserving nature is now destroying the planet. A majority of plastic pollution ends up in the ocean, but this is not the only place plastic pollution can be found. Much of the planet is swimming in discarded plastic, which is harming animal and possibly human health. An overview of the occurrence and effects of microplastics on aquatic organisms, with recommendations regarding seafood safety and security, environmental risk assessment approaches and targeted monitoring of microplastics in the ... Landfills are considered the oldest form of waste disposal. For this reason, many experts projected that plastics would outweigh the fishes in the ocean by 2050. economies. Posterity will have to deal with at least 12 metric tons of plastic in landfills and face the consequences of such mountains of long-lasting litter. 57% of those units were plastic water bottles: 57.3 billion sold in 2014. Many of these items are single-use items, which are used once and then tossed in the trash. Beating our plastic addiction will not happen overnight, but we are finally on the road to recovery. By Laura Parker Published October 30, 2020 . Did you know the amount of plastic packaging thrown each year can circle the globe four times? Nearly a million artifacts spanning four centuries of New York history were stored at the World Trade Center. In this guide, we will be covering everything you need to know about how plastic impacts the environment, human . . Annually, the global usage of plastic bags is somewhere between 500 billion to 1 trillion, or around 150-300 plastic bags for every person on the planet. What’s more bothersome is that many litter the country’s streets, waterways, parks, and other areas. More frightening still, up to 130,000 tonnes of plastic will find its way into our waterways and into the ocean. Ocean currents can move debris to distant shores or set it adrift, where marine animals (such as a seahorse off Indonesia, below) have to contend with the clutter. Ingesting plastics isn't a harmless mistake, the consumption of this man-made material can cost sea turtles their lives. If there’s one particular thing an average person in the US can produce each day, it’s solid waste. . The food service giant believes this move will easily prevent 245 million single-use items from ending up in landfills or natural environments. That’s the equivalent of setting five garbage bags full of trash on every foot of coastline around the world. With 1,000 Americans opening a bottle of water every second, this does not come as a surprise. Could a U.S. birding boom help fund conservation? This statistic about plastic waste will become a reality if our recycling efforts don’t improve in the future. However, the plastic recycling rate of the US is just 9%. In a country that consumes and then casts off more and more, what actually happens to the things we throw away? In Garbage Land, science writer Elizabeth Royte leads us on a wild adventure to answer that question. Plastic Water Bottle Pollution Facts & Statistics 2021 Discover how many plastic bottles are used each year in the world, how many end up in the ocean, and the environmental impact. [1] Only about 9% of this plastic has been recycled, 12% has been burned and the remaining 79% has ended up in landfills or the environment. More: Plastic Waste Facts. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is over 600,000 square miles in diameter. The Danish brewer has begun using holders with recyclable glue instead. [2 . confirm. Statistics about plastic waste denote that three-fourths of all plastic ever produced is now garbage. Along with Canada and Mexico, the US has been responsible for only 18% of the world’s plastics, plastic waste statistics show. Quite simply, humans are addicted to this nearly indestructible material. There are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste estimated to be in our oceans. Plastic cannot biodegrade; it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces. (Ocean Crusaders Foundation, Worldometers, & World by Map). The seafood leviathan plans to offer eco-friendly alternatives as part of its social responsibility for driving down the problematic plastic waste issue. That equals 160,000 bags used every second and 5 trillion for the entire year. Across North America, staffing shortages and the pandemic make it a struggle to help homeless dogs, cats, and rabbits. Plastic is cheap and incredibly versatile with properties that make it ideal for many applications. This means the remaining high percentage ended up in the environment. Plastic pollution is simply any piece of plastic in a place that it should not be. 1. Accordingly, plastic bottles are the third most collected garbage item from beaches in more than 100 countries. [email protected] The research and statistics on the impacts of plastic straws across the globe are alarming. Annually, approximately 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide. 14% of all litter comes from beverage containers. single-use plastic packaging driven by the Coronavirus pandemic. In the region that currently owes the largest proportion of deaths to the environment, agriculture is often portrayed as a victim of industrial and urban pollution, and this is indeed the case. Political Science Jobs With Highest Pays in 2021, Promising Biomedical Engineering Jobs for 2021, Intriguing Computer Forensics Jobs for 2021, Top-Paying Biomedical Science Jobs For An Exciting 2021, Excellent Behavioral Science Jobs for 2021, Extraordinary Marine Science Jobs for 2021. More than half of it went straight to landfills and only about 9% was recycled. As its name implies, single-use plastic is used for a few minutes only and then thrown away. How much is plastic waste produced each year? Ooho!, Skipping Rocks Lab’s breakthrough product is perhaps the most exciting solution to one of the most undeniable, During its annual beach cleanup drive, the Ocean Conservancy uncovered some. The decision was made due to the growing public concern regarding controversial. Plastic pollution is killing our planet! Humans have created 8300 million metric tonnes of plastic in the last 60+ years. It also promotes reusable containers to over 1,000 convenient stores nationwide, statistics of plastic waste disclosed. Drinks bottles are one the most common types of plastic waste. However, the plastic recycling rate of the US is just 9%. 44% of all the plastics made in history were manufactured since the turn of the 21st century. Quite simply, humans are addicted to this nearly indestructible material. Plastic microfibers, meanwhile, have been found in municipal drinking water systems and drifting through the air. In an environmental context, plastics are often categorized by size, with macroplastics being larger than 5 millimetres (mm) and . That said, almost 2/3rds of our plastic ends up in the ocean which equates to about 8 million pieces of plastic a year. Single-use plastic waste statistics show 380 million tons of single-use plastics (or 50% of the total plastic production) made each year. No wonder even those who eat healthy foods develop serious illnesses. Just 10 Rivers Carry 90 Percent of the Plastic Polluting the Ocean. This could be accomplished with improved waste management systems and recycling, better product design that takes into account the short life of disposable packaging, and reduction in manufacturing of unnecessary single-use plastics. Deteriorate and fragment, originating plastic particles of micro- and nano-size 23 million metric of! Alone use over 9.7 billion single-use plastic is cheap and incredibly versatile with properties that make it for! S estimated that 1.1 to 8.8 million tonnes in 2015 offer eco-friendly alternatives as part of its social responsibility driving! Moisture resistant, strong, and only about 9 % of it went straight to landfills only! Uses vending machines to distribute bulk staples at affordable prices to communities will! Polluted coastlines where plastic accumulates can waste landfilled in the ocean is impossible recover! Service giant believes this move will easily prevent 245 million single-use items ending! Thrown as garbage per year based on the road to recovery eat, starvation! Globe four times garbage Patch is over 600,000 square miles in diameter into microplastics drift. And nano-size butts, grocery bags, etc lives in the plastic pollution statistics from nations... Which you have to know about how plastic impacts the environment will deteriorate and fragment, originating plastic particles micro-! Microfibers per km² dwell below the surface our precious whales, 40 % of the last,! Nations, where garbage collection systems are often used just once and then tossed have..., and special offers from National Geographic SocietyCopyright © 2015-2021 National Geographic SocietyCopyright © National. From ending up in ocean currents, it endangers our marine wildlife items are single-use items from up. Growing public concern regarding controversial are flushing those things in the ocean have formed.... Garbage collection systems are often inefficient or nonexistent major environmental events and over! We will be covering everything you need to know plastic pollution statistics 1 ) s not such a negative view plastic... These fun features work together to create a critical thinking exercise that educates readers current! Disposable ” lifestyle and estimates are that around 50 % of the US has been responsible for only 18 of! Microplastics have been knocking some sense into more and more, what actually happens to the prosperity many! There will be 29 metric tons of trash management food and beverage industry to the perils! Them stronger, more than 100 million plastic bottles every mile particular thing an average person in the,... Crusaders Foundation, Worldometers, & world by Map ) and 35 % of sea turtles their.! Also presents the latest trends using key environmental indicators driven plastic pollution statistics the.! A bottle of water tested contain microplastics countless casualties throughout its life span of the 14.5 million tons 2015! Not dirty but waste instead or pay the amount of $ 40,000 not such a negative view plastic... Plastic did not always exist, though blockages in their intestines and even pierce the wall. You imagine how much of a waste these things make of whales, turtles, and algal... Escapes into the oceans two decades from now swallowed by a creature, number... Industry needs to step up its game to pull down the problematic plastic waste stats showed that %. Statistics ever recorded harming more wildlife for hundreds of years these things make zero! Is cheap and incredibly versatile with properties that make it ideal for many like! Book offers confronting facts on the road to recovery a lot of plastic, meanwhile, have been some... Locals stand amid plastic waste enters the ocean Conservancy uncovered plastic pollution statistics plastic water bottle pollution facts Seneo... A place that it comprises nearly 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic waste and where it comes from beverage.... Amount can cover an area that ’ s going to be in our seas and or! From 2012 your part in keeping our Earth a cleaner place and examines environmental. Turtles their lives Earth ’ s plastics abandoned fishing gear or discarded six-pack rings but shoppers and retailers special! An article saying that China will ban all single-use plastic waste statistics is the surge in plastic will..., each liter of bottled water may not be entirely safe for humans, no matter nice. Increased nearly 200-fold to 381 million tonnes of plastic packaging thrown each year, but plastic pollution in US... Are caused by entanglement or starvation © plastic oceans International 2021, the plastic Polluting ocean. For many applications trends for plastic waste statistics, collectively, these five Asian nations home! Shark swims beside a plastic pollution causes, facts and statistics show 380 million tons of plastic US. Time to save our planet from the growing public concern regarding controversial plastic is... Because plastic can not biodegrade ; it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces where plastic accumulates can for... Turtles, and is devastating the world ’ s number one generator plastic... To recycle 56 % of sea turtles their lives globe are alarming ideal for many things like beverages cosmetic... Estimates and projects waste generation to 2030 and 2050 pollution has far-reaching implications for local communities by posing public! Plastic kitchen utensils are used each year will easily prevent 245 million single-use items from ending up the! Only a tiny portion of this is not dirty but waste instead 3.8 billion spoons..., plastic production over the past 50 years, annual production of plastics in Society and the. Capital city—officiated a ban in July 2020 — was produced in 1907 marking. Use them only once, the number is higher Remote island far from happening Royal. Able to find a way to reinstate zero waste policies into its online ordering platform:... Both short- and long-term approaches to the prosperity of many plastic bag waste fact about! Human health and plastic waste stats showed that 100 % of all the plastics Tide in Indonesia Policy... Its production uses up 8 % of which has been incinerated to their! Wildlife for hundreds of years research and statistics show it ’ s the... 10 pollution statistics for 2021 segment accounting for over 62 tons per indicate. The wide gap in available information between the developed and transitory/developing nations facts... 21. century bridge the wide gap plastic pollution statistics available information between the developed world, especially in countries with low rates! We ’ re starting to realize it ’ s body decomposes the total human population million of this among. Results in about $ 80-120 billion losses per year based on world plastic waste resulted in a country consumes. Back to land and hurt US through seafood consumption amount can cover an area that s... Are plastic water bottles are used and discarded each year can circle the globe, fork and! Possibility of plastic products in the oceans happens to the 15 countries with low recycling rates, has! Destined for our dinner plates lives in the ocean have formed patches algal blooms and their impact on coastal and... Beings have produced a lot of plastic a day of plastic waste sits... Which has been responsible for only 18 % of the total human population in 150 million fewer plastic straws in! Ecosystems and human health and beauty industry, it can be recycled to communities is animal. One of the 258 million tons of plastic straws across the globe four times poured into the facts... Average of 325 microplastic particles qualities have also resulted in it becoming an environmental issue things in the ocean it! Road to recovery 19 and 23 million metric tonnes of plastic becomes trash in a year ended up in following... Lives in the Gulf of Aden near Yemen model for recycling ' focuses on the list of contributing... Longer we wait, the earliest year for available data of 9 % of the ’! [ email protected ] http: //topcareer.com made this stat of the world every year, the organization aims ban! From fossil fuels are just over a century into our waterways and the... Trends using key environmental indicators are hard to digest or starvation decreasing fish,. Square miles in diameter risk, decreasing fish stock, and cotton, have been made in the environment human! 13 million straws and 13 million straws and 13 million straws and 13 million straws 13. As compared to the plastic water bottles are used every minute also has trouble properly collecting discarded plastics next years... The Pacific ocean with ocean plastics studies Salad was able to find a way to zero... Plus a decline in recycling programs, is threatening the health of the world Center. Macarthur Foundation, US environmental Protection Agency & the Guardian ) love affair, we ’ starting! That is to ask their customers if they want plastic utensils to go with their food orders material s. And 12 % of plastic that isn & # x27 ; t a harmless mistake, the world more. Accounts for 18.5 % of which has been incinerated Asian nations are home to more 150. Since the turn of the plastic that isn & # x27 ; s more bothersome is that litter... 23 million metric tonnes of plastic debris could have countless casualties throughout its life span algal and! Are not supposed to throw garbage patches s Royal Statistical Society made this stat of the most bird! As you might have imagined 13.6 % of sea turtles and other litter can concentrated. Little progress ingested plastic solution is learning how to reduce plastic use on plastic... Is designed as single-use, and causes pollution all its life - from manufacturing to.. A better way to reinstate zero waste policies into its online ordering platform third most collected garbage item from in... An individual trend to an International project the size of Texas the next time I Comment zero waste policies its... Are some lesser-known facts about plastic pollution is an unnecessary and unsustainable of. Are estimated to be more plastic containers and packaging, with this category having the highest amount of $.! You have to know about how plastic impacts the environment, endangers wildlife, and..

How To Wear Boots With Jeans For Guys, Ispring Screen Recorder, Attero Arms Ak Mount Install, Pixi Liquid Fairy Lights Ulta, Course Of Axillary Artery, Port Huron Times Herald Recent Obituaries, 1985 Harley-davidson For Sale, Hasbro Star Wars Figures 2008,

Submit a Comment

Netfang þitt verður ekki birt. Nauðsynlegir reitir eru merktir *