Main topic

Approximately 12.7 million tons of plastic are introduced into our oceans each year, equivalent to one truckload of waste being dumped into the sea every minute. If this trend persists, scientists predict that by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans. Although plastic was once seen as an innovative material, it has led to the creation of low-cost products and, therefore, a throwaway culture was developed, which is now causing significant environmental crises, particularly affecting our waterways and oceans. The harmful impact plastic pollution on marine life was not anticipated (Padstow Sealife Safaris, June 2022). Plastic does not decompose or disappear; rather, it accumulates, taking over our oceans and harming marine life.

Plastic waste emitted to the ocean (2019)

This is an annual estimate of plastic emissions. A country’s total does not include the waste that is exported overseas and may be at higher risk of entering the ocean.

Source: Meijer et al. (2021)