According to a recent study conducted by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), people across the globe may be consuming approximately five grams of microscopic plastic particles each week—that’s akin to swallowing a credit card. Known as microplastics, these are tiny plastic fragments less than 5mm in size.
Sources of Plastic Ingestion
There are numerous ways in which we consume plastics unknowingly. Some of the most common sources include:
Drinking Water: This is said to be one of the most significant sources. Microplastics can be found in various forms of this essential fluid, including bottled, tap, surface and groundwater.
Shellfish: Eating seafood poses another risk. Shellfish, for instance, may contribute to as much as 0.5g of plastic ingestion per week.
Inhalation: Though negligible, some plastic particles may enter our bodies via inhalation. It is interesting to note that because of limited circulation, indoor air tends to be more loaded with plastic pollutants than outdoor air. Synthetic textiles and household dust are major contributors to these airborne microplastics.
Burden of Plastic
In the past two decades, we have produced an unsettling amount of plastic—equivalent to that created throughout the rest of history. The industry shows no signs of slowing down and is expected to grow by 4% annually until 2025.
A startling prediction warns us that by 2025, there will be one metric tonne of plastic in the ocean for every three metric tonnes of fish.
| Decade | Plastic Production | Ocean Plastic-to-Fish Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 2000-2019 | Equivalent to plastic produced throughout history | n/a |
| 2025 (predicted) | 4% annual growth | 1:3 plastic to fish |
Approximately one-third of the plastic waste we generate ends up being dumped or leached into nature, polluting our lands, rivers and oceans.
Plastic Pollution and Wildlife
Plastic pollution has serious consequences for wildlife. Animals often get entangled in large plastic debris, causing injuries and often leading to death. Many consume significant amounts of plastic that they cannot process, causing internal abrasion, digestive blockage and eventually, death. The toxins from ingested plastic can also harm animals’ breeding capabilities and impair their immune systems.
Curbing Plastic Pollution
Taking measures to curb plastic pollution is crucial. Political and economic actions are needed that focus on minimizing the amount of plastic that ends up in our environment.
A key action would be to reduce plastic use and promote recycling, rather than imposing outright bans or aiming for zero plastic. A legally binding agreement similar in impact to the Montreal Protocol or the Paris Agreement could help combat marine plastic pollution. This should involve binding national commitments and protocols to regulate both commercial and household uses of plastics.
