Half of the total amount of plastic in the world has been produced in the last 15 years.

The amount of plastic produced in 1950 was 2.3 million tons, in 2015 it was 448 million tons. By 2050, production of over 900 million tons is expected.

Each year, approximately 8 million tons of plastic waste ends up in the seas and oceans.
Plastic contains additives that make it stronger, tougher, and longer lasting. If the plastic ends up in the waste, the estimated degradation time is over 400 years.

Microplastics

When plastic end up in the seas and oceans, the sun’s rays, wind and waves break the plastic into small pieces, often less than 5mm. Such plastic pieces, often called microplastics, have been found in all parts of the globe. The microplastics is further broken into smaller pieces, and the plastic fibers were found in drinking water and in the air.

The solution

Most scientists agree that the first goal is to prevent plastic waste from entering rivers and the sea in the first place. This can be solved by improving recycling, better design and reducing the production of disposable plastic products.

Source: National Geographic, Laura Parker, June 2019