The Problem
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SO, WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?
When it comes to plastic, the word pollution doesn’t really cut it. The build-up of plastic in the ocean is poisonous on a mind-blowing scale. But why?
Plastic waste flows everywhere and stays there. It’s found washed up in rockpools and in the deepest, most (seemingly) pristine parts of the ocean.
A rubbish truck full of plastic enters the ocean every minute around the globe. We can’t beach clean our way out of that! And the problem has a far greater reach.
THE IMPACT OF PLASTIC
Countless fish, birds, turtles, whales and marine creatures are killed each year by mistaking plastic for food or getting entangled in discarded fishing gear across the world. Incidence of ingestion of plastics is well-documented in 1288 marine species across the world.
One study found that 79% tropical shearwaters in the Indian ocean has plastic in their stomachs, and the problem is increasing. In the last decade, plastic ingestion by marine fish has doubled.
Plastic doesn’t disappear over time. EVER. Instead, it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces called microplastics and nanoplastics. These tiny particles enter the food chain, and have been found in water supplies, the atmosphere and even inside our bodies. We are only just beginning to find out the impact that has on our health.
Plastic is Oil and a major contributor to climate change.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions from plastic production could triple by 2050, and account for 25-30% of the global carbon budget. That’s a huge amount.
Plastic is used for anything and everything. And not all plastic is bad. The problem starts when it’s used for a moment, and then thrown away. We call this avoidable throwaway plastic, or single-use plastic. Thanks to big businesses endlessly pushing it on us, we’re caught in a single-use plastic trap and it’s choking the planet. And with only 9% of plastic being recycled globally, we know now that only by reducing our use of single use plastic are we going to get out of this mess.
Anyone and everyone can get involved to be the resistance our oceans need. It doesn’t matter who you are, how old you are or whether you live by the coast or not. There are contributions you can make that will make a difference. Everyone has a role to play! Click or roll over the items to reveal why we need to free where we live from single-use 38.5 million plastic bottles are bought every day in the UK. Around half end up in landfill, being burnt or in the environment. In the UK, we use 7 million disposable coffee cups every day. Brits buy 11 billion takeaway food containters every year Food and drink plastic packagaing makes ups 83% of the UK's waste. 400 million carrier bags are still used in the UK. Bathroom plastics like wet wipes and period products are found on 72% of UK beaches For every million reuseable cups used, we could prevent a thousand tonnes of carbon emissions. 855 billion single use sachets are used across the globe, 8 out of 10 Brits want them banned Balloons are the highest risk plastic item for seabirds. They can be eaten by or entangle all marine life, causing choking, starvation or strangulation.
The offenders
1. Plastic Bottles
2. Disposable Coffee Cups
3. On the go / Takeaway food
4. Food & Drink Packaging
5. Carrier Bags
6. Bathroom Plastics
7. Plastic Cups
8. Condiment sachets
9. Balloons
GET INVOLVED
There’s lots of ways to get involved and join the fight in breaking free from single use plastic. Anyone and everyone can get involved to be the voice the ocean needs. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you live. We all can do something at an individual and community level, and leverage our action to national and global change.
Check out our map and find and join your nearest Plastic Free Community.
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Lead the change and become a Plastic Free Champion with Surfers Against Sewage.
Sign up and get a free Individual Action Plan, small changes really do add up.
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