There's over 3 hundred million tons of plastic being produced every year, and over 8 million tons of it wind up in our oceans. Even islands without any human inhabitants have beaches that are filled with plastic. In fact, we're actually getting rained on by micro-plastics right now.
Plastic is in the arctic, in salt, and in 84% of drinking water worldwide. It's everywhere. This is why it's key to do whatever we can to eliminate our usage of plastic, not just for our personal health and wellness but also for the sake of our planet and our oceans.
With that said, here are a few ways to reduce ocean plastic pollution.
Reduce single-use plastics
You'd be surprised by how much plastic you can eliminate from your life by choosing to be more conscious of the plastic you use. When you're looking to make a new purchase, do some research for sustainable, plastic-free swaps so you can switch out items like your toothbrush, disposable coffee cups, water bottles, etc.
Keep in mind that most plastic doesn't get recycled, in fact, about 9% of all the plastic ever produced has ever been recycled. This is why it's important to be mindful of the materials that you bring into your life.
Opt for public transportation or reduce the amount you drive
According to the the Guardian, "68,000 tonnes of microplastics from tyre tread abrasion are generated in the UK every year, with between 7,000 and 19,000 tonnes entering surface waters." While driving less and using different alternatives like taking public busses or biking is the best solution, there's still a problem with tires shedding microplastic pieces.
Currently, there are multiple companies that are trying to separate and discharge microplastics while driving and have them captured via an internal central capsule. Hopefully, there's a better solution soon, but until then, consider being more mindful of your driving habits.
