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The Problem
There is no denying that plastics in the oceans is a serious issue. Walking on any
beach you are sure to be able to collect as many seashells as tiny plastics. 10.5 million
tons of plastic are produced every year. Only 1-2% of it is recycled, and 14 billion
pounds of trash are dumped into the ocean every year. It is hard to see it as a problem
when you don’t live by an ocean, or if you do, there is little pollution. But millions of sea
animals are killed every year due to ingesting plastics (Marine Debris and Plastics). This
When plastics stay in the ocean for an extended period of time, they break down
into smaller sized pellets called microplastics. This floats around on the surface of the
water, or heavier plastics will sink to the bottom (Christensen). This disrupts the beauty
Problem History
This problem begins in the late 1800s when plastics were first invented by John
Wesley Hyatt. But at that time, they were not a problem. In 1946, at a National Plastics
Exhibition, multiple new kinds of plastics are unveiled to aid in World War II. During this
time, plastic production was increased by 300%. It wasn’t until the 1960s that plastic
was first spotted in the ocean. The 70s and 80s became aware of the waste and plastic
problem. They realized that while cheap, it lasts in the environment forever. Due to this
panic, recycling was invented. It seemed like a good idea, yet plastics still ended up in
It was also a growing concern of human health. These plastics have hazardous
additives that are released into the water, which can go into fish, which humans can
ingest. Most recently, scientists are worried about these additives and children, and how
Expert Solutions
They say the most common items found on the beaches are cigarette butts, bottle caps,
straws, cups and plates and single-use plastic bags. They suggest reducing these types
First, cleaning up the ocean. He suggests a large 600-meter long floating structures that
used the natural wind and waves to collect plastics in a large 3-meter deep skirt. The
breaking down polyethylene terephthalate, one of the most common plastics. This
solution is still in its early stages. The third is converting plastics to fuel. He says 300
million tons of plastics are produced every year yet only half of it can be recycled. An
Australian company has a system where they can melt plastics into liquid fuel, called a
‘Catalytic Hydrothermal Reactor’. However, it takes plastics out of the ocean, but
Sarah Engler at the NRDC has a series of steps to take that contribute to plastics
in the oceans that others may not think of. Microbeads in face cleansers and body
washes can not break down over time in water. Purchasing clothing items second hand
and do not throw any of them away. Lastly, cook more for yourself. Buying premade
meals usually comes in hard plastics that cannot be broken down (Engler).
Your Opinion
Lauren Singer, a leader in the zero-waste movement. At the time of watching the video,
I used a plastic Starbucks cups, plastic ziplock bags and plastic utensils everyday. I was
so struck by this video, then my own research after, that I decided to live more
sustainably. I put reusable straws and reusable sandwich bags on my Christmas list
I thought it would be an expensive, but quick fix. I was correct about the
expensive part, mostly. I found cheap and eco-friendly solutions to my personal plastic
problems, but some eco-friendly tools are worth the investment. But it took me months
to get where I am now, about 80% zero-waste. I thought it would take no time at all, but
I was so wrong! One of the principles of living zero-waste is using what you have before
you switch to the sustainable solution. This process was so frustrating because I just
wanted to use the “better” option but I still had to use my plastic conditioner bottle till it
was empty. So now I try to encourage others to live more sustainably, usually through
I studied abroad in Spain this summer and at the grocery store, they charged you
for every plastic bag you used, if you brought a reusable bag you would not be charged.
I think if this idea could be applied at Starbucks, Walmart or Target, we could make a
significant difference. Starbucks could require bringing your own cup and Walmart and
Target could require bringing reusable bags. Shopping in bulk for common household
items such as shampoo, conditioner, body/face wash, dish soap and hand soap could
plastics. But then I realized, that it used to be me. I used to use multiple single-use
plastics everyday. Everyone is on their own personal journey with the earth, and no one
Christensen, Jen. “The Amount of Plastic in the Ocean Is a Lot Worse Than We
www.cnn.com/2019/04/16/health/ocean-plastic-study-scn/index.html.
David. “3 Incredible Scientific Solutions to Plastic Pollution.” Eradicate Plastic - Join the
-incredible-scientific -solutions-to-plastic-pollution/.
Engler, Sarah. “10 Ways to Reduce Plastic Pollution.” NRDC, 6 June 2019,
www.nrdc.org/stories/10-ways-reduce-plastic-pollution.
initiative/marine-debris-and-plastics/.
“The History and Future of Plastics.” Science History Institute, 20 Dec. 2016,
www.sciencehistory.org/the-history-and-future-of-plastics.
“A Guide to Plastic in the Ocean.” NOAA's National Ocean Service, 20 Sept. 2018,
oceanservice.noaa.gov/hazards/marinedebris/plastics-in-the-ocean.html.