Plastic waste entering oceans expected to triple in 20 years
Plastic waste flowing into the oceans is expected to nearly triple in volume in the next 20 years. Although efforts to reduce the wastes have been made, it is a dent in the tsunami of waste.
According to the paper published in the Journal Science, previous estimates put the amount of plastic reaching the oceans each year at about 8m tones, but the true figure is much higher about 11m tones. Although governments restrictions about using plastic materials and mandating alternatives had been put in place, those would only cut the waste to little less than half of today’s levels. If the current trend continues, the plastic waste polluting the oceans will grow to 29m tonnes a year by 2040, which equivalent to 50kg for every metre of coastline in the world. In addition, all the efforts made by governments and companies so far will only reduce the projected volume by only 7% by 2040.
The findings reveal the devastating the impact of our reliance to plastic, especially single-use and film plastics used for packaging. Once the plastics flow into ocean, they will break down into microplastics that cause harmful problems.
It is addressed in the paper that improving waste collection, particularly in developing countries, recycling more waste, and using alternative materials with better product design could significantly reduce the plastic waste pollution. However, this measure could incur around $150bn investment globally in the next five years. Nevertheless, this action would yield $70bn in savings compared with the $670bn cost to government ineffective waste management between now and 2040. In addition, these actions would also cut the greenhouse gas emission associated with plastic by a quarter as well as creating 700,000 jobs globally.
Such change will require governments to improve their waste management system with particular focus on the ways to design plastic waste out of products. Urgent action is needed as once plastic reach the sea it will be impossible to get it out, said Simon Reddy, international environment director at the Pew Charitable Trusts, which lead the research.
References:
by