Ocean Plastic Facts

8 Million Tons of Plastic Enter the Oceans Each Year: An estimated 8 million tons of plastic waste ends up in the oceans every year, the equivalent of dumping a garbage truck of plastic every minute.
Plastic Outnumbers Fish in Some Areas: In some parts of the ocean, plastic pieces outnumber marine life by 6 to 1.
Plastic Takes Hundreds of Years to Decompose: Plastics can take up to 500-1,000 years to decompose, breaking down into harmful microplastics in the process.
By 2050, There Could Be More Plastic than Fish: If current trends continue, it is projected that by 2050, the ocean will contain more plastic by weight than fish.
90% of Marine Debris is Plastic: The majority of the debris that accumulates in the oceans and on shorelines is made up of plastic materials.

Microplastics Are Everywhere: Tiny plastic particles, called microplastics, have been found in every corner of the ocean, from surface waters to deep-sea sediments, and even in the Arctic.
Marine Life Consumes Microplastics: Over 700 marine species are known to be affected by plastic, many of which mistake small pieces of plastic for food, with devastating effects on their health.
Microplastics Enter the Human Food Chain: Microplastics have been found in fish, shellfish, and even table salt, meaning they are now making their way into the human food chain.

1 Million Marine Animals Killed Annually: Over 1 million marine animals (including fish, birds, and mammals) are killed each year due to plastic debris in the ocean.
Entanglement and Ingestion Are Major Threats: Thousands of marine animals, including turtles, dolphins, and whales, die from entanglement in plastic debris or from ingesting plastic, which they mistake for food.
Sea Turtles Are Highly Vulnerable: Over 50% of sea turtles have ingested plastic, which can block their digestive tracts and lead to death.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch: There are five major ocean garbage patches, with the Great Pacific Garbage Patch being the largest. It’s twice the size of Texas and contains around 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic.
Plastic Pollution Threatens Coral Reefs: Plastics are known to damage coral reefs, making them 20 times more susceptible to disease.
Pollution Affects Coastal Economies: Ocean plastic pollution is not only an environmental threat but also an economic one. It impacts tourism, fishing, and coastal communities, costing the global economy billions of dollars each year.

Only 9% of All Plastic is Recycled: Despite widespread awareness, only about 9% of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled.
Single-Use Plastics Are the Biggest Culprit: Items like plastic bags, straws, and bottles make up the largest portion of ocean plastic waste, but they are also the easiest to eliminate through personal and policy changes.
Beach Cleanups Make a Difference: For every 1,000 volunteers who clean up beaches regularly, it’s estimated that up to 50,000 kg of waste can be removed from coastal areas each year.
Innovative Solutions Are Emerging: Solutions like biodegradable plastics, recycling innovations, and zero-waste initiatives are being developed to reduce plastic pollution, but reducing consumption remains the most effective strategy.