Facts about plastic impact on the environment:
1. Every year nearly 8 million tons of plastic waste enters the ocean. This is equal to a truckload of plastic dumped into the ocean every minute.
2. Nearly 6% of beach litter worldwide is plastic.
3. By 2050 there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean.
4. By 2050 almost 10% of seabirds will be eating plastic.
5. The average person eats 70.000 microplastics each year.
6. Once in the ocean it is almost impossible to retrive plastic waste.
7. At sea the plastic is grouped together by ocean currents and huge whirlpools and as a result they form plastic islands. Some are equivalent in size to countries like Spain or France.
8. Sunlight, wind and wave action break down plastic into small particles called microplastics, these then spread in the ocean and on land, infiltrating in the entire ecosystems.
The reasons why plastic is harmful are:
Marine animals get entangled in plastic waste and as a result their motion is limited and also their ability to feed. Plastic also causes them injuries and infection.
Many marine animal mistake plastic for food because of the colour and shape. This leads to starvation because it gives the animal the ilusion of being full.
Plastics absorb pollutants and have harmful chemicals themselves, so when animals eat them this could damage their organs, cause them a disease and affect their reproduction.
When humans eat seafood they consume microplastics, which can affect their health.