Plastics in the Ocean: How They Get There, Their Impacts, and Our Solutions

Posted Mon, 06/27/2016 - 13:30

Marine debris is a pervasive problem facing our ocean and Great Lakes. Of all the trash that ends up in these important water bodies, plastics are the most common. This week, we’re exploring the problem of plastics in our ocean and the solutions that are making a difference. To learn more about #OceanPlastics, keep your eye on FacebookTwitterInstagram, and NOAA’s Response and Restoration blog this week. 

Infographic on plastics in the ocean, how they get there, and what their impacts are.

Globally, we are consuming more and more single-use plastic items, but many countries lack the waste infrastructure to process it, resulting in plastic debris entering our waterways. In places where there is good infrastructure, intentional littering or improper disposal may have the same results. Many people don’t think about the way they may be contributing to this waste, such as by throwing a cigarette butt (which is plastic!) on the ground  or adding their trash to the top of an overflowing garbage can. Plastics may also be introduced to the marine environment from ocean-based sources such as fishing gear that is lost or abandoned, or from trash washing over the side of a vessel.

An overflowing trash can.
An overflowing trash can is just one way plastic trash may end up as marine debris. (Photo Credit: NOAA)

So how does plastic trash go from sitting on a sidewalk to becoming marine debris? There are many ways that plastics may be moved throughout the environment. Weather such as rain and wind can move debris into nearby waterbodies. That overflowing trash can? Well, it’s not overflowing anymore since the wind swept those extra pieces away. Once debris enters a nearby stream or storm drain, it’s often not a long trip before it has arrived at the ocean or a Great Lake.

Debris collecting around a storm drain.
Trash often finds its way to the ocean or Great Lakes via stream or storm drain. (Photo Credit: NOAA)

Unfortunately, once plastic debris is in the marine environment, it’s there to stay. Plastic never fully degrades, but instead breaks into smaller and smaller pieces, eventually becoming what we call “microplastics.” Microplastics are small plastic pieces, less than 5 millimeters in size. They can come from those larger plastics breaking apart, or can be manufactured at that size, such as “microbeads” that are sometimes found as exfoliants in products such as facial scrubs or toothpastes.

Plastic debris can wreak havoc on the marine environment, with numerous negative impacts. It can harm marine animals by entangling them in debris like derelict nets or plastic 6-pack rings. Animals may accidentally ingest plastics, mistaking them for food. Plastic debris, especially large, heavy derelict fishing nets, can hurt sensitive and important habitats like coral reefs by physically damaging or smothering them. Plastics can also have direct impacts on us, by becoming navigational hazards or by polluting our beaches and driving tourists away from communities that rely on those coastal visitors.

Unfortunately, people are the sole cause of the plastic debris that enters our ocean. But luckily, that gives us the power to solve this problem! People are the cause, but we’re the solution, too. Removing debris through efforts like community cleanups can help to address this issue. However, the ultimate solution is prevention. Educating people about the problem and encouraging them to join in the effort is the best way to stop more plastics from ending up in our ocean. By addressing the way we contribute to the problem and remembering to reduce, reuse, and recycle, we can all make a difference in reducing the impacts of plastic debris.

Learn more about plastic debris! Watch this Trash Talk video about why plastic is so common in our ocean and waterways and stay tuned to #OceanPlastics on social media this week. We’re all in this together!

Plastics in the Ocean: How They Get There, Their Impacts, and Our Solutions

Posted Mon, 06/27/2016 - 13:30
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For citation purposes, unless otherwise noted, this article was authored by the NOAA Marine Debris Program.

The Marine Debris Blog is no longer accepting comments but continues to display past contributions.

Anonymous

Fri, 05/04/2018 - 19:06

ban plastic throwing at sea

Anonymous

Wed, 01/23/2019 - 12:36

ban plastic everywhere

Anonymous

Fri, 02/15/2019 - 09:21

Ban people

Anonymous

Thu, 11/18/2021 - 00:05

In reply to by Anonymous

agreed

anonymous

Wed, 05/24/2023 - 13:24

In reply to by Anonymous

agreed

Carol Meyer

Thu, 05/09/2019 - 13:10

The oceans need to be saved.

Anonymous

Thu, 01/23/2020 - 13:01

hi

Anonymous

Tue, 07/21/2020 - 14:29

The plastic in the ocean needs to come at a end. We need to do something to stop this before it gets worse and more animals keep eating the plastic and end up dying.

Raphael

Fri, 01/22/2021 - 02:36

I love plastic

This is outrageous, and completely disrespectful to the animals. If you were a seal right now, suffocating, waiting to be freed you would not say 'I like plastic'. So STOP, and think before you say, Raphael.

why would you like plastic dude it kills everything in our oceans dude!

Anonymous

Tue, 05/11/2021 - 15:44

ban all plastic plastic is very bad i hate plastic and people stop going to beaches

tina

Sat, 07/03/2021 - 20:19

Animals are dying because of the plastic. Try to use the recycled one and do not pour the garbage into the sea!

Anonymous

Wed, 12/08/2021 - 09:38

Everyone we need plastic for some things, we just have to stop thinking of it as disposable or ban single-use plastics like plastic bags, or Styrofoam cups and boxes.

no me!

Sat, 03/05/2022 - 14:33

pls, tell me the person who took the photo let him go... it might choke him... it's literally around his neck...

Frank Mancuso

Thu, 09/01/2022 - 21:23

I have studied marine plastic pollution for 50 years and filed a series of lawsuits to stop it that lasted over 20 years. Those lawsuits generated many thousands of documents, reports, studies, and expert testimony. The reality is marine microplastic is a sponge for PCBs and has displaced phytoplankton as the beginning of the ocean's food chain. Phytoplankton permanently sequesters most of our CO2 and converts it to most of our oxygen. Consequently, phytoplankton is half gone in my lifetime. As phytoplankton goes all life will soon follow. It's fixable and will deter global warming.

thatguysaysdud…

Mon, 11/07/2022 - 18:26

no dud e no more plastic