Plastic in the oceans: one truckload of it is dumped every minute

PLASTIC IN THE OCEANS

Scientists confirm what the "Do Not Waste" community has long been arguing: plastic is advancing in the world's oceans at a scandalous rate. This is despite numerous calls to reduce its use and abuse. In particular, experts have irrefutably demonstrated that plastic waste in the Atlantic Ocean has tripled since 2000. This is a huge waste , detrimental to the quality of life and well-being of all.

Using data collected by " continuous plankton recorders (RCPs)" installed on the tows of large ships that have traversed the oceans since 2000, a group of researchers from Plymouth, UK, has found that large plastic objects have become entangled approximately three times more often than in previous decades. And this is just for macroplastics ( large plastic objects). The situation for microplastics (ranging from small objects to "pulverized" elements) is, unfortunately, even worse.

READ ALSO: The oceans, where a truckload of garbage ends up every day, give us life (Video)

MICROPLASTICS IN THE OCEANS

OCEANS OF GARBAGE

Larger quantities of plastic have been found in areas of the ocean most frequented by shipping routes. The number of fishing nets found in the North Atlantic and the North Sea , for example, is impressive. The latter is richly populated by marine life, such as fish, birds, and cetaceans, which daily risk becoming entangled in plastic waste or mistaking it for food. It has been shown, for example, that turtles are unable to distinguish between plastic bags and jellyfish (essential to their diet). A veritable trap for one of the creatures universally loved by adults and children alike. Plastic bags, once ingested, cause lethal internal blockages. And there is another worrying and little-known phenomenon: micro-pollution present in the flesh of the fish we eat. Its effects on human health are yet to be fully ascertained.

PLASTIC ISLANDS IN THE OCEANS

The oceans also host five " natural collection points ," called major gyres , where thousands of tons of plastic are deposited and sink; two gyres are located in the Atlantic Ocean, two in the Pacific, and one in the Indian Ocean. The gyres accumulate objects of all kinds: bags , bottles , packaging . The North Pacific gyre alone contains six kilos of plastic for every kilo of plankton. A tragedy for our ecosystems.

Plastic is the material that has dominated modern life for several decades; just think of the bottles produced by some of the most famous multinational soft drink companies and the packaging commonly used. According to some estimates, 480 billion plastic bottles were sold in 2016 alone , a staggering figure. This is why efforts are underway in many parts of the world, such as ensuring that drinking water outlets encourage the reuse of glass containers.

READ MORE: Invaded by plastic, 670 pieces of waste every 100 linear meters of coast (Photo)

PLASTIC PRODUCTION ON THE RISE

PLASTIC IN THE OCEANS: OCEAN CLEANUP

THE STORIES OF THOSE WHO ARE COMMITTED TO SAVING OUR SEAS:

• Retired Ulisse on the beach in Sardinia: he blocks uncivilized people and collects waste (photos and video)
• Cigarettes on the beach, this is how Paola collects thousands of butts every day. Let's do the same!
• A Sicilian pensioner's wonderful initiative to rid the beach of cigarette butts.