Our oceans are drowning in a sea of plastic waste.

Based on the history of innovation, plastic production has become a symbol of modern living. But at this point, it's getting out of control and becoming a threat to our planet. Behind the convenience of single-use plastics and disposable packaging, there is the distressing reality of plastic waste. The impact of global plastic pollution drives an urgent need for real change in our approach to plastic consumption and disposal. Otherwise, millions of tonnes of plastic will be mismanaged and pollute the environment around the world.

There is still hope for a sustainable future. The UN developed an international legally binding resolution on plastic pollution. The Global Plastics Treaty is being developed to address the urgent need for systemic changes in how we produce, consume, and dispose of plastic and is expected to drive new collaborations and innovations throughout the sector.

There is also the promising solution of biodegradable materials that can steer us towards a cleaner, healthier planet. But before diving into the hope of a plastic-free planet, it's time to confront the uncomfortable facts of plastic pollution.

Global Plastic Waste Pollution

Plastic poses an escalating crisis due to waste pollution. Over 400 million metric tonnes of plastic waste are generated globally each year. To put this into perspective, it is equivalent to the weight of the entire human population, or more than 1,000 Empire State buildings.

Despite the impacts on the climate, plastic packaging still has high demand on the market. People depend on plastic packaging to extend the shelf life of foods or to reduce food waste. But every piece of plastic packaging being thrown away contributes to the increasing levels of plastic waste in our natural environment. In fact, 46% of plastic waste comes from packaging, such as bottles, pots, tubs, and trays, or wrappings such as plastic shopping bags, bubble wrap and shrink wrap.

Besides plastic packaging, the widespread use of single-use plastics is also the main issue with plastic pollution, as half of all plastic is produced for single-use purposes. The versatility and affordability of plastic for various applications make it a favourable source for creating single-use items. However, these attributes result in a significant impact of excessive waste. One million plastic bottles are sold every minute, and a staggering 40 billion plastic spoons, forks, and knives are used and thrown away every year.

Living up to its name: single-use plastic is designed for short periods with an average usable lifespan of 15 minutes. After disposal, it can take up to 500 years to degrade. Over time, larger plastic items break down into microplastics and nanoplastics. These tiny particles contaminate soil, water and air; enter the food chain and pose risks to both wildlife and humans, and disrupt ecosystems.

Despite the rising environmental awareness among corporations and consumers, and the increasing regulations on plastic packaging, there is more single-use plastic than ever before. In 2021, an additional 6 million metric tonnes of waste were generated compared to 2019. This waste was predominantly derived from fossil fuel-based "virgin" feedstocks. The trend in global plastic use shows no signs of slowing down, and plastic production is projected to triple by 2060.

Recycling is promising, but according to Our World in Data, only 9% of plastic waste is recycled worldwide. Half of the world’s plastic still ends up in landfills. Another fifth is not recycled, incinerated, or kept in sealed landfills, putting it at risk of being leaked into rivers, lakes, and the ocean.

Ocean Pollution from Plastic Waste

The enormous use of plastic has led to significant environmental consequences. With the high amount of waste and low recycling rate, plastic waste worldwide is either not collected, improperly disposed of, or ends up as litter. Litter doesn't stay on the land. Instead, rainwater and wind become agents that transport plastic waste into nearby streams and rivers through drainage systems. Lightweight items, such as bags, straws, cotton buds, and wrappers are easily carried by the wind, causing them to reach coastal areas or enter the river before ultimately making their way into the ocean. There are an estimated 51 trillion plastic particles floating on the surface of the ocean, which together weigh 269,000 tonnes: the equivalent to the weight of 1,345 adult blue whales.

Plastics production has increased twentyfold since 1964. According to the World Economic Forum and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the equivalent of one garbage truck of plastic is dumped into our oceans every minute. At current rates, it is expected to increase to two per minute by 2030 and four per minute by 2050. By 2050, this could mean there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean.

The worst-affected area of the ocean is the North Pacific, where it is estimated that nearly two trillion pieces of plastic are present. The Pacific Ocean is home to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), the largest of five offshore plastic accumulation zones around the world. It is twice the size of Texas, or three times the size of France. There are an estimated 1.3 trillion of plastic pieces in the Indian Ocean, 930 billion in the North Atlantic, and another 491 billion in the South Pacific.

The staggering amount of plastic waste that ends up in the ocean also ultimately leads to the contamination of marine ecosystems. Marine wildlife, including seabirds, whales, fish, and turtles, often mistake plastic waste for their natural prey. Plastic bags, resembling jellyfish, a primary food source for leatherback turtles, and fishing nets, resembling seaweed, can lead these animals to ingest harmful materials. Tragically, many of them succumb to starvation as their stomachs become filled with plastic. Sea turtles are also vulnerable to entanglement, particularly from six-pack rings that can become wrapped around their shells and necks, further endangering their well-being. The presence of floating plastics also facilitates the transportation of invasive marine species, posing a significant risk to marine biodiversity and the overall food web.

Researchers from the University of Exeter discovered microplastic traces in the digestive systems of sea turtles. Tests on 102 sea turtles in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean - revealed microplastics in the guts of every single turtle. The most common microplastic was fibre, which can potentially come from sources including clothing, tyres, cigarette filters and maritime equipment such as ropes and fishing nets.

Solinatra: Innovative Solution to Reduce Plastic Waste

It is important to make real efforts to uphold and enhance existing global binding agreements addressing plastic waste pollution. However, the urgency of addressing plastic waste pollution requires a collective effort. Collaboration among governments, research institutions, and industries is essential to collectively redesign products with a specific focus on reducing plastic waste. The shift towards more sustainable consumption patterns also needs active involvement from consumers and society at large. Simultaneously, policies promoting circular economies should be embraced.

Compostable and biodegradable materials made of Solinatra offer a transformative solution in the fight against plastic pollution. Because Solinatra is not plastic, its end-of-life doesn't become waste, but a nutrient-rich soil instead. Unlike traditional plastics, which break down into microplastics that stay for centuries; Solinatra degrades through natural decomposition processes, returning to the environment as organic matter. Solinatra is derived from renewable resources like agricultural and plant waste, making our materials more sustainable throughout their entire lifecycle.

Companies can simply redesign their packaging with Solinatra because our materials are compatible with existing manufacturing machinery without compromising on the convenience of consumers' use. Our materials are both home and industrial compostable and align with Sustainable Development Goals. By switching to Solinatra, we can move towards a future where our daily waste can coexist harmoniously with nature. For manufacturers or brands who want to create a truly sustainable business, we're just a click away! Check the details of our materials or get in touch with us here.

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