Zac Levenson – Year 12

It is no secret that plastic, particularly single use plastic, has and is continuing to cause major problems due to its long decomposition time and the sheer amount being created and used. However, nowhere is the impact of plastic more clear than in our oceans. Each year 10 million tonnes of plastic end up in the ocean (more than a garbage truck a minute) and this is leading to devastating impacts on ocean ecosystems and wildlife.

One place where the extent of plastic pollution is obvious is at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Due to ocean currents, a large amount of plastic from all over the world ends up in this area within the Pacific. Not only is the garbage dump causing immense damage to the native ecosystem, but it is also leading to the spreading of microplastics into birds and fish which can cause illness and even death.

In a study conducted, 100% of mussels tested from a huge area were found to have microplastics contamination, while a low-ball estimate suggests that at least one million marine animals have been killed by plastic already this year. The most visible and disturbing impacts of marine plastics are the poisoning, suffocation and entanglement of hundreds of marine species. Marine wildlife such as seabirds, whales, fishes and turtles mistake plastic waste for prey, and most die of starvation as their stomachs are filled with plastic debris. They also suffer from lacerations, infections, reduced ability to swim and internal injuries. Floating plastics also contribute to the spread of invasive marine organisms and bacteria, which disrupt ecosystems. Evidently ocean plastic is having a devastating impact on marine life and ecosystems.

Great Pacific Garden Patch

What can you do about it?

For a start it is always important to be informed. Do some research into the topic so you further understand the issue. Then an important step is to educate others. Let them know about the impact of plastic and then they too will have the power to make change.

One way to make change is by being more conscious of, and cutting down on single use plastic usage. Most of this plastic is thrown away just minutes after usage and can take hundreds or even thousands of years to decompose. Try to not take an extra bag at the store if you don’t need it, use beeswax wraps instead of cling wrap, don’t use plastic straws and use metal water bottles instead of plastic ones.

Additionally, another way to enact change is to dispose of or recycle plastic you use effectively. There are now ‘redcycle’ bins which allow for the recycling of soft plastics all over the eastern suburbs. Click here for more information about redcycle.  

While education and recycling feel like they cannot solve such a big issue, if everyone makes small changes, it can amount to a real difference. There are also charities and NGOs such as Plastic Oceans Australasia, which is part of a global network of NGOs trying to change attitudes towards plastic as well as to remove ocean plastic and preserve ocean life, so donating your time or money to these organisations can make a huge difference.