The scale of ocean plastic pollution is staggering, with millions of tons of plastic waste entering the world’s oceans each year. This crisis has reached every corner of the globe, from the most remote islands to the deepest ocean trenches, where plastic debris threatens marine life, ecosystems, and even human health.

The problem is so vast that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the challenge.

However, amid this environmental catastrophe, there is a growing movement of individuals, organizations, and governments dedicated to turning the tide against plastic pollution. From innovative clean-up technologies and global policy initiatives to grassroots activism and green business technology, efforts to combat ocean plastic are gaining momentum.

While the road ahead is long, these actions provide a beacon of hope that, with collective effort, we can protect our oceans and restore their health for future generations.

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A Crisis of Epic Proportions

• Over 8 million tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, contributing significantly to marine pollution.
  
  

• The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located between Hawaii and California, covers an area of 1.6 million square kilometers, which is twice the size of Texas.
  
  

• Plastic makes up 80% of all marine debris found from surface waters to deep-sea sediments.
  
  

• Approximately 100,000 marine mammals are killed by marine plastic pollution annually. 81 out of 123 marine mammal species are known to have eaten or been entangled in plastic, and all seven sea turtle species are affected.
  
  

• By 2050, it is estimated that there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by weight if current trends continu
  
  

• It is estimated that 75 to 199 million tonnes of plastic is currently found in our oceans
  
  

• Microplastics have been found in 114 aquatic species, including some that are commonly consumed by humans.
  
  

• An estimated 90% of seabirds alive today have plastic in their stomachs due to the ingestion of plastic debris in the ocean.
  
  

• Plastic pollution costs the global economy an estimated $13 billion annually in damages to marine ecosystems.
  
  

• Approximately 700 species of marine animals are threatened by plastic pollution, either through ingestion, entanglement, or habitat disruption.
  
  

• Rivers carry millions of tons of plastic into the sea every year, with the majority coming from just 10 rivers in Asia and Africa.
  
  

• 90% of all plastic ever produced has not been recycled, leading to the accumulation of waste in the environment.
  
  

• The fishing industry is responsible for about 10% of ocean plastic, primarily through lost or discarded fishing gear.
  
  

• Plastics take hundreds of years to decompose in the ocean, depending on the type and environmental conditions.
  
  

• Over 1 million plastic bottles are purchased every minute around the world, contributing significantly to plastic waste.
  
  

• Nearly every species of sea turtle has been found to ingest plastic, mistaking it for food such as jellyfish.
  
  

• About 50% of the plastic produced is designed to be used only once, leading to significant waste generation and environmental impact. Source: UNEP

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These shocking statistics highlight the severity of the ocean plastic crisis and underscore the urgent need for collective action to reduce plastic waste and protect marine ecosystems.

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Can we turn the tide?

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Despite the overwhelming numbers and statistics outlined above, the fight against the ocean plastic crises is on. Through individual, community, charity, and corporate efforts, the war can be won.

Positive Statistics and Facts About Ocean Plastic Removal Efforts

• The Ocean Cleanup project has successfully removed over 16 million kilograms of plastic from the world’s oceans since its inception.
  
  

• 4ocean has pulled more than 35 million pounds of plastic and trash from the ocean and coastlines worldwide since 2017.
  
  

• Parley for the Oceans has partnered with Adidas to create over 30 million pairs of shoes made from upcycled ocean plastic since 2015, raising awareness and reducing plastic waste.
  
  

• The Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) has removed over 1,200 tons of ghost gear from the ocean since 2015, protecting marine life from deadly entanglement.
  
  

• Plastic Bank has stopped the equivalent of 4 billion plastic bottles from entering the ocean by turning plastic waste into currency in developing countries, helping to reduce poverty and pollution simultaneously.
  
  

• NextWave Plastics, a consortium of global companies, has diverted more than 20,000 metric tons of ocean-bound plastic from entering the ocean, turning it into new products instead.
  
  

• The Trash Wheel project in Baltimore removes over 500 tons of trash from the Baltimore Harbor each year, including 1 million plastic bottles, preventing this debris from reaching the Chesapeake Bay.
  
  

• The United Nations’ Clean Seas campaign has engaged over 60 countries, representing more than 60% of the world’s coastlines, to commit to reducing plastic waste and protecting marine environments.
  
  

• Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup mobilizes millions of volunteers each year, resulting in the removal of over 350 million pounds of trash from beaches and waterways since 1986.
  
  

• The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy initiative has committed over 450 organizations to the goal of eliminating plastic waste and pollution through circular economy principles.
  
  

• A number of countries have banned non-biodegradable plastic bags completely - a vital step in the fight against plastic pollution.
  
  

• The UK has reduced its usage of single-use plastic bags by 95% in main supermarkets since introducing a plastic bag charge in 2015, significantly reducing plastic waste.
  
  

• Hawaii became the first U.S. state to ban plastic bags at checkout in 2015, a significant move towards reducing plastic pollution in the Pacific Ocean.
  
  

• Coca-Cola’s “World Without Waste” initiative aims to collect and recycle a bottle or can for every one sold by 2030, with significant progress already made in various markets.
  
  

• The Plastic Free July movement, started in 2011, has grown to involve over 250 million participants across 177 countries, leading to a significant reduction in single-use plastics, estimated to be in the billions of kilograms.
  
  

These statistics illustrate the significant impact that individuals, organizations, and innovative technologies are having on reducing ocean plastic pollution.

While the fight against ocean plastic is far from over, these efforts show that progress is being made, and that with continued dedication, cleaner, healthier oceans are within reach.

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Making a Difference with Green Technology

From plastic clearing robots and sustainability tracking apps, to ocean trash collectors and ingenious plastic alternatives, technology is at the forefront of the fight against plastic waste.

Ecodrive is one such technology that allows businesses of all sizes to start making an impact.

It’s never been easier to connect actions such as sales, customer reviews, meetings booked, targets met, or even emails sent, to environmental projects like ocean plastic removal.

Take a look at the companies making a difference with Ecodrive here.

And begin your journey to business sustainability by booking a demo with our team here.

Together we can make our oceans clean again.  

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