Large amounts of plastic rubbish end up in the sea every year. What problems does this cause, and what can be done to reduce it?

The most visible problem is the harm to marine animals. Turtles, seabirds and whales often mistake plastic bags and fragments for food, and the plastic blocks their stomachs, while other animals become trapped in old fishing nets and drown. The damage does not stop there. Over time, plastic breaks down into tiny pieces known as microplastics, which are eaten by small fish and passed up the food chain, so they can end up on our own plates. In addition, plastic washed up on beaches spoils coastlines, which hurts tourism and the incomes of fishing communities.

Fortunately, there are practical solutions. Governments can charge for or ban the single-use items that make up much of the waste, such as carrier bags, straws and disposable cutlery; charges for plastic bags have sharply reduced their use in many countries. Deposit-return schemes, in which customers get money back when they return bottles, give people a direct reason to recycle. Since a large share of ocean plastic comes from places with poor rubbish collection, investment in waste management in coastal areas would also stop plastic before it reaches rivers and the sea. Finally, education campaigns can encourage people to carry reusable bags and bottles.

In conclusion, plastic in the sea injures wildlife, enters the human food chain and damages coastal economies. Reducing single-use plastic, rewarding recycling and improving waste collection would together make a significant difference.