How can we prevent plastic from entering the ocean?

So what can you do about ocean plastic pollution?

1. Reduce your use of single-use plastics.
2. Recycle correctly.
3. Participate in (or organize) a beach or river cleanup.
4. Support ban.
5. Avoid products containing microbeads.
6. Spread the word.
7. Support organizations dealing with plastic pollution.

What is being done to prevent marine pollution?

Large-Scale Solutions to Marine Pollution The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has enacted several laws to help protect beaches, reduce pollution from ships, reduce marine litter, and ban ocean dumping. Cut down on industrial and manufacturing waste and seal landfills so they don't spill into the sea.

How can we save marine animals from plastic?

You can help prevent plastic from harming marine life

1. Reduce the use of plastic. Help stop plastic pollution at the source!
2. Plastic water bottles.
3. Plastic bags.
4. Straws, to-go cups, food containers and utensils.
5. Pay attention to packaging.
6. Act for World Ocean Day!
7. An hour for the sea!

How much plastic is in the ocean in 2020?

There are now 5.25 trillion macro and micro pieces of plastic in our oceans and 46,000 pieces in every square kilometer of ocean weighing up to 269,000 tonnes.

How does plastic kill animals?

Plastic contains toxic chemicals that can increase the risk of disease and affect reproduction. After ingesting microplastics, seals and other animals can suffer for months or even years before dying. Nets and other man-made equipment can entangle and kill whales, dolphins, turtles, seals and other marine animals.

What will the ocean look like in 2050?

Experts say that by 2050 there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean, or perhaps only plastic left. Others say 90% of our coral reefs could be dead, waves of mass ocean extinction could be triggered, and our oceans could be left overheated, acidified and lacking oxygen. It is easy to forget that 2050 is not that far away.

How can we reduce the amount of plastic in the ocean?

Help remove plastic from the ocean and prevent it from getting there in the first place by participating in or organizing a cleanup of your local beach or waterway. This is one of the most direct and rewarding ways to combat ocean plastic pollution.

What can you do to help with ocean pollution?

Become a volunteer at a creek, park or ocean cleanup day. Become a catalyst for change by educating others on the topic of plastic pollution. Help persuade your state or local government to ban the use of plastic bags or other single-use plastic items that pollute the oceans.

What is the best way to get rid of plastic?

Invest in a ziplock fabric bag and ask that your cleaned items be returned in it instead of wrapped in plastic. (And while you're at it, be sure to visit a dry cleaner that skips perc, a toxic chemical found in some cleaning solvents.)

How does plastic pollution affect the marine environment?

Coral reefs, home to more than 25% of marine life, have also been devastated by plastic pollution that blocks sunlight and causes disease. Once infection and disease takes hold, it can spread across coral colonies and damage the entire ecosystem. How can we stop plastic pollution in the ocean?