why plastic waste is a problem
WHEN FISH EAT PLASTIC - SO DO YOU...
… and it is filled with toxic chemicals
The marine waste pollution problem
The marine waste problem in numbers
%
India’s share of global ocean plastic pollution emission, making it the 2nd largest contributor globally.
Why is this a problem?
Over time, ocean plastic degrades into microplastics, which are ingested by marine life and sometimes kills it. These microplastics later enter the human body through the food chain.
Source: RTS (2023). Plastic Pollution in The Ocean – 2026 Facts and Statistics; Our World in Data (2023). Plastic Pollution.
tons/year of plastic pollution is emitted to the ocean such as through rivers in India.
Why is this a problem?
Once the plastic enters the ocean it is difficult – if even possible – and costly to collect it again, and the quality degrades very fast. This makes the chance of recycling plastic that has entered the ocean very low – leaving it to break down into microplastics.
Source: Our world in Data Plastic waste and Pollution Data Explorer, 2019 numbers.
Ppp*/year of microplastics is ingested by people living in regions with high seafood intakes in their diet, such as India.
Why is this a problem for humans?
Microplastics act like magnets for toxins such as pesticides and heavy metals, which attach to the particles. When ingested, these particles can cause inflammation, hormonal disruptions, and long-term cancer risks. Microplastics can also cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the brain, potentially contributing to neurodegenerative diseases. Alarmingly, microplastics have already been detected in placentas, breast milk, and even human blood.
*Ppp (Particles per person)
Source: Phys.org (2024). Assessing impacts of microplastics on marine ecosystems and human health; PMC (2023). Plastic pollution: how can the global health community fight the growing problem?
These numbers however also highlight an untapped potential. The waste generated in India has potential to be a resource for new products if proper value chains and infrastructures is set up to support this, as we will do in the FBBB project.
