Key Terms
What causes plastic to be useful, but still a long-lasting pollutant to the environment?
The chemicals in plastic make it resistant to degradation, which is why it lasts in the environment for hundreds of years.
What is an example of the physical harm caused by plastics to marine animals, other than ingestion?
Ex. Animals get entangled, injured, or trapped in plastic.
Name at least one thing an individual can do to reduce single-use plastic waste.
Ex. Use reusable bags and bottles.
What is the significance of the UN Global Plastics Treaty in international policy?
It is the world's first treaty to end plastic pollution.
Almost what percent of plastic waste generated globally is recycled currently?
Approximately 9 percent of plastic gets recycled worldwide.
Why is pollution in the marine environment with plastics higher due to single-use plastics?
It is used only once and then discarded, thus contributing to pollution.
What is the long-term environmental effect of the decomposition of plastics into microplastics?
Ex. Microplastics pollute ecosystems and food chains.
What is one action governments have taken to reduce plastic pollution?
Ex. Ban or tax single-use plastics.
How does the Clean Seas Initiative help reduce plastic pollution?
It influences governments and the public to use single-use plastics to improve the management of waste and raise awareness about plastic pollution.
What is an estimate of the amount of plastic waste that is thrown into the ocean per year?
11 million tons
How are microplastics formed through the breaking process?
Large plastics break down into tiny pieces without disappearing.
How does nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff affect marine ecosystems?
Ex. Algae consume the oxygen in water bodies, thereby creating dead zones.
How can companies be held financially responsible for plastic waste?
Ex. By using policies that require companies to fund their own products' plastic waste.
How does marine plastic pollution demonstrate the need for transboundary cooperation?
Ex. Ocean waves can carry plastic across borders, making it challenging for a single country to address the issue without coordinated international action.
Since the mid-20th century, around how much plastic has been produced worldwide?
8.3 billion tons have been produced since the 1950s.
What does a circular economy intend to achieve in the management of plastic materials?
It attempts to reuse and recycle to prevent plastics from entering the environment.
Why is the presence of microplastics in human tissues a big issue?
Because microplastics can impact organ function and cause health problems.
How do deposit-return mechanisms promote good plastic waste management practices?
They refund people for returning bottles for recycling.
How does the UN Environment Program facilitate global action on plastics?
Ex. It organizes treaties and campaigns to address the impacts of plastics, such as the Clean Seas initiative.
What are the predictions for global plastic production by the year 2060?
It's expected to triple.
How does the concept of plastic footprint relate to over-consumption and waste?
It is the total volume of plastic consumed and discarded in a given area by an individual or group.
How could plastic pollution destabilize the economies of coastal communities in certain areas?
It can harm fishing, tourism and cause cleanup costs.
How can companies redesign their products to help decrease plastic pollution?
They can design products that use less plastic or are made from recyclable plastic.
How do technology transfers and financial aid support developing nations in tackling plastic pollution?
It provides money and technology to poorer countries to build infrastructure and manage waste effectively
What is the prediction about plastic biomass in the ocean in comparison to fish biomass by 2050
It is predicted that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050.