There is no such thing as ‘away’. When we throw anything away, it must go somewhere.
– Annie Leonard
Have you seen videos of sea creatures trapped in plastic waste? Do you also get worried about their survival or feel sad when you see them choked to death? Do you know how much plastic annually ends up in the ocean? Do you also want to find solutions to plastic pollution in the ocean?
As per an article by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, around 14 million tons of plastic is added to the oceans annually. This is a threat to marine wildlife as they sometimes eat plastics. I have also watched footage of a turtle struggling to breathe as a plastic pipe was trapped under its nose.
Table of Contents
How does plastic end up in the ocean?
There are many ways through which plastic ends up in the ocean.
| Direct Way | Indirect Way |
|---|---|
| 1. Littering on beaches | Improper waste management |
| 2. Dumping plastics into waterways | Breakdown of plastic into microplastic |
| 3. Through rain and wind | Disposing of items in the toilets |
| 4. Dumping industrial waste into water bodies | Plastic waste through drains |
Parents, it’s time we make a difference! We need to fix things up by educating our kids, about finding solutions to plastic pollution in the ocean. Let us introduce the 3 R’s (reduce reuse recycle). To make it relatable to kids, we can provide real-life examples.
3 R’s- Reduce Reuse Recycle
Reduce: Say No to Single-use Plastics
Single-use Plastic Products (SUPs) are those plastic items that can either be used at one point or for a short duration before they are discarded. We can find a lot of SUPs around us. Here are some examples:
- Plastic Bottles
- Plastic Bags
- Wrappers
- Straws
- Sanitary Items
- Soft-drink Containers and more
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in one of its articles stated that 91 per cent of the plastics are not recycled. With time, these plastics break up into very tiny particles called microplastics. Slowly they end up in land, air and water.
Here are a few alternatives to inspire/swap that kids can make. With time they can become solutions to plastic pollution in the ocean.
Reuse and Repurpose: Give Plastic a Second Life!
Reusing and repurposing is the best way to teach kids to find solutions to plastic pollution in the ocean. This will benefit in many ways.
Benefits of Recycling Plastic
- Reduces the consumption of Platic.
- Easy on the pocket.
- Less dumping of waste in landfills.
- Less waste production.
Here are a few ways that kids can reuse or repurpose plastics.
Also Read: Mosquito Breeding Sites
Recycle: Saving the Oceans
Parents, you can teach kids about the importance of recycling plastic waste. Educate them on how plastic can end up in the oceans if we do not throw them away properly. Educate them to collect any litter they spot and dispose in the nearest dustbin. After all, ignoring waste is equivalent to littering!
The process of Recycling plastic is long. You can find the step-by-step process of recycling plastic here.
Parents, you can also tell kids what the recycled plastics can turn into after being recycled. Here is a list to help you out.
| Products | Recycled Into |
|---|---|
| Plastic bottles | New bottles, seats, buckets, fleece jackets, backpacks. |
| Milk jugs | Flower Pots, carpet fibres. |
| Plastic Bags | Benches, surfboards. |
So next time you use a plastic item, remember – it doesn’t have to be the end of the story! By recycling, you can give plastic a second life and help protect our oceans.
Also Read: Top 4 Healthy Tips for Kids
The 4th R- Recover
Here is another R for you to tell kids about solutions to plastic pollution in the ocean Parents. Recover– the ultimate conversion.
Do you know whatever plastic is left after recycling, can be used to generate energy? This can be heat, electricity or any other form.
Also Read: 5 Fun Ways to Teach Kids about Solar Energy in India
Kids might want to know more about this. Here is a waste-to-energy virtual tour video.
Solutions to plastic pollution in the ocean
On 22nd April, World Earth Day is celebrated. The theme for 2024 was Planet vs Plastics. As citizens, we must find a solution to the marine pollution that is threatening.
Participate in clean-up programs
Participate in an ocean/water clean-up organised near you. You can either ask your kids to participate or be visitors to such programs.
If you do not spot any program being organised, just clean any litter around the ocean/waterbody near you. Your efforts will make a difference in your child too!
The Global Ocean Cleanup is an international event held in June 2023. You can take notes for any future event like this to participate.
Word of mouth
Ask your kids to spread awareness about finding solutions to plastic pollution in the ocean. They can tell their friends and family about this. Your work is accomplished even if a person takes a step in this regard.
Support Organisations
Ngo’s like Goonj work to reduce urban waste. Educate your child about the work these Ngo do and their functioning.
Conclusion
Marine Pollution has become a major challenge to us. It is time we make a difference and find solutions to plastic pollution in the ocean. We should educate our kids about the 3Rs of waste management- reduce, reuse, recycle (+ recover.) Every little bit counts!
FAQs
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How did plastic pollution start in the ocean?
Plastic pollution in the ocean wasn’t a sudden event. Over time, increasing plastic production, coupled with inadequate waste management, led to a rise in plastic trash.
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What is the largest source of plastic pollution in our ocean?
While plastic bags and straws grab headlines, the biggest culprit behind ocean plastic pollution is likely land-based waste mismanagement.
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What are the effects of plastic pollution in the ocean?
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a major threat to marine life. Animals can mistake plastic for food, leading to starvation or internal injuries. Plastic debris can also trap and entangle creatures, hindering their movement and ability to survive.
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