Plastic Pollution and the Ocean
As I continue throughout my dietetic internship, I had the opportunity to be involved in a sustainability rotation. I learned how dietitians can help implement more sustainable practices and recommendations to all. I used to be an environmental engineering major before I switched to nutrition (quite the switch… I know). I’ve always had a passion for the environment, and I try my best to implement my own sustainable practices. I’m particularly interested in plastic pollution, and after I was a teaching assistant for a water sustainability class, my passion to help our oceans skyrocketed. Let’s get into it!
Why is Plastic in the Ocean Concerning?
#1 Impacts marine biodiversity
Many marine animals are suffering and/or dying due to plastic either being ingested or physically wrapped around them. From whales, turtles, dolphins, seals, and even some of the smallest organisms such as zooplankton – too many animals are being affected by this man-made material. This in turn negatively impacts the ocean ecosystem.
The ocean does many things for us humans, 7 important areas to be exact:
-Climate regulation
-Transportation
-Food
-Medicine
-Business/money
-Recreation
We rely heavily on the ocean as it gives us tons of resources, money, and memories. Plastic is interfering with our ocean’s ability to thrive and is having a negative impact on all 7 areas listed above. Most concerning, plastic is now being found in our food and water systems.
#2 Plastic is a Health Hazard
Since plastic is consumed by fish in the ocean, and we consume fish, there is now evidence of fish in our food products. What happens when we ingest plastic? How much plastic are we consuming? Can we visibly see the plastic or is it microplastic? Or both?
These are all valid and great questions which I frankly don’t have the immediate answer to. From researching the studies done on plastics and how it interferes with our health, I found there wasn’t enough research on direct consumption of plastic from seafood or drinking water. What I do know is this:
– Plastics contain toxic chemicals
BPA and Pthalates are both found in certain types of plastic. BPA is found more so in hard plastic products like water bottles and tupperware. Pthalates are found in flexible plastic products.
Both BPA and Pthalates are endocrine disruptors.¹ Basically, they mimic the action of hormones. This can lead to infertility issues and developmental problems in children. While there is not enough research on long term consumption of plastic, the effects of consuming BPA and Pthalates should be kept in the back of our minds.
-Plastic negatively impacts organ health
A study done on mice found that after consumption, the plastic started depositing on the organs of the mice.² Essentially, the plastic did not go in one end and out the other, it stayed in the body. This is analogous to the breakdown of plastics – they never break down. They just continue to get broken down into microplastics and float around in our ocean and build up on land. And just like in the bodies of the mice, they didn’t just break down and disappear. They’re still here.
While these are alarming things to think about – there are things we can do right now to help decrease our plastic use! Of course, we can all individually help to reduce the plastic burden, but the bigger issue here is getting our industries to step up and get more regulations on their plastic use.
In the meantime, here are some tips on reducing your plastic usage right at this second!
- Opt for reusable shopping bags
- Even if I go into Target I’ll bring my own reusable bag. It’s so much better than using a plastic bag for only 5-10 minutes and then immediately discarding it!
- Bring your water bottle with you wherever you go
- Even into restaurants if you desire
- Buy reusable storage bags versus disposable plastic ziplock bags
- And lastly, educate yourself and educate others! The planet needs you😊