Plastic is everywhere!

Our planet has an estimate of over 5.25 billion tons of ocean plastic.

There are over 300 million tons of plastic produced worldwide each year.

We are heavily reliant on plastic products.

Here are some facts about plastic pollution that show just how big of a problem we, as a society, are dealing with.

1. HOW MANY PLASTIC BAGS ARE MADE EVERY YEAR?

There are now more than five trillion single-use plastic bags being produced worldwide each year; that's around one million tons of plastic waste.

That’s a lot of trips to the grocery store.

2. HOW MUCH PLASTIC IS CREATED ANNUALLY?

In 1950, only 2 million tons of plastic per year was produced in the world.

By 2015, that ballooned to over 381 million tons, AND continues to increase every single year.

Unless current trends change, by 2050, the world will create more plastic than fish globally.

3. WHERE DOES PLASTIC POLLUTION COME FROM?

Plastic pollution comes from many sources including: product manufacturing, shipping and transportation, consumer use and disposal.

80% of the plastic in the world's ocean enter from our rivers and coastlines.

To face plastic pollution head-on, we need to stop it before it gets to the ocean, at the source!

4. HOW MUCH PLASTIC IS NOT RECYCLED?

As much talk as there is about recycling, especially plastic, how much plastic is really recycled?

Only 8.7% of plastic was recycled in 2018. Over 91% of all plastic that was produced was not recycled! Most of the recycled 8.7% came from plastic water bottles.

Most plastics make their way to landfills where they take hundreds of years to degrade.

5. HOW MUCH PLASTIC IS IN THE OCEAN?

8 million metric tons of plastics enter the oceans every year.

Add that to the estimated 150 million metric tons that currently reside there right now. Staggering numbers, indeed.

Plastics are piling up in landfills and oceans faster than we recycle them.

And the problem is compounding annually.

6. HOW MUCH MICROPLASTIC DOES THE AVERAGE PERSON EAT?

There are many types of plastics that are harmful to humans.

A big one is microplastics.

Microplastics are extremely small pieces of plastic that are 5mm in size or less. They can be found virtually everywhere.

We eat and breath these plastic particles every week!

A study estimates that humans eat over 35000 particles of plastic annually, and those estimates increase to over 70000 particles when we add in our innate ability to breath.

Additionally:

This study suggests that when a person gets their water mainly from bottles, that could increase to over 90000 particles a year.

7. HOW MUCH IS 10 LBS OF PLASTIC?

Sometimes different units of measurement can be hard to really visualize.

Visualizing the weight of something can be especially hard because a pound of steel looks a lot different than a pound of feathers.

The same is true of plastic.

It’s such a lightweight material, that it’s hard to visualize what one pound of plastic would actually look like.

It takes about 47 empty half-liter water bottles to make a pound of plastic, and 8 empty gallon milk jugs to make a pound of plastic.

This means that ten pounds of plastic can be made up of 470 water bottles or 80 milk jugs!

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Although these facts can be a bit overwhelming, all of us can help in reducing our own plastic waste.

Every little bit helps.

At Repurpose Recycle, we are committed to reducing & eliminating ocean-bound plastic.

Donate or shop now to support our mission.

It’s hard to imagine life without plastic.

It’s in our food, our houses, and products we use every day.

The rise of plastic usage in the last few decades has been a mark of unrelenting technological progress, but one that drags behind it untold consequences.

Research over the last few years has shown that plastics are not only negatively impacting the environment and wildlife, but are creating disastrous consequences for humans.

Below are just a few of the types of common plastics and their effects on human health.

Microplastics & Human Health

Microplastics are pieces of plastic that are 5mm in size or less.

They’re released from common household items such as sofas, carpets, or curtains, and are also found in food (specifically produce, seafood, and salt).

Humans can easily ingest these tiny pieces of plastic, especially because they don’t biodegrade, and inadvertently ingest chemical additives that can cause cancer, infertility, and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Most microplastics that are consumed orally pass through the body, but the smallest particles can actually enter the bloodstream and make their ways to vital organs.

This can cause oxidative stress, DNA damage, and inflammation (which has been linked to a variety of further health problems, including Alzheimer’s).

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BPA - What is it & How Harmful is it?

You’ve probably recognize the name of this plastic from seeing “BPA-free” labels on some cans in the grocery store.

But what exactly is BPA, and why is it so harmful?

Bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA, is an endocrine-disrupting chemical found in too many everyday products to name.

Water bottles, canned food, and plastic containers are some of the most common culprits.

When BPA breaks down, it can easily enter the body through food and water and interfere with hormone function.

This can be especially disastrous to the proper development of infants and children.

What are Phthalates?

Phthalates are a type of acid found mostly in a variety flexible plastics, which in turn are used to make objects such as children’s toys, shampoo, vinyl flooring, and food packaging.

Once phthalates enter the world in these products, they are released into the air through surface contact, the manufacturing process, the simple usage of PVC products, and the disposal of said products.

Because phthalates are so innately included in so many everyday items, escaping their use would be next to impossible.

However:

Research has linked phthalates with birth defects, insulin resistance, reproductive issues, and endocrine disruption.

what can be done to protect human health from plastic waste?

Although plastic pollution is increasing every year, there are things we can do now as a society and as individuals to help curb the effects of plastic that are harmful to humans and animal health.

Support organizations invested in cleaning up ocean-bound plastic
Reduce your own plastic use
Join in clean up efforts across the globe
Organize events in your community to spread awareness about plastic pollution

There are many ways to help reduce the amount of harmful plastics in the ocean.

Start today to help improve the lives and health of many people, including your own, by reducing the harmful effects of plastic pollution everywhere.

Our mission is to reduce this urgent problem and we need your help to do it!

What have you done to reduce plastic waste in your community?

7 Facts About Plastic Pollution