---

Plastic pollution is by no means a new phenomenon, and yet I always act surprised when I hear about the impact it’s having on my environment.

My expert team have done extensive research on the matter, so that you don’t have to. 

Changing the world for the better starts with knowledge.

That’s why the ByPurify team has created a comprehensive list of mind blowing plastic pollution facts you should know…

Why Does Plastic Pollution Matter?

Plastic pollution matters because it has become one of the most pressing environmental problems of my time. 

This is due to the rapid increase in the production of plastic products and throwing away more than the world's able to deal with. 

Plastic pollution is most common in developing countries in Asia and Africa, where disposal systems are often ineffective or non-existent. 

But developed countries, especially countries with low recycling rates, are struggling to collect discarded plastics properly. 

Plastic waste has become so widespread that it has sparked efforts to draft a global treaty endorsed by the United Nations. 

Get this

Every minute, a truckload of plastic waste is dumped into the ocean.

This littering and plastic pollution endangers marine life, threatens human health, and leads to huge hidden costs in the economy. 

This global threat requires a global response, and the upcoming United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2) is an important step for governments and policymakers to make a difference¹.

What Are The Types Of Plastic?

There are 7 different types of plastic, including high-density polyethylene and polystyrene. 

In today's world, I use "plastic" as a buzzword to describe the many shapes and forms of this material. However, it’s a lot more than that.

It’s important to know about these types as it helps us in my journey as informed, eco-conscious consumers. 

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

I see PET plastics in my daily lives - they’re in almost every grocery aisle. 

They’re often used as packaging for soda, water, medicine bottles, and household cleaning products.

PET plastics are widely used because they can prevent oxygen from entering the bag and destroying the perishable products inside. 

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

HDPE plastic is mostly opaque and is used in containers for milk, motor oil, shampoos, conditioners, and other toiletries. 

They’re stronger and more stable than Type 1 plastics, and they're often recycled. 

These plastics can be used for food and drinks if they’re used for the same purpose. 

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

PVC plastic is a hard plastic that’s often used to make pipes, tubes, and tiles. 

It’s also used in toys, filters, cooking oil bottles, inflatable mattresses, and more.

The use of these types of plastic can produce various pollutants such as bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, lead, dioxins, mercury, and cadmium, which are believed to be carcinogens. 

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

Low-grade plastics are the most durable and flexible types of plastics that are easy and cheap to process. 

LDPE plastic is used in shopping bags, plastic wraps, and bottles.

Although LDPE plastic is safe for human use, it’s nearly impossible to recycle and therefore often ends up in my landfills.

Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene plastic has a high melting point and is used for storing hot food in microwaveable dishes. 

Because of their durable nature, they’re also used in yogurt containers, syrup bottles, and prescription bottles. 

Although it offers many excellent qualities, such as heat resistance and durability, this plastic can’t be recycled and isn’t suitable for human use.

Polystyrene (PS)

Polystyrene plastic (PS) is a transparent thermoplastic that’s available both as a conventional rigid plastic and as a rigid foam material.

Polystyrene is a versatile plastic used in a variety of consumer applications. 

As a strong, durable plastic, it’s often used in products that require clarity, such as food packaging, shipping containers, and laboratory furniture.

Unfortunately, these plastics aren’t always recycled and never fully degrade, meaning that when not collected from the field, they will take hundreds of years to decompose. 

Polystyrene plastic has also been shown to be toxic and harmful to human health.

Others

The most commonly used plastic that falls into this category is polycarbonate, which has been linked to toxic BPA. 

It’s used in baby bottles, compact discs, and medicine storage containers. 

Materials such as bioplastics that are mixed with rubber also fall into this category.

10 General Facts & Figures About Plastic Pollution

It's no secret that plastic is dangerous for the environment, which is why we’ve compiled a list of 10 general facts and figures related to plastic pollution. 

Let’s take a look:

• Global plastic production has increased dramatically, from 2.1 million tons in 1950 to 147 million in 1993 and 406 million in 2015.
• Only 9% of plastic produced is recycled.
• 2 million plastic bags are used globally every 60 seconds. 
• Single-use plastic is illegal in some countries.
• Every minute of every day, truckloads of plastic are thrown into the ocean.
• 73% of litter on beaches worldwide is plastic.
• Every 60 seconds, approximately 1 million plastic bottles are bought.
• The duration of use of the plastic bag is only 12 minutes.
• Global plastic production has doubled in the last 50 years.
• Every day, about 8 million pieces of plastic waste end up in my oceans.

8 Shocking Facts & Figures About Plastic Pollution

Many factors contribute to plastic pollution; however, these 8 shocking facts and figures about plastic pollution help to paint a more alarming picture.

Let’s take a look at a few:

• About 8.3 billion tons of plastic have been produced since 1950, which is the weight of about a billion elephants or 47 million blue whales.
• Plastic production is estimated to increase by around 60% by the year 2030 and triple by 2050.
• Producing one ton of plastic produces up to 2.5 tons of carbon dioxide. 
• 90% of plastic is produced from resources obtained from fossil oil and gas.
• The life expectancy of plastic can be anywhere from 450 years to forever. 
• The biggest market for plastic today is for packaging. This waste makes up almost half of the plastic waste produced worldwide - it isn’t recycled or incinerated. 
• More than 30 countries have local or national bans on plastic bags, and many others have imposed fees or taxes on disposable bags.
• 500 million straws are produced every day in the United States alone - that's more than one straw per day for every American! 

10 Wildlife-Related Facts & Figures About Plastic Pollution

There’s no doubt that the environmental situation caused by my excessive and senseless use of plastic is dire, which is why we've made a list of 10 wildlife-related facts and figures about plastic pollution.

It’s time you knew the truth.

• Recently, scientists have discovered microplastics that have been washed into the Arctic waters.
• Plastics account for 80% of all marine debris. 
• There may be as many as 5.25 trillion macro and microplastics floating in the oceans. 
• 100,000 mammals and turtles and 1 million seabirds are killed every year by water pollution.
• As many as 5,000 pieces of plastic pollution have been found in one mile of beach in the UK. 
• 10 rivers transport up to 95% of plastic pollution in the ocean.
• 99% of seabirds will consume plastic by 2050.
• 12 million tons of plastic are thrown into the ocean annually.
• By 2050, almost every bird species on the planet will be consuming plastic. 
• Crustaceans tested in the deepest part of the ocean, Mariana Trench, ingested plastic.

4 Health-Related Facts & Figures About Plastic Pollution

I all know plastic is a useful and versatile material I use daily. 

But my addiction to it, especially in the form of mass consumption, is causing a huge problem all over the world. 

Let's look at some facts:

• The average person consumes 70,000 microplastics annually.
• Low-income communities face the health impacts of being close to plastic factories, are often exposed to pollution, and bear the brunt of inappropriate plastic waste.
• New research has found that when plastic is exposed to sunlight, it releases carbon dioxide. Not only does plastic contribute to climate change during its production, but it also does so during its degradation.
• People living along the coasts of China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam are most affected by plastic pollution. 

What Can Be Done About Plastic Pollution?

The problem of plastic pollution may seem overwhelming, but I can all do something to make a difference.

The action I can take includes avoiding single-use plastics and recycling, donating, and repairing.

Let’s take a closer look:

Avoid Single-Use Plastics

Avoiding single-use plastics means not using plastic bags, straws, drying bags, water bottles, take-out food, and coffee cups. 

8 out of 10 of the most common things that end up in the ocean are food-related, so whenever possible, bring reusable containers, and utensils.

Recycle, Donate, Repair

There are 7 different types of plastic, but not all of them are recyclable. 

Always check with your local government to see what types of plastic your city recycles. 

If in doubt, throw it in the trash. 

Also, take note of this:

Ensure the plastic you recycle is clean, as any dirt or food waste can contaminate a single recyclable plastic bale. 

Give the bubble wrap and packaging peanuts, which can't be recycled, back to the store or donate them to charity stores.

When things break, opt to repair them instead of getting a new one. 

Other things you can do:

• Put pressure on the wrongdoers and praise those who reduce the use of plastic.
• Be determined to reduce your plastic consumption.
• Participate in cleaning operations.
• Support groups fighting plastic pollution.

Common Questions

In Conclusion

Although plastic is almost inevitable in my lives these days, it is a recent phenomenon. 

Reducing plastic production is critical, and these mind blowing plastic pollution facts illustrate why.

Businesses and individuals alike must also be willing to find more green materials, and reuse and recycling must become the norm. 

So the next time you're looking for a plastic water bottle, plastic bag, or plastic lid, ask yourself: Are there better, more sustainable options?