From Source to Sea: Overcome Plastic Pollution at Its Root

• October 7, 2024

In recent years, the devastating effects of plastic pollution have captured global attention. It’s a crisis that transcends borders, affecting ecosystems, economies, and public health. Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste find their way into the ocean, impacting marine life, degrading water quality, and contributing to the contamination of food chains. While efforts to clean up oceans have garnered significant momentum, the key to solving the problem lies at its root: reducing plastic pollution at the source.

The Scale of Plastic Pollution

Plastic, a seemingly indispensable material in modern life, has made its way into every corner of our planet. More than 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, according to the World Economic Forum. Most of this plastic originates from land-based sources, including urban runoff, improperly managed waste, and industrial activities.

One of the major problems with plastic is its persistence. Unlike organic materials, plastic does not biodegrade. It simply breaks down into smaller fragments known as microplastics. These microplastics are now found in virtually all parts of the ocean, from the deepest trenches to the surface waters. They enter the food web, affecting everything from plankton to large marine mammals and, ultimately, humans.

From Source to Sea

Plastic pollution is a complex issue, with many sources contributing to the problem. Rivers, in particular, act as major conduits, carrying plastics from inland areas to the sea. A study published in Environmental Science & Technology revealed that just 10 rivers, including the Yangtze, Ganges, and Niger, contribute to about 90% of plastic pollution entering the oceans. This underscores the need to address plastic pollution before it reaches these waterways.

Land-based activities are the primary source of plastic pollution. Urban areas, where waste management systems are often insufficient or overwhelmed, are key contributors. Single-use plastics, such as bags, straws, and food packaging, are among the most common items that end up in rivers, eventually reaching the sea.

Agriculture and industrial activities are also significant contributors. In many regions, plastic is used extensively in farming—through plastic mulch, irrigation systems, and packaging materials. When not properly managed, these plastics end up in nearby water bodies.

Tackling Plastic Pollution at Its Root

To address plastic pollution effectively, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. It requires action across the entire plastic lifecycle—from production to disposal.

1. Reduce Plastic Production
   One of the most effective ways to tackle plastic pollution is to reduce the production of single-use plastics. By minimizing the demand for disposable items and encouraging the development of alternative materials, industries can lower the overall volume of plastic waste entering the environment.

Governments are already taking action, with bans on plastic bags, straws, and other single-use items in place in several countries. However, more needs to be done at the production level. The development of biodegradable and compostable plastics is a promising solution, though these alternatives also require the proper infrastructure to ensure they break down as intended.

2. Improving Waste Management Systems
   Many developing countries struggle with inadequate waste management systems, leading to plastic waste being dumped in landfills or burned, releasing toxic fumes into the atmosphere. Investment in efficient waste management infrastructure, particularly in urban areas and along riverbanks, is critical.

Improved recycling efforts also play a key role. Globally, only about 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled, according to the United Nations. Expanding recycling programs and improving technologies that allow for better sorting, cleaning, and reprocessing of plastic materials can help divert more plastic from landfills and the ocean.

3. Innovative Cleanup Efforts
   While preventing plastic from reaching the ocean is the ideal solution, innovative cleanup projects have been developed to address the pollution that’s already there. Technologies such as The Ocean Cleanup’s floating barriers aim to collect plastic waste from rivers before it reaches the sea. Other organisations are focusing on beach cleanups and developing new methods to capture and recycle ocean plastics.
4. Corporate Responsibility
   Corporations have a significant role to play in reducing plastic pollution. Many large companies are now adopting sustainable packaging practices, using recycled materials, and committing to reducing their plastic footprint. Pressure from consumers, who are increasingly demanding environmentally-friendly products, has spurred businesses to rethink their packaging and waste strategies.

Initiatives such as extended producer responsibility (EPR) are also being adopted in some regions, where manufacturers are held accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, from production to disposal.

5. Educating and Engaging Communities
   Public awareness and engagement are crucial components of the solution. Community-based initiatives, such as plastic-free movements and educational campaigns, can drive behavioral change and encourage responsible consumption.

Schools, businesses, and local governments must collaborate to promote the reduction of plastic use, proper waste disposal, and participation in recycling programs. By fostering a culture of sustainability, communities can collectively reduce their contribution to plastic pollution.

PHAROS Sustainable Solutions for Ocean Pollution and Marine Protection

The PHAROS initiative, which is fostering entrepreneurship and creating solutions directly address marine litter at its source. Through the Citizen Litter Entrepreneurs program and the Fisher Guardians Program, PHAROS is redefining how we tackle ocean pollution by turning plastic waste into opportunities for sustainable business ventures

The PHAROS initiative is rooted in the belief that the health of our oceans is vital not only for marine ecosystems but also for the livelihoods of communities around the globe. PHAROS, in partnership with several European organizations and projects such as CIIMAR, PLOCAN, and GW, aims to implement tangible solutions to reduce marine litter, mitigate plastic pollution, and promote a climate-neutral blue economy.

Also, REMEDIES (Mediterranean Sea Lighthouse) project, which fosters a collaborative approach to protect marine environments by offering innovative solutions to monitor, collect, and prevent plastic waste from entering the ocean. It is part of the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” and emphasizes a strong, community-driven effort to prevent plastic pollution at its root.

Citizen Litter Entrepreneurs: Turning Pollution into Opportunity

The Citizen Litter Entrepreneurs initiative, developed as part of REMEDIES, is a game-changer in the fight against ocean plastic pollution. This program offers an entrepreneurial pathway to individuals and communities, guiding them to turn collected plastic litter into valuable products. By providing training, tools, and support to become plastic entrepreneurs, the initiative transforms a major environmental problem into a sustainable economic opportunity.

Citizen Litter Entrepreneurs are taught how to collect, process, and valorize plastic litter. Through a zero-waste model, they contribute to local economies while reducing plastic waste at its source. PHAROS is also fostering innovations in monitoring, collection, and prevention, aiming to create a circular economy around plastic waste. This empowers communities to not only clean up their environments but also generate livelihoods by developing products from collected waste, such as recycled plastic materials used for construction, fashion, or packaging.

This program exemplifies how environmental solutions and economic empowerment can go hand in hand. By turning the tide of plastic pollution, Citizen Litter Entrepreneurs are addressing the root causes of marine litter, reducing the amount of plastic entering waterways and ensuring cleaner oceans for future generations.

Fisher Guardians Program: Empowering the Fisheries Industry to Protect Our Oceans

Another pillar of the PHAROS strategy is the Fisher Guardians Program, which is focused on transforming the role of the fisheries industry from polluters to protectors of the ocean. This program, which includes the expansion of the NETTAGplus project, seeks to reduce the harmful impact of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG)—a significant contributor to marine plastic pollution.

Through NETTAGplus, the Fisher Guardians Program equips the fisheries industry with smart, environmentally friendly solutions designed to reduce fishing gear waste. These solutions include sharing best practices for reducing discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), providing improved infrastructure for proper gear disposal, and incentivizing fishing communities with rewards for sustainable practices.

This initiative also emphasizes the importance of shifting the industry’s mindset from one that contributes to ocean pollution to one that actively protects and cleans marine environments. By adopting new technologies and responsible fishing practices, the program enables the fisheries industry to become true stewards of the ocean, working to reduce the ecological footprint of their operations.

A Comprehensive Approach: Reducing Plastic Pollution at Its Source

What makes PHAROS’s efforts so effective is their comprehensive approach. Through programs like Citizen Litter Entrepreneurs and Fisher Guardians, PHAROS addresses plastic pollution from multiple angles, ensuring that every stage of the plastic lifecycle—from production to disposal—is managed in a sustainable way. By focusing on entrepreneurship and community engagement, PHAROS is empowering individuals and industries to play an active role in reducing marine litter.

A Global Effort for a Shared Problem

Addressing plastic pollution requires a global effort. International cooperation is necessary to tackle pollution that crosses borders through rivers and ocean currents. The United Nations’ Clean Seas campaign and the Basel Convention, which regulates the movement of plastic waste between countries, are examples of the steps being taken at a global level to address the issue.

Ultimately, the most effective way to tackle plastic pollution is to prevent it from reaching the sea in the first place. By addressing the problem at its source, whether through better waste management, reduced plastic production, or innovative cleanup technologies, we can protect marine ecosystems and reduce the harmful effects of plastic on our planet.

The future of our oceans depends on the choices we make today. The path from source to sea is a long one, but with coordinated global action, we can stem the tide of plastic pollution and protect our planet for future generations.

Key sources used to create the blog post:

1. World Economic Forum
   The statistic about 8 million metric tons of plastic entering the ocean each year originates from their reports on global environmental challenges and plastic pollution.
   • World Economic Forum, The New Plastics Economy (2016)
     Link
2. Environmental Science & Technology Journal
   A study regarding the contribution of rivers to ocean plastic pollution, including findings on the top 10 rivers responsible for the majority of plastic entering the ocean.
   • Lebreton, L. C. M., et al. (2017). River plastic emissions to the world’s oceans. Environmental Science & Technology.
     Link
3. United Nations
   Data on plastic recycling and the global plastic pollution crisis.
   • United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Global plastics production and its impact on the environment.
     Link
4. The Ocean Cleanup
   Details on their technology designed to capture plastic waste in rivers before it reaches the ocean, particularly focusing on their floating barriers.
   • The Ocean Cleanup, How Our Interceptor Stops River Plastic from Reaching the Ocean.
     Link
5. United Nations Clean Seas Campaign
   Overview of international cooperation efforts, particularly the UN’s Clean Seas campaign.
   • United Nations, Clean Seas Campaign Overview.
     Link
6. Basel Convention
   Mention of international regulation, specifically related to plastic waste movement across borders and how it’s addressed by the Basel Convention.
   • Basel Convention, Controlling Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes.
     Link