Plastic Pollution - Oceana USA

Tackling the plastic pollution crisis at the source

Stop Plastic Pollution in the United States

The world is facing a plastic pollution crisis that is increasingly threatening the future of our planet. An estimated 33 billion pounds of plastic enter the marine environment every year — that’s roughly equivalent to dumping two garbage trucks full of plastic into the oceans every minute.

The problem is too big for consumers to solve. We need our government and companies to act. With plastic production rates increasing and industry continually relying on inadequate solutions like plastic recycling, we’re looking at an alarmingly plastic-filled future.

THE ISSUE WITH PLASTIC FOAM

Plastic foam — a type of polystyrene — is often used for cups, plates, and food containers as well as packaging materials. It is one of the most common plastics found polluting our beaches and coasts.

More than 17 billion pounds of plastic foam is produced globally every year. In 2019, the United States collected more than 6.6 billion pounds of plastic foam waste. And that doesn’t even take into account the waste that was exported to other countries, mismanaged, or ended up in the environment. But waste isn’t the only issue when it comes to plastic foam. The production and use of this material takes a toll on our environment and our health. It’s toxic to the human nervous system and a probable carcinogen, meaning it is likely to cause cancer. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents avoid plastic products made of polystyrene, which includes plastic foam.

THE IMPACTS OF PLASTIC ON OCEAN ANIMALS

Marine animals — many of which are threatened or endangered — are consuming or becoming entangled in the plastic flooding our ocean, and this poses a great risk to the health of critical marine ecosystems. Oceana found nearly 1,800 marine mammals and sea turtles had swallowed or become entangled in plastic in U.S. waters between 2009 and early 2020. Of these animals, 88% were from species listed as endangered or threatened with extinction under the Endangered Species Act. Even when animals do not die, swallowing plastic can impair their feeding, suppress reproductive hormones, and increase susceptibility to disease.

HOW TO DEFEND OUR OCEANS FROM PLASTIC POLLUTION

With plastic production expected to triple by mid-century, increasing amounts of plastic can be expected to flood into our oceans with devastating consequences. Oceana campaigns to tackle the plastic pollution crisis at the source, pushing for government policies that will address the issue and urging companies to provide consumers with refillable and reusable alternatives.

Campaign Resources

Plastic Foam Needs ‘To-Go’

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Inadequate Solutions to the Plastic Crisis

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The Plastics Crisis Unfolding in our Oceans

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Victories

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Say NO to Foam

Tell your members of Congress to protect our oceans and health from harmful plastic foam pollution today.

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PROTECT OUR OCEANS FROM PLASTIC POLLUTION

take action to tell your members of Congress to support policies to tackle the plastic pollution crisis.

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News & Reports

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REPORTS

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Read the blog

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Plastics Overview Fact Sheet

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Corporate Solutions Fact Sheet

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Plastics and Human Health Fact Sheet

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Policy Solutions Fact Sheet

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Plastics Overview Fact Sheet (en Español)

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FEATURED CAMPAIGN

Plastic Pollution

Oceana campaigns to stop plastic pollution at the source — by working to pass local, state, and national policies that reduce the production and use of unnecessary single-use plastic and move toward refill and reuse systems.

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CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS

Stop Illegal Fishing

Protecting Ocean Habitats

Responsible Fishing

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