While plastic pollution rapidly increases, ranked by Earth.org as one of the top five environmental problems of 2024, so do the consequences facing our environment, oceans and future generations to come.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that plastic waste has increased from 0.4% of the country's total municipal solid waste in 1960 to 12.2% in 2018, with land-based sources contributing up to 80% of the plastic waste that pollutes waterways and oceans a disturbing signal that reaffirms much of the plastic that doesn't reach the U.S. waste management system

ultimately ends up in the environment. Given that plastic materials do not decompose, at least not for hundreds of years, our landfills and environment play host to a plastic life cycle that also negatively contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions. In 2019, plastic products were responsible for 3.4% of these emissions, 90% of which come from the production and conversion of fossil fuels into plastic, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Nature, a weekly international journal publishing peer-reviewed research in science and technology, claims roughly 14 million tons of plastic makes its way into oceans each year, adding if no action is taken this could rise close to 30 million metric tons annually within the next 15 years. Including microplastics, Nature says we could see plastic waste in our oceans reach 600 million tons by 2040.

Fairhope High senior Sydney Adams recently held a seminar at Fairhope Public Library on Saturday, April 27, to discuss plastic pollution and its effects on marine life. Adams, enrolled in honors marine science, touched on organisms like eastern oysters, blue crabs, loggerhead turtles, blue whales and monk seals, among others close to home, regarding the negative impact plastic pollution and waste has on their habitats and lifespans. With Mobile Bay's impact on the local economy in mind, Adams also urged the public to get involved with programs and research focused on sustainability concepts like reducing waste and improving health in order to save its ecosystem.

"Though you may think (recycling) tips are small and would do little to change the issue, just a single person making changes can prevent pounds of trash and plastic from entering the ecosystem," Adams said. "No one will be perfect, but it's the effort and thought that counts."

National Geographic reports that only about 9% of all plastic ever made has been recycled. To help combat the crisis, the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law led to the EPA's largest investment in recycling in 30 years. In November 2023, the Biden-Harris administration announced that over $93 million will be utilized for new recycling infrastructure projects, recycling education and outreach grants across the country.

"Best practices for addressing plastic pollution include regulatory and policy interventions, behavioral and educational campaigns, partnerships, innovation, and locally appropriate technologies," EPA officials wrote. "It is important to consider all stages of the recycling process including collection, management and disposal. It is critical for governments to increase collection and improve separation of materials. Strengthening collection services, especially in rural areas, can help localities collect waste and help prevent pollution, all while increasing the value of recycled plastics."

For a better understanding of what you can do to help limit plastic pollution, visit www.epa.gov/plastic and stay up-to-date on best practices, impacts, benefits, challenges, regulation and policy and more.