Plastic Pollution

Definition

Plastic pollution refers to the accumulation of plastic waste in the environment that harms ecosystems and wildlife. It includes items like single-use plastics (e.g., bottles, bags) that do not easily biodegrade.

Analogy

Picture plastic pollution as a giant tangled web made up of discarded plastic items floating around in our oceans. Just like how it's difficult for creatures to navigate through a tangled web, plastic pollution poses challenges for marine life.

Related terms

Microplastics: Tiny pieces of plastic less than 5mm in size that are often found in water bodies and can be ingested by organisms.

Ocean Gyres: Large systems of circulating ocean currents that tend to accumulate floating debris, including plastic waste.

Plastic Recycling: The process of converting used plastics into new products instead of discarding them as waste.