Globally, plastic pollution has been estimated to cause at least $13 billion of financial damage annually (UNEP, 2014). Only 9% of that's recycled. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Registered Charity Number: ACN 001 594 074 | NSW License Number: CFN 13143 The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo and Nestlé are ranked as the world’s top plastic polluters for the 3rd consecutive year according to Break Free From Plastic‘s new report BRANDED Vol III: Demanding Corporate Accountability for Plastic Pollution.¹ Sea Shepherd represented Australia in the 2020 Global Brand Audit conducting seven brand audits across four states during beach […] We’re just a few enthusiasts that run the sites. Eventually, the plastic gets stuck in their intestines, blocks their digestive system and causes their death. Whales and other fish feed on these plastic bits perceiving the bits to be actual food. These birds can neither feed themselves nor fly to safer areas. As restrictions ease in some areas of the country, it’s important we get back on a plastic-free track when it’s safe to do so. The main sources of food for marine birds are sea fish which they catch from the water surface. It’s even entered our food chain. Join this group to post and comment. You are, what matters most! Giving life to the sun: Recycling solar panels, Forms of Recycling: Prolonging life of everyday things, Comparison of 3 recycling apps: EarthSquad Drops, Litterati, Trashout, Understanding the Recycling Process for Batteries, Advantages of living a zero waste lifestyle. Top 10 Countries Who Banned Single Use Plastic Bags, Technological innovations in context of recycling. Despite the recognition of the severity of the problem, the extent of plastic pollution has increased as reported by recent studies. A message from our CEO about COVID-19 . WWF is one of Australia’s most trusted conservation organisations. Examining plastic use in Australia. The equivalent of five grocery bags of plastic on every foot of coastline! Bet you didn't know all these things about plastic pollution - check out our infograph. Only 10% of Australians recycle plastic bags, and less than 1% of these plastic bags … The longer we wait, the worse it gets. Text available under Creative Commons licence. Melbourne Zoo's Ben Sanders said swapping balloons for bubbles would make a big difference to plastic pollution in oceans The Planet Or Plastic pop-up exhibition is on at Melbourne Zoo until March next year The Melbourne Zoo's Planet Or Plastic features 14 sculptures, some of which are made entirely out of rubbish that has been found on a beach. Once in the ocean, plastic pollution has … The number of Australians aged 65 and over is projected to more than double by 2054–55. If you would like to help us, please make a donation. Corals can be seen growing on plastic bottles instead of their natural habitat. It seems even the most pristine and untouched areas of Australia have been marked with the debris of modern life. This would not be possible without financial support from our community. The Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2014 has identified marine debris and plastics as a major threat to the health of the reef. Join the community and become an active member! Share this page with your friends and family to help endangered animals even more. Amphibians, reptiles, insects and other coastal species are highly being affected by plastic pollution. From our beaches in Australia to remote Antarctica, it’s silently choking our planet and wildlife. Humans have created 8300 million metric tonnes of plastic in the last 60+ years; Between 4.7 million and 12.7 million tonnes of plastic leak into the world’s oceans every year. Several cases of marine corpses being washed away on Australian coastal lines have been reported- all died because of plastic which blocked their system. In Australia, 60,000 kilograms of the same cups end up directly in landfills every year, and it can take as much as half a century before decomposition. A recent publication from Ocean Crusaders illustrates the situation: Australia consumes 6.9 billion plastic bags per annum, more than half of which are shopping bags. If each Australian family used 1 less plastic bag each week that would be 253 million bags less a year. Since the water bodies are so large, it is impossible to completely eradicate plastic from the sea. The Australian states, excluding the NSW, have implemented or promised a ban on the usage of plastic bags. The water bodies and coastlines of Australia are especially affected in this regard. Indeed, we find that much of the politics of plastic is centered on mitigating plastic pollution. The continuous hitting of waves on the shores results in a nonstop deposition as well as carrying away of plastic away from and into the sea respectively. The Australian Government has greatly realized the severity of plastic pollution. Find out how much plastic you're consuming and what you can do about it. Plastic pollution is having a detrimental affect on our marine species. The government has urged the public to reduce the use of chemicals, plastic bags, and bottles. The remaining 25 percent of lightweight plastic comes from fast food restaurants, liquor outlets, convenience stores and other … In order to tackle this problem, meet Australia’s solution to plastic pollution. With 8 million tons of plastic dumped into our oceans every year, our marine life is swallowing more plastic than ever — and it’s killing them. Effects of Plastic Pollution. An ageing population may be more susceptible to the effects of air pollution. This is something that many countries have been attempting to do for years now. Reviewing and implementation of … An alarming amount of lightweight plastic comes from supermarkets across Australia; a 2016 report from NSW EPA estimates the figure stands at around 75 percent. In short, plastic pollution has made Australian waters a complete mess. If you have any questions about your donation, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly Supporter Services team either by email: Help those who can't ask for your help. The public of Australia has also recognized the problem taken upon the responsibility of reforming themselves as a nation. Plastic constitutes a major portion of this great garbage patch and it is circulating in the Australian waters to a dangerous level. For your convenience we will send you one receipt at the end of the financial year, for the total amount of your tax deductible donations. Australian Ethical CEO John McMurdo discusses our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 700 million tonnes (8 percent) was incinerated; 500 million tonnes (6 percent) was recycled (100 million tonnes of recycled plastic was still in use; 100 million tonnes was later incinerated; and 300 million tonnes was later discarded or sent to landfill). But they aren’t the only culprit contributing to plastic waste. Australia is under a severe attack of plastic pollution. All the leaders of Australia have mutually signed upon a National Waste Policy after familiarizing themselves with the rising concern of plastic pollution in water bodies. Several marine conservation movements and organizations are also seen in action. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Join the global fight to reduce plastic pollution in our oceans! Therefore, plastic pollution on land is a problem both of contamination and damage to terrestrial environments and of transfer to aquatic systems. Straws, toys, plastic bottles, plastic bags and a number of other plastic items have been found to accumulate in this immense patch of Garbage. Marine fish such as whales and other predators mistake these bits of plastic as eggs of smaller fish. Birds can easily mistake the plastic waste for fish and die a slow death by digestive and respiratory system blockage. The global plastic consumption throughout the globe was approximated at 260 million tons in 2008, and it was predicted to be more than 300 tons in 2015 – according to the Global Industry Analysts. Australian bird species are known all over the world. Apart from offering rewards, dozens of recycling companies are functional in Australia which is not only taking actions to prevent an increase in water pollution but also taking steps for conservation of affected wildlife. 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