• Globally 275 million tonnes of plastic waste is generated each year 

• In 2016 over 9 million tonnes of plastic will enter the world’s oceans

• The direct cost of plastic entering the marine environment is estimated to be $AUD18billion p.a.

• The amount of plastics consumed doubles every 10 years

• CSIRO has recently commented “Australia is probably a net exporter of debris to some neighbouring marine regions and surrounding countries.”

• Australians consume over 3million tonnes of plastic products and packaging each year

• We recycle less than 10% of the plastics we consume in Australia

• Between 100-130,000 tonnes of Australian plastic waste has the potential to enter our waterways

• We spend approx. $500million p.a. to combat litter – capturing around 40% (by volume) of all the plastics consumed in Australia.

• Litter comprises 60% of all Marine Plastic Pollution, including:

• Around 420 million plastic bottles

• Another 200 million other pieces of plastic packaging

• 180 million plastic bags

• 10 million plastic products

• 11 billion+ synthetic cigarette butts (3,500T)

• Over 200 species are directly affected by marine plastic pollution

• 96% of all marine biodiversity is vulnerable to the ingestion of microplastic

• European studies have shown that people with an average seafood diet are ingesting some 11,000 plastic particles annually

Author: Dave West