Tourism’s Role in Ocean Plastic

Written by Taylor Mallaber

 

Introduction

It’s become increasingly common to find an otherwise tropical paradise littered with plastic waste. Whether washed up in mounds on the beach, or sunken amidst the once vibrant coral reefs, ocean plastic pollution has become a serious problem plaguing our planet.

Every year over 350 million travelers head towards the ocean to soak up the sun, bask on the beaches, and swim with vibrant marine life. However, due to the almost 12 million tons of plastic entering our oceans every year, the paradise in mind feels more like a garbage dump. If this is just what is visible on the surface, imaging the pollution impact under the waves.

While tourism brings economic benefits to coastal communities, it also plays a significant role in ocean plastic pollution. Millions of tourists flock to beautiful beaches each year, but unfortunately, plastic waste often follows. Explore how we can travel responsibly, minimize tourism’s role in ocean plastic pollution, and contribute to sustainable change.

Where Does Ocean Plastic Come from?

Up to 12 million metric tons of plastic is dumped into the ocean every year, and showing no signs of slowing down. Land-based sources, like litter and improperly disposed-of waste, constitute the majority of plastic pollution, around 70% to 80%. The other 20% to 30% comes from discarded fishing gear, particularly in remote areas where education is lower and waste management is unavailable.

Developed regions emit more plastic waste per person, around 0.2 kg to 0.5 kg per day, whereas less-developed countries use significantly less. Despite their minimal usage, lower income regions pollute the most. Topping the list for responsibility in waste mismanagement entering our oceans is India and the Philippines who consume only 0.01 kg to 0.07 kg per day respectively. The higher populations in South and Southeast Asia, combined with high rates of waste mismanagement contribute to the overwhelming problem of plastic pollution.

 

Inevitably, the mismanagement leads to waste getting washed out to sea during rain showers through streams and rivers, accumulating off the coast. It is in these areas that ocean conservation is the most essential, since the very ecosystems that are being destroyed are the ones that provide nourishment and livelihood for many rural communities.

However, developed regions that produce more waste have a significant role in ocean plastic as well. Manufacturing plastic is profitable and cheap, however recycling is an expensive business with small profit margins based on the current market. Although recycling and reuse efforts are increasing, only 9% of the plastic ever produced has been recycled. What isn’t reprocessed is either buried in a landfill (around 80%) or exported to a developing country where it can be input into manufacturing and production, 5% of ocean plastics come from supply chain ‘leaks’ within the global trade.

Environmental Impact of Ocean Trash

Plastic pollution has a profound impact on the vulnerable marine life due to entanglement, ingestion, and bioaccumulation of toxic petro-chemicals. Highly sensitive to environmental changes, aquatic ecosystems face a multitude of threats from pollution and climate change.

Oceanic plastic gets carried in currents, collecting in swirling gyres in each of the major oceans. The largest, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, is a staggering 3 times the size of France! Pelagic animals like whales, seals, and sharks can become entangled in this web of debris, often leading to death. Many animals mistake floating plastic for food, leading to starvation and internal injuries.

Perhaps the most insidious threat comes from microplastics – fragments less than 5 millimeters in size. Microplastics are shed from any plastic product, from litter that slowly breaks down in the environment, or from polyester clothing that is washed at home. These tiny fragments are consumed by everything, from plankton, the base of our marine food chain, to 2 ton whales. As these microplastics are ingested and move up the food chain, they can accumulate toxins, eventually ending up in human blood and breastmilk.

This precarious situation is further exacerbated by climate change. Rising ocean temperatures disrupt marine ecosystems, making them more susceptible to pollution’s effects. Changing currents can alter migration patterns, and ocean acidification from increased CO2 absorption disrupts the delicate balance of marine life. Additionally, intense storms and floods exacerbate the problem by causing coastal erosion and washing large amounts of pollutants from land into the ocean.

Marine Ecosystem Impact

We depend on the health of our oceans to maintain the health of our entire planet. Marine phytoplankton produce more oxygen than all trees combined. More than half of our atmospheric CO2 is absorbed by marine ecosystems like mangroves, sea grass, and marshes. Yet these resources are continuously threatened by our warming world.

Coral reefs, a destination for over 350 million annual travelers, are being hit the hardest. Although only accounting for 1% of the ocean floor, reef systems host over 25% of all marine life. The sensitivity of the environment has led to our complete loss of 20% of the world’s coral reefs with an expected loss of 90% by 2030, and 100% by 2050. Without change to our current actions, we will destroy our coral reefs and the abundant biodiversity that inhabits them.

The tropical regions around coral reefs are generally less developed and more rural, where over 3 billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods. As aquatic life perishes, locals are forced to change how they get nourishment, often in exploitative and damaging ways. The combined effects of these threats create a dire situation for our oceans and the communities that depend on them, not to mention the negative impacts on tourism and the local economy in general.

Community Based Solutions

As regions globally are recognizing the impact of our waste, organizations that prioritize community-based tourism (CBT) offer a powerful solution to combat ocean plastic pollution. CBT empowers local communities to manage their tourism resources and prioritize necessary action in ethical and sustainable ways.

Many CBT projects tackle plastic pollution head-on through initiatives like rural education programs and organized beach cleanups. Collected plastic waste is then transformed into unique, upcycled products. These products can range from beautiful jewelry and handbags to practical items like tote bags and placemats. By purchasing these handcrafted items, travelers directly support the local community while reducing plastic pollution. Creators and explorers like Reyanne Mustafa are successfully educating about our environmental impact in engaging ways, like with this wave art piece created from cigarettes collected from her local San Diego beaches!

CBT initiatives extend beyond beach cleanups. These projects often work towards improving waste management systems in local communities. This can involve setting up recycling programs, composting initiatives, and educational programs to raise awareness about responsible waste disposal. Improved waste management not only reduces the amount of plastic entering the ocean but also promotes cleaner water and sanitation for local residents, creating a healthier environment for everyone. I witnessed a perfect example of this while volunteering with Keep Bali Beautiful, where locals implemented a trash collection, sortation, and recycling program to keep trash out of the environment!

There are many community-based tourism organizations to support while traveling that have a mission to conserve our oceans and reduce plastic pollution. With a quick google search or asking in a local Facebook group, you can find an organization to support anywhere in the world either through donation, volunteering, or education. Some of the biggest organizations making a global difference include:

• Ocean Cleanup
• Ocean Conservancy
• Trash Hero
• 5 Gyres

Travel with Purpose & Join the Movement

While the problem of ocean plastic pollution may seem overwhelming, travelers have the power to be a force for good. By embracing responsible travel practices and supporting sustainable initiatives, you can minimize your plastic footprint and contribute to a healthier ocean. Here’s how you can make a difference:

1. Reduce Plastic Use: Bring your own water bottle and takeaway containers, wear less synthetic fabrics, and reduce single use plastics.
2. Embrace Sustainable Stays: Choose eco-friendly accommodation that is committed to responsible waste management and resource use.
3. Support Eco-Businesses. From refill stores, second hand shops, vegan cafes, and upcycled artists, support the entrepreneurs that are actively reducing the problem.
4. Get Involved with CBT Organizations. Search for ways to get involved wherever you are in the world. Talk with locals about the problems faced by the area and groups on the ground that are tackling it head on!
5. Pick Up Trash Everywhere: While we cannot clean our way out of our plastic problem, it signals that we as travelers can be a part of a solution while increasing the awareness of the plastic problem. If only one person sees you and stops to think for a moment, you’ve made a difference.

Conclusion

By choosing slow, sustainable travel and supporting CBT projects, travelers can become active participants in protecting our oceans. When we join forces with local communities, we amplify our impact and create lasting change. Together, we can ensure that future generations can continue to experience the beauty and wonder of our oceans, free from the scourge of plastic pollution.

What is one way you can contribute to a cleaner ocean that is free from plastic?