The Plastic Pipeline

Ocean plastics are a huge problem. Eleven million tons of plastic waste entered the ocean in 2016 alone and without immediate action, this number will triple by 2040. While we as consumers can do our part by tossing single-use plastics in the recycling bin, only 15 percent of plastic waste worldwide is recycled and much of the plastic life cycle occurs beyond their scope of control. Consumers need to understand not only what happens that shapes plastic products from cradle to grave, but also key policy options and their impact on stemming plastic pollution.