If plastic production and waste generation continue to grow at current rates, the annual mass of mismanaged waste has been projected to more than double by 2050 ( 1, 2), and the cumulative mass of ocean plastic could increase by an order of magnitude from 2010 levels by 2025 ( 5). Comparable estimates for terrestrial plastic pollution have yet to be quantified. Previous studies estimated that ~8 million metric tons (Mt) of macroplastic ( 5) and 1.5 Mt of primary microplastic ( 6) enter the ocean annually. Waste management systems do not have sufficient capacity at the global level to safely dispose of or recycle waste plastic ( 3, 4), resulting in an inevitable increase in plastic pollution into the environment. A sharp rise in single-use plastic consumption and an expanding “throw-away” culture ( 1) have exacerbated the problem. This proliferation has been driven by rapid growth in plastic production and use combined with linear economic models that ignore the externalities of waste ( 1, 2). It is found throughout the oceans, in lakes and rivers, in soils and sediments, in the atmosphere, and in animal biomass. Plastic pollution is globally ubiquitous. Bernhofen, Keith Lawrence, and James E. Pilditch, Ben Dixon, Laura Koerselman, Edward Kosior, Enzo Favoino, Jutta Gutberlet, Sarah Baulch, Meera E. Thompson, Emilia Jankowska, Arturo Castillo Castillo, Toby D. Velis, … Show All …, Linda Godfrey, Julien Boucher, Margaret B.
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