Amazon plastic bubble-lined mailer
Amazon’s colossal plastics problem
Largest producer in Latin America, Brazil pollutes the sea with 325 thousand tons of plastic waste per year

Marine plastic pollution is a serious global problem. It is estimated that, annually, eight million tons of this waste reach the oceans, affecting marine ecosystems, the climate, people’s quality of life and economic activities that depend on the sea, such as fishing and tourism.

Q&A: Marine biologist Elizabeth Linske explains why ‘unnecessary’ plastics are killing ocean animals – and what we can do about it

As a marine biologist in Boston, Elizabeth Linske spent six years rehabilitating marine animals in various states of distress. Human impacts, such as plastic pollution, became a growing concern during her time in this field. She has seen a wide variety of plastic items affect marine animals, from plastic bags to bottle caps to balloons.