Plastic is a growing problem around the world, and even the pristine landscapes of Antarctica are not immune. Not only is it suffering from plastic waste from visitors, but plastic travels in our oceans (including millions of microplastics which can be from discarded plastic bottles and other waste, but also from synthetic fibres laundered in machines and nurdles from making clingfilm (which look like fish food to marine creatures).
70% of our planet is water. So around 70% of any waste usually ends up in the sea – from balloons to plastic cups and cigarette lighters. Apparently around 25% of all ocean waste is made up of discarded flip-flops.
Antarctica is a beautiful continent (the ‘bottom of the globe’) that is home to few people (apart from researchers and tourists). But it is home to some of our most beloved wildlife including penguins and albatrosses. Below the seas are migrating blue whales and orcas (killer whales).
Understanding Plastic Pollution
To know how to reduce plastic pollution, it’s important to know what plastic is, where it comes from and how it ends up in our seas (including the other side of the world).
Simply put, plastic is made from oil (old skeletons that is drilled from the sea). The problem is that it never breaks down, so when any plastic waste is discarded, it disintegrates into millions of tiny ‘microplastics’ that then are accidentally ingested by fish and marine creatures (like ‘filter-feeding’ whales and basking sharks who ‘eat’ by opening their huge mouths and ingesting water and krill, then removing water to leave just food in their stomach.
This is why birds to dolphins to whales are being found dead, washed up on shore with their stomachs full of plastic waste and ghost fishing gear. And as the oceans have no borders, tides and currents carry this waste around the world, so it ends up in all our seas.
So why do companies still use plastic? Of course the main reason is that it’s cheap. Some industries say that it’s used to protect food (say chocolate and coffee) and it’s also lightweight enough to easily be transported, and unlike glass, does not ‘shatter’.
Plastic can sometimes be recycled (often more easily than glass). But we need better policies (like deposit return schemes where people receive a few pennies for returning plastic bottles to vending machines). And there is huge opposition from some parties, which is why it’s not yet common in England, though most European countries have been using such schemes for years.
Also of course, there are vested interests from the oil industry. With people increasingly using green energy, they make huge profits from people using virgin plastic, as it means more oil has to be drilled to make it.
Sources of Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution comes in many forms, not just from plastic water bottles and disposable coffee cups. Or plastic bags (there are increasing bans worldwide in many towns and cities).
Other sources of plastic waste that end up in our seas include:
- Fishing gear (discarded fishing nets and lines all contribute to marine pollution). Most are made from very strong plastic, which often gets tied around marine creatures, who can’t escape).
- Plastic pellets (industrial waste is a key source, such as nurdles that end up on the factory floor, when making clingfilm). These ‘nurdles’ look like fish food, to hungry marine creatures.
- Flip-Flops. These make up a huge amount of ocean waste. Flops are the most-worn shoes on earth as they are cheap and comfortable, in countries that don’t spend a lot of money on shoes.
- Balloons. Although these are made from latex, balloons take up to six months to biodegrade. Meanwhile, they expode in the air and end up in the seas, where they are eaten by sea turtles, which think they are their favourite food (jellyfish).
- Cigarette butts are often made with plastic.
- ‘Flushed plastic’ waste: This makes up a huge portion of ocean waste, as they are wrongly flushed down toilets, and reach the sea. Includes tampons, sanitary towels, baby wipes and cotton buds.
Impact on Antarctic Ecosystems
Antarctica is a vast continent (not that quiet due to harsh winds and screeching gulls!) But it’s one of the most fragile and pure environments we have left. Yet already we are seeing huge plastic pollution.
Rebecca founded Europe’s first plastic-bag-free town in Devon. A former BBC wildlife camerawoman, she had all the shops going plastic-free within a month of returning from a trip to Hawaii, where she had watched albatrosses feed dying chicks with plastic.
From a farming family, she says that she was quite tough. But she burst into tears. On her return, she plied residents with wine at the local art gallery, and showed them her film. Now delis serve food in biodegradable pots and even the supermarket got on board. Locals were all sent a free cloth bag through the letterbox, and there was an amnesty box, for people to deposit plastic bags, which were sent off to recycle into park benches.
Krill feed on phytoplankton (tiny plants in the ocean that absorb carbon dioxide, when their poo sinks to the ocean floor). But nano-plastics (from sunscreens) could reduce ability of krill poo to remove and store carbon
One scientist recently returned to Portsmouth, concerned at the growing cruise ship industry in Antarctica. Many people are also advised to wear polyester jumpers (as cotton can freeze on skin, while polyester wicks away sweat). But this releases microplastics when laundered.
Non-native species are hitching rides on plastic, entering into an area where they could pose a threat. In a recent survey, 97% of Antarctic seabirds were found to have ingested microplastics.
Threats from Plastic to Marine Life
Plastic does not biodegrade. So when marine creatures and birds (that frequently mistake plastic for food) ingest it, it blocks their digestive systems, or poisons them with toxins (like with cigarette butts). Many other creatures become entangled. Photographer Jordi Chia’s photo of a sea turtle entangled in fishing rope went viral. He and friends quickly took the photo, then removed the rope they believe the turtle had been tangled in for days.
Many seals and penguins (that both live in Antarctica) frequently become trapped in fishing nets and other debris, that has ended up on their patch. Leading to injury or death.
And of course, this then negatively affects food chains. If a seal has eaten plastic and then gets eaten by an orca, the bigger creature also then has plastic in its stomach. And if the mother orca gives birth but then dies from plastic ingestion, the calf (which in nature would stay with the mother for life) has no parent to feed it.
Human Activity in Antarctica
Unlike most tourism areas, people who visit Antarctica tend to be pretty responsible. They are either climate scientists or marine ecologists, or tourists (but these tourists are not likely to eat egg and chips and visit bullfights – most are ecotourists, which is a good thing).
However, wherever humans go, plastic usually follows. Even research stations may be using some kind of plastic in the form of packaging or personal items. And obviously it has to be disposed of responsibly, difficult in an area likely free from recycling stations.
And everyone reaching Antarctica visits either on a charter plane (there are no commercial flights) or more likely by ship. And boats not only use oil to get there, but likely have many plastic items on board.
Efforts to Combat Plastic Pollution
Despite the grim reality, there are good people in the world trying to make a difference. Already MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) has created agreements with several countries, to try to minimise waste discharged by ships. The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty aims to protect ecosystems, by setting waste disposal standards, and limiting human impact.
Local organisations participate in clean-up projects to remove debris from beaches and local waters, and awareness campaigns educate tourists and researches about reducing waste. Climate scientists also help to guide policy, so people abroad know actions to take, to try to reduce plastic waste worldwide, which affects countries and oceans elsewhere.
How To Prevent Plastic Pollution in Antarctica
These actions combined can help to prevent plastic waste from reaching any sea, including Antarctica. The penguins will thank you!
Stop Using Clingfilm
Use zero waste clingfilm alternatives (that’s silicone above, not plastic). It seals food just the same, and is easy to recycle.
Never Drop Litter
Take it home or find a bin.
Switch to Natural Rubber Flops
Send old flops for recycling, and invest in natural rubber flops (which will biodegrade, if they get washed away).
Don’t Drop Cigarette Butts
If you smoke, read solutions to reduce cigarette litter (including personal ashtrays and secure bins for offices).
Choose Reusable Over Disposable
Choose zero waste baby wipes, zero waste cotton buds and zero waste feminine care. Still never flush these down toilets.
Choose Nano-Free Sunscreens
Switch to natural sunscreens (wash off before letting animal friends lick you, as most contain pet-toxic zinc or titanium dioxide).
Never Release Anything in the Air
Never release balloons. Latex balloons take months to break down, and meanwhile explode mid-air and land in the sea, eaten by sea turtles (who think they are jellyfish). Indoor balloons should be deflated at the ‘knot’ with scissors, and securely binned.
Also never release fire lanterns (these cause ocean pollution and fires, and are mistaken for coastal flares, putting lifeboat crew at risk).
Use Microplastic Catchers for Synthetic Fibres
PlanetCare offer a kit containing a filter and cartridges (each one lasts 30 washes). Fitted in 10 minutes, this collects up to 98% of microplastics in the machine, then you just send back (freepost) used cartridges for recycling, and receive new ones. For hand-washing, use a sink filter (and securely dispose of microfibres in a sealed container).
Choose Biodegradable Personal Care Products
Choose organic beauty, cleaning and laundry products. These biodegrade and are free from plastic contamination. Avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing, affected medical conditions and near babies/pets.
Take Your Fishing Waste Home
If you’re an angler, buy a MonoMaster (a little device to store fishing waste, until you can safely dispose of it).
A Fun Book to Learn More About Penguins
Penguins and Other Sea Birds is a beautifully illustrated and educated guide to sea birds across the world. The book covers several species including:
- Penguins (most of the book!)
- Puffins
- Gannets
- Cormorants
- Blue-footed booby birds
- Pelicans
- Sea eagles
As penguins go, the Emperor is the boss, the sultan of the Antarctic snow. His bulk is from his ‘thermal underwear’ to protect him from sub-zero temperatures of the South Pole. At minus 70 degrees C, the daddies bunch together in a hundred-strong rotating huddle, eggs safely tucked upon their shuffling feet inside the warm incubating brood pouch.
Soon after the fluffy chicks hatch, the females return from the sea – fat, sleek and healthy. They relieve the dad of his duties and – like ships that pass in the night – the Emperors slip off to feed.
