What if plastic was never invented?

Plastic pollution affects land, waterways and oceans. Marine animals can die from plastic, from entanglement in plastic objects or problems related to ingestion of plastic waste, or through exposure to chemicals within plastics that interfere with their physiology. Humans are also affected by plastic pollution, such as disruption of various hormonal mechanisms.

380 million tonnes of plastic is produced worldwide each year, according to 2018 statistics. It is estimated by scientists, that by the year 2050, there will be more plastic in the oceans than there are fish.

Most plastics are not biodegradable, and the worst offenders are single use plastics, such as plastic bags, food packaging and straws. Plastic takes more than 400 years to degrade, and even then it only breaks down into tiny partials which are ingested by marine life.