Plastic is one of the most important materials humanity has ever developed, but there is a serious problem: we are not using it responsibly. Overproduction, constant disposal, and poor recycling policies around the world are causing something we do not want to see: millions of plastic objects polluting the ocean. A British diver named Rich Horner dove into the waters of Bali to enjoy the manta rays that visit the region, but the current gifted him a horrible cloud of plastic that went viral within hours.
The Plastic Problem
My keyboard is made of plastic. The same goes for my mouse, my headphones, the monitor casing, a cup, the lid of a perfume jar, two empty bottles, all smartphone chargers, cables... I think you get the idea. Plastic is already part of our lives. It is lightweight, inexpensive, and has many other advantages when compared to other options. On the flip side, it is a nearly indestructible material, impressively resistant to harsh weather, and with an extremely long degradation time (the most optimistic average is 450-500 years under photodegradation). In other words, it is a nightmare pollutant. In 2012, it was estimated that the mass of plastic in the oceans was 165 million tons. Things have not improved.
A Diver's Encounter
If you have any doubts, just watch this video published on March 3 by British diver Rich Horner. During his journey to the site known as Manta Point on the island of Nusa Penida (part of Bali province, Indonesia), Horner found branches, leaves, plankton, some jellyfish, and the occasional manta ray... but he also found plastic. A horrendous labyrinth of plastic suspended in the water, made up of bags, cups, bottles, sachets, baskets, straws, wrappers, and even more bags. Manta Point is a 'cleaning station' for manta rays, where they come so other fish eat their parasites, but with so much pollution in the area, most decided not to come close.
Horner explained in the video description that the next day, the plastic disappeared from the site without a trace, following the will of the current. According to available data, Indonesia produces about 130,000 tons of plastic and solid waste per day. Half goes to landfills, but the other half is burned illegally, or ends up in the water. The beautiful beaches of Bali are suffering the effects directly, and cleanup campaigns have already been organized, while also seeking to limit and/or ban the use of some plastic objects, starting with bags.
