Plastics in Nature: Actions to Help Protect Wildlife

Plastics pollution poses a severe threat to wildlife across the planet.

Here, we’ll explain the scale of the issue and the risks posed to wildlife. We’ll also provide solutions to help reduce this issue, covering key global actions, as well as those you can take in businesses and as individuals.

The Core Issue of Plastic Pollution

Plastics are synthetic materials made primarily from fossil fuels. Their durability and resistance to degradation, while beneficial for many human applications, make them a persistent environmental pollutant.

Plastics take hundreds to thousands of years to break down, fragmenting into smaller particles known as microplastics, which further infiltrate ecosystems. Once in the environment, plastics disrupt ecosystems, harm wildlife, and contribute to biodiversity loss.

The Scale of the Plastics Problem

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Global Pollution: Over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually, with about 14 million tonnes entering oceans every year. By 2050, it’s estimated that there could be more plastic in the oceans by weight than fish.
Ubiquity: Plastics are now found in the most remote parts of the planet, from the depths of the Mariana Trench to the Arctic ice caps. Microplastics have been discovered in soil, freshwater, air, and even the bodies of animals and humans.
Growing Waste Crisis: Only about 9% of plastics produced are recycled. The majority end up in landfills, incinerators, or natural environments.

Plastics Impact on Wildlife

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Marine Life

Animals, such as turtles, whales, and seabirds, often ingest plastics, mistaking them for food. This can lead to blockages, malnutrition, and even death of the animal.
Entanglement in plastic waste, such as fishing nets, is also a well known risk, potentially causes injuries, impaired mobility, or drowning.
Microplastics are ingested by plankton and filter feeders. This introduces plastics into the food chain, threatening the marine ecosystems’ balance.

Terrestrial Wildlife

Land animals, including livestock, accidentally consume plastic waste in polluted environments, leading to digestive issues, poisoning, or death.
Plastics leach harmful chemicals into soils and water, affecting plants and the animals that depend on them.

Birds

Many bird species, particularly seabirds, mistake plastic debris for food. Ingested plastics fill their stomachs, leaving no room for actual nutrients and causing starvation.
Nesting materials often include plastics, which can entangle chicks or cause overheating.

Insect Pollinators

Plastics in agricultural settings, such as mulch films, degrade soil quality, impacting plants that pollinators rely on for nectar.

Sources of Plastic Pollution

Single-Use Plastics: Items like bottles, straws, and bags, often discarded after a single use, contribute significantly to pollution.
Fishing Gear: Abandoned or discarded nets, traps, and lines are a significant source of ocean plastics, termed “ghost gear.”
Industrial Waste: Improper disposal of plastic pellets (nurdles) used in manufacturing results in widespread pollution.
Consumer Waste: Littering, mismanaged waste, and lack of recycling facilities lead to plastics entering natural ecosystems.
Textiles: Synthetic fibres from clothing release microplastics into water systems during washing.
Packaging: Non-biodegradable materials used in product packaging form a major part of urban and rural waste.

Solutions to Resolve Plastic Pollution

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The Global Picture

Global efforts to reduce plastic pollution are gaining momentum, but global consensus in proving challenging.

In 2022, the UN agreed to negotiate a global treaty, however negotiations remain ongoing, with a the most recent efforts to reach a consensus having failed in late 2024.

The intention of agreeing a global treaty is to address the entire lifecycle of plastic, from production to disposal.

Independant of global consensus, several countries have also agreed there own policies to reduce pollution. Most notably, the EU and the UK have both enacted restrictions single-use plastics, taxes on plastic products, and extended producer responsibility schemes, which hold producers responsible for the end-of-life management of their products.

Individual Actions on Plastics Use

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Reduce Plastic Use:

Avoid single-use plastics such as bags, straws, bottles, and cling wrap by switching to reusable options like fabric bags, stainless steel straws, and glass containers.
Choose products with minimal or plastic-free packaging.

Recycle Responsibly:

Sort and clean plastics for recycling according to local guidelines to ensure they don’t contaminate recycling streams.
Participate in community recycling programs and educate others on correct practices.

Choose Sustainable Alternatives:

Opt for biodegradable or compostable materials, such as bamboo, paper, or natural fibers, when available.
Use bar soaps, refillable cleaning products, and other low-waste options to minimize packaging waste.

Be Mindful of Purchases:

Buy in bulk to reduce plastic packaging.
Support brands and companies that prioritise sustainability and avoid products containing microplastics, such as certain cosmetics.

Engage in Local Clean-up Efforts:

Join local beach, river, or park cleanup drives to reduce plastic waste in natural environments.
Organise or advocate for waste collection initiatives in your community.

Educate and Advocate:

Teach family and friends about the impacts of plastic pollution and share actionable ways to reduce plastic use.
Advocate for better local waste management practices or policies to reduce single-use plastics in your community.

Business Actions on Plastics Use

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Reduce Plastic Usage in Operations:

Eliminate single-use plastics in office spaces, cafeterias, and packaging by adopting reusable or biodegradable alternatives.
Redesign products and packaging to reduce reliance on plastic or make them fully recyclable.

Adopt Circular Economy Practices:

Use recycled materials in manufacturing processes and ensure products are designed to be reusable, recyclable, or biodegradable.
Partner with recycling companies to establish closed-loop systems for waste recovery.

Corporate Responsibility and Innovation:

Invest in research and development of sustainable materials and eco-friendly packaging solutions.
Support clean-up projects and conservation initiatives to offset the environmental impact of past plastic use.

Engage Employees and Customers:

Educate employees on reducing plastic waste and encourage sustainable habits in the workplace.
Offer incentives or discounts to customers who use reusable containers or return used packaging.

Transparent Reporting and Certification:

Publish regular reports on plastic usage and sustainability efforts to build accountability and inspire change.
Seek certifications such as Verra’s Plastics Reduction Standard or Plastics Free to demonstrate commitment to reducing plastic waste.

Collaborate for Broader Impact:

Partner with other businesses, governments, and NGOs to share best practices and create collective solutions to reduce plastic waste.

A Positive Outlook on Plastics Action

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Addressing plastic pollution requires systemic change and collective effort, but through innovation, education, and policy, we can significantly reduce its impact on wildlife and ecosystems.

By doing so, not only can we safeguard the health of wildlife, but also our own communities.

To support you further, we also recommended you check out the following resources:

Circular Economy Explained: Principles, Benefits & Challenges

Sustainability Standards in Focus: Options for Business

10 Key Sustainability Challenges to Tackle in 2025

On a lighter note, you can also check out 45 Incredible Facts About Nature for a fun insight into the wildlife we all want to protect!

Plastics in Nature: Actions to Help Protect Wildlife

The Core Issue of Plastic Pollution

The Scale of the Plastics Problem