Most Ocean Rubbish Ends Up Near Home

Australia’s national research institution CSIRO is calling on people to do the right thing with their rubbish this Christmas, with new research highlighting that more than eight million tons of rubbish finds its way into the worlds’ oceans each year.

CSIRO Principle Research Scientist Chris Wilcox said: “While about one million tons is out floating in the ocean, the rest ends up on the shore.”

The research showed that while marine debris was a global issue, a significant amount of the litter found in a region originates from the local area.

“Our research shows that in most cases, communities are being affected by their own rubbish, not the big rubbish gyre out in the middle of the ocean or rubbish from a neighboring country,” Wilcox said.

“This means that we are the cause but also the solution.

“With millions of tons of rubbish produced each Christmas, it’s something to keep in mind during this year’s celebrations. If you’re out on the beach or at the park, take your rubbish home with you – don’t add to the pollution pandemic.”

Facts about marine debris:

•    More than 600 marine species have been found eating plastic
•    There are about six items of plastic on the coast for every person in Australia
•    About half of sea birds and 30 percent of turtles have plastic in them
•    8.4 million tons of rubbish lands in the worlds’ oceans each year.