The State of Ocean Plastic Pollution In 2026

Every minute, a garbage truck’s worth of plastic ends up in the ocean. This constant flow has created a global pollution problem that now touches every marine ecosystem, from coastal waters to the deepest parts of the Mariana Trench. The UN Environment Programme estimates that 19 to 23 million tons of plastic waste enter aquatic ecosystems each year, polluting lakes, rivers, and seas around the world.

The numbers are staggering. The 5 Gyres Institute estimates that between 82 and 358 trillion plastic particles, weighing up to 4.9 million tons, are currently floating on the ocean’s surface. Their study found a rapid acceleration in ocean plastic density that began around 2005; based on plastic production data, production has increased approximately 70% since then, with pollution rates increasing faster than at any previous point in recorded history. The Plastic Soup Foundation reportsthat more than half of all plastic ever produced was manufactured since 2000.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, one of five major ocean garbage patches, now contains an estimated 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic covering an area twice the size of Texas. The OECD’s Global Plastic Outlook reports that in 2020 alone, 1.4 million tons of plastics flowed from rivers into the ocean. Without additional policy interventions, that flow is projected to more than double to 3.6 million tons annually by 2060. However, there’s some encouraging signs of a solution as the problem is only getting worse.

Where Ocean Plastic Comes From

Plastic pollution comes from both land and sea. Our World in Data says about 80% of ocean plastic starts on land, carried by wind, rivers, and urban runoff. Even something as small as a bottle cap dropped in the street can end up at the coast.

The other 20% of ocean plastic comes from activities at sea, especially fishing operations that leave nets and equipment behind instead of bringing them back to port. The Ocean Conservancy says ghost gear is the deadliest type of plastic pollution for marine life. In one study, 870 ghost nets pulled from Puget Sound in Washington State held more than 32,000 marine animals, including over 1,000 fish, 500 seabirds, and 20 marine mammals.

A 2021 study in Science Advances found that over 1,000 rivers are responsible for 80% of the plastic that rivers carry into the ocean. Most of this comes from middle-income countries in Asia. This isn’t because people there are more wasteful, but because their economies have grown faster than their waste-management systems. Wealthy countries also add to the problem by sending much of their plastic waste to these nations.

Single-use plastics dominate the pollution stream. The International Union for Conservation of Nature reports that single-use items like plastic bags, bottle caps, cutlery, and straws now account for roughly half of all plastic produced each year. Packaging accounts for 31% of all plastics produced, and is designed to be tossed, not recycled, in most cases.

Environmental and Wildlife Impact

The impact on marine life is serious. A November 2025 study by Ocean Conservancy found that almost half of dead sea turtles, a third of seabirds, and 12% of marine mammals had plastic in their stomachs when they died. One in 20 sea turtles died directly from eating plastic.

Microplastics—tiny particles smaller than 5 millimeters—are a hidden but widespread threat. Ocean Conservancy research shows that 60% of fish studied worldwide had microplastics in them. Blue whales, the largest animals on Earth, can eat up to 10 million pieces of microplastics each day during feeding season.

Despite what many people imagine, most ocean plastic isn’t floating in big patches. Most of it has sunk. Recent research estimates that up to 11 million tons of plastic now rest on the ocean floor, causing long-term harm to deep-sea ecosystems.

Organizations Leading the Solution

Several organizations are leading new efforts to stop plastic from getting into waterways and oceans.

Plastic Bank: Creating Economic Value from Ocean-Bound Plastic

Plastic Bank, founded in Vancouver in 2013 by David Katz and Shaun Frankson, transforms plastic waste into a currency that helps lift communities out of poverty. The organization operates in the Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, Egypt, Thailand, and Cameroon—countries where plastic pollution and poverty intersect, often in oceanfront communities.

By April 2025, Plastic Bank had collected over 162 million kilograms of plastic waste—more than 8 billion plastic bottles—thanks to a network of over 57,000 collectors.People gather plastic from areas within 50 kilometers of coastlines or waterways and bring it to Plastic Bank collection branches, which pay premium prices and provide access to healthcare, school tuition, digital connectivity, and other benefits.

The collected plastic is turned into what Plastic Bank calls “Social Plastic,” a certified recycled material. More than 200 companies, including Procter & Gamble, Henkel, L’Oréal, and Coca-Cola, use it in their products and packaging.

In a 2022 interview with Earth911, Katz said that moving from taking resources to caring for them can change economies and help areas where valuable materials are now seen as waste. In 2024, he described Plastic Bank as a “global bottle deposit program” and introduced a subscription service for small businesses to support better plastic collection.

Delterra: Rethinking Recycling Systems

Delterra, an environmental nonprofit started by McKinsey & Company’s foundation, helps cities and communities in developing countries build their own waste management and recycling systems. Their main program, “Rethinking Recycling,” brings together governments, residents, waste workers, and private companies to create lasting solutions.

Delterra works in Indonesia, Argentina, and Brazil, where some communities now have recycling rates as high as 60%—better than most U.S. cities. The group has also helped hundreds of waste workers, many of them marginalized women, by raising their incomes and giving them access to health care and safer working conditions.

In January 2022, Delterra CEO Shannon Bouton and Asia Regional Director Ella Flaye spoke on Earth911’s Sustainability In Your Ear podcast about their work. At that time, their programs served nearly 50,000 people, with a goal of reaching 250,000 by the end of the year—a goal they have since surpassed.

In 2023, Delterra partnered with Amcor, Mars, and Procter & Gamble, committing $6 million to expand programs that tackle plastic pollution throughout the supply chain.

Research by Delterra and The Circulate Initiative found that programs encouraging people to change their habits can pay for themselves in two to five years. This happens through the value of collected recyclables, savings on landfill costs, and environmental benefits.

Policy Progress and Setbacks

The most significant global policy effort, the UN Global Plastics Treaty, has hit roadblocks. In March 2022, the UN Environment Assembly adopted a historic resolution directing the UN Environment Programme to convene an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.

After several rounds of talks, including meetings in Busan, South Korea, in 2024 and Geneva in August 2025, negotiators could not reach an agreement. The main sticking points are concerns from the plastic industry, such as whether to limit plastic production, how to handle dangerous chemicals, and whether rules should be global or set by each country. A “High Ambition Coalition” of over 100 countries wants binding rules to cut new plastic production, while major oil-producing countries prefer voluntary actions focused on waste management.

“While we did not land the treaty text we hoped for, we at UNEP will continue the work against plastic pollution—pollution that is in our groundwater, in our soil, in our rivers, in our oceans and yes, in our bodies,” said UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen after the Geneva talks. The next negotiating session is scheduled to start on February 7, 2026.

Meanwhile, policy action continues at the national and state levels. In the United States, California’s SB 54, the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, represents one of the most comprehensive plastic reduction laws in the country, requiring producers to meet packaging reduction, recycling, and composting mandates.

Ocean Conservancy research, using data from its International Coastal Cleanup program, found that bans and fees on plastic bags cut plastic bag litter on beaches by 25% to 47%. This shows that targeted policies can make a real difference.

What You Can Do

The best way to keep plastic out of the ocean is to avoid creating it in the first place. While one person can’t solve the plastic pollution crisis alone, changing our habits together does make a difference. Here are some ways to keep your plastic waste out of waterways and oceans:

Say no to single-use plastics when you can. The Oceanic Society suggests carrying reusable items like grocery bags, produce bags, water bottles, utensils, coffee cups, and straws.

Recycle the right way. Many curbside recycling programs get plastics mixed with non-recyclable items, which end up in landfills. Check your local recycling rules to make sure you’re doing it right, since guidelines can be very different depending on where you live. If you’re not sure, it’s better to leave it out than to recycle something that doesn’t belong.

Pick products with less packaging. When you shop, look for items with little or no plastic, or with biodegradable packaging. Many companies now offer concentrated formulas, refills, and package-free options to help cut down on packaging waste.

Watch out for microplastics. Synthetic clothes release tiny fibers every time you wash them, and about 9% of ocean microplastics come from these fibers. Try wearing natural-fiber clothing, washing synthetic items less often, using a washing machine filter, or washing clothes in the National Resources Defense Council-endorsed Guppyfriend bag to catch the fibers.

Support groups that are making a difference. Join beach cleanups with Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup or local organizations. Since 1986, over 19 million volunteers have removed more than 400 million pounds of trash from beaches and waterways around the world.

Speak up for policy change. Contact your elected officials to support Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, which make plastic producers responsible for the waste their products create. Back policies that cut plastic production at the source, not just those that deal with waste after it’s made.

Choose companies that work to reduce plastic. Support businesses that use recycled materials, offer refills, and take responsibility for their packaging from start to finish. What you buy shows companies that you want more sustainable options.

Plastic pollution has built up over decades, and fixing it will take ongoing work from governments, businesses, and individuals. But as Plastic Bank’s David Katz points out, moving to a circular, regenerative economy is not just a duty; it’s also a chance to create new jobs and services for communities while protecting the ocean that supports all life.

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