When we think of plastic waste in the oceans, we usually imagine plastic bags, bottles, old fishing nets and similiar stuff. But recent studies have shown, that the most important factor in oceanic pollution might be cigarette buds.
When released into the environment, plastic doesn't just spread and disturb us visually. It is a serious threat for the health of all animals which get in touch with plastic and microplastic.
Animals get stuck in sixpaacks, strings, plastic bags or other plastic compounds and die a cruel dead. They can also pass plastic bags and microplastic for food and starve to death because they can neither digest nor excrete the plastic.
Plastic gets smaller and smaller but never vanishes completely. Big pieces of plastic such as bottles, plastic bags, fisher nets and any other item made of plastic become small particles, called microplastic.
Even in antarctic and the deep seas plastic has been found. With wind, rivers and the currents of the oceans, plastic finds its way to the most remote places. It stresses sensitive ecosystems in oceans and shores such as corals, mangroves but also gathers at all the beautiful beaches where we love to spend our holidays.
