The global problem of plastic contamination in the oceans is severe. The last 10 years have seen a significant increase in public and scientific interest in this topic due to the increased presence of plastic debris in many terrestrial and aquatic environments. So far, researchers have discovered an estimated 296,000 tons of plastic in the waters. With hotspots of microplastics with global abundances of 30,000–38,000 particles/kg in marine sand deposits, this figure is predicted to rise. Microplastics make up around 11% of all plastics found in the ocean Lyons et.al.2019).

Plastics as a proportion of solid waste - 2012 saw a projection from the World Bank that plastic made up 12% of Singapore's solid trash. Singapore is expected to consume 467 million PET bottles, 820 million supermarket plastic bags, and 473 million polypropylene plastics yearly. The amount of solid waste generated in 2017 was 7,704,300 tons. 815,200 tonnes of plastic were created out of those, and only 6% were recycled (Lyons et.al., 2019).

Ecological and environmental impacts

Marine plastic wastes were found in the stomach of a female sperm whale that died in 2015 after an autopsy (Lyons et al.,2019).

The surface of microplastics collected from three Singaporean beaches included a variety of bacteria. The reported collection of bacteria includes those that are frequently linked to coral bleaching that can infect wounds and cause gastroenteritis in people, and that have been used to clean up oil spills

These particles are very minute so marine life often confuses microplastics for food. Bivalve mollusks and shrimp are examples of benthic and pelagic creatures that exhibit this clearly. Even though these species will swallow some microplastics, many of the particles remain in their bodies for a long time. Microplastic particles have been reported to linger in the hemolymph for up to 48 days and have been seen in organs like the stomach and gills.

There have been reports of the effects of abandoned fishing gear on aquatic birds and sharks. Additional anecdotal reports detail the poaching and killing of marine fauna, including terrestrial long-tailed macaques, black-tipped reef shark, Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphins, and blue-spotted fantail rays. According to the study, plastic garbage "smothers" corals, mangroves, and seagrass beds by preventing them from getting light and oxygen Lyons et. al.,2019).

Singapore’s action plan

Singapore has announced a national strategy on Sunday, June 5, 2021, in an attempt to combat the growing problem of marine waste. Ten beaches and coastal areas yielded 4,009 tonnes of trash, or flotsam, according to the National Environment Agency in 2021. Plastic bottles, Styrofoam fragments, and tree stumps made up this garbage ("S'pore launches", 2022).

By 2030, Singapore aims to recycle 70% of its plastic waste, up from just 4% in 2019 as part of its Zero Trash Masterplan. Millions of tonnes of plastic debris fall into the ocean every year, with the effects on the economy, society, and ecology being difficult to quantify. To solve the problem of marine plastic trash, however, ocean cleanup will not be sufficient. Instead of being discarded into the ocean, land-based sources account for the majority of marine plastics. They end up in the ocean for a number of causes, such as improper or illegal dumping, inadequate wastewater filtration, and unanticipated natural disasters. Thus, in order to combat the pollution that marine plastics produce, land-based measures are essential ("Less plastic", 2023).

Conclusion –

The NUS lecturer Mr. Sivasothi made the observation that "global action to address global warming deadlines is always behind schedule, and an island state like Singapore with high population density and no hinterland is much more vulnerable than most other countries." Therefore, it is good that we are starting to get the nation ready. But if nothing is done, the annual volume of plastic entering the ocean would increase from 11 million to 29 million tons, meaning that by 2040, there will be 600 million tons of plastic floating around—the weight of three million blue whales—in the water ("Plastic pollution”, 2020).

Everybody is impacted by plastic pollution. It's not a case of "your problem and not mine." It is not a problem exclusive to one nation. Everyone is dealing with it.

Reference

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Curren, E., Chee, S. (2023). Spatiotemporal characterisation of microplastics in the coastal regions of Singapore. Science direct. Retrieved on February 1, 2024, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844023001688  

National Environment Agency (2019). Waste management statistics and overall recycling measures. Retrieved on January 31, 2024, from: https://www.nea.gov.sg/our-services/waste-management/wastestatistics-and-overall-recycling

Thushari, G.G.N., Senevirathna, J.D.M. (2020). Plastic pollution in the marine environment. Heliyon, volume 6, Issue 8. Retrieved on Feb 1, 2024, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844020315528

Plastic pollution flowing into oceans to triple by 2040, study shows. (2020, July 24). The Straits Times. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/plastic-pollution-flowing-into-oceans-to-triple-by-2040-study-shows

S’pore launches national strategy to tackle growing problem of marine litter. (2022, June 5). The Straits Times. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/spore-launches-national-strategy-to-tackle-growing-problem-of-marine-litter

Smothered marine animals, oceans of garbage prompt war on plastics. (2018, December 15). The Straits Times. Retrieved on February 10, 2024, from https://www.straitstimes.com/world/oceans-of-garbage-prompt-war-on-plastics

Less plastic flowing into ocean than thought, but more found floating in waters: Study. (2023, August 9). Today. Retrieved on February 20, 2024, from https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/less-plastic-flowing-ocean-thought-more-found-floating-waters-study-2228811

Lau, W., Murphy, M. (2021). Microplastics are a big- and growing- part of global pollution Preventing Ocean Plastic. Retrieved on Feb 12, 2024, from

https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2021/03/30/microplastics-are-a-big-and-growing-part-of-global-pollution