Some researchers estimate there will be <a target="_blank" target="_blank">more plastic than fish</a> in our oceans by the year 2050.
Plastic pollution in our oceans —
Some researchers estimate there will be more plastic than fish in our oceans by the year 2050.
plastic oceans
The South Pacific island of Tuvalu should be a model of sustainability. But plastic pollution is having a devastating effect on the formerly pristine environment, and it may be responsible for the declining health of many islanders.
Clear and present danger —
The South Pacific island of Tuvalu should be a model of sustainability. But plastic pollution is having a devastating effect on the formerly pristine environment, and it may be responsible for the declining health of many islanders.
Plastic Oceans
British producer Jo Ruxton and her team spent four years documenting the effects of plastic pollution for the documentary "A Plastic Ocean." She hopes the film will challenge people and societies to stop thinking of the material as disposable.
A plastic ocean —
British producer Jo Ruxton and her team spent four years documenting the effects of plastic pollution for the documentary "A Plastic Ocean." She hopes the film will challenge people and societies to stop thinking of the material as disposable.
plastic oceans
The crew visited dozens of sites from the Arctic to the Mediterranean and Hawaii, without ever finding a plastic-free location. The average square kilometer of ocean contains around 20,000 microplastic pieces.
No safe haven —
The crew visited dozens of sites from the Arctic to the Mediterranean and Hawaii, without ever finding a plastic-free location. The average square kilometer of ocean contains around 20,000 microplastic pieces.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The film documents the effects of plastic on marine life. More than one million seabirds are <a target="_blank" target="_blank">estimated to be killed every year through entanglement and ingestion</a>, often mistaking plastic for food.
Junk food —
The film documents the effects of plastic on marine life. More than one million seabirds are estimated to be killed every year through entanglement and ingestion, often mistaking plastic for food.
NOAA
Endangered species such as sea turtles could be driven to extinction by the plastic plague.
End of the line —
Endangered species such as sea turtles could be driven to extinction by the plastic plague.
NOAA
Plastic pollution has rapidly accelerated, with eight million tons entering the marine environment each year, <a target="_blank" target="_blank">according to scientists.</a> This figure is set to rise as production of the material is set to double over the next 20 years.
Drowning in plastic —
Plastic pollution has rapidly accelerated, with eight million tons entering the marine environment each year, according to scientists. This figure is set to rise as production of the material is set to double over the next 20 years.
NOEL CELIS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
In many of the worst affected countries such as <a target="_blank" target="_blank">China and the Philippines</a>, local people lack the infrastructure to properly dispose of plastic waste. In some cases they burn it, releasing dangerous gases associated with cancer.
Burning problem —
In many of the worst affected countries such as China and the Philippines, local people lack the infrastructure to properly dispose of plastic waste. In some cases they burn it, releasing dangerous gases associated with cancer.
China Photos/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
There are also concerns that people are consuming dangerous plastic through contaminated fish. A survey <a target="_blank" target="_blank">published in Scientific Reports journal</a> revealed that a quarter of market fish in Indonesia and California contain plastic.
Plastic people —
There are also concerns that people are consuming dangerous plastic through contaminated fish. A survey published in Scientific Reports journal revealed that a quarter of market fish in Indonesia and California contain plastic.
TED ALJIBE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
There are different ideas about how to address the crisis. The <a target="_blank" target="_blank">U.S. National and Atmospheric Association</a> favors beach cleaning and public education at local level, combined with challenging policymakers and plastic producers to promote conservation.
Picking up the pieces —
There are different ideas about how to address the crisis. The U.S. National and Atmospheric Association favors beach cleaning and public education at local level, combined with challenging policymakers and plastic producers to promote conservation.
NOAA
Recycling efforts are becoming more creative. Plastic waste is now converted into building materials <a target="_blank" target="_blank">in Cameroon</a> and the Philippines. Charging for plastic bags and bottles and bags has helped to reduce waste.
Recycling efforts are becoming more creative. Plastic waste is now converted into building materials in Cameroon and the Philippines. Charging for plastic bags and bottles and bags has helped to reduce waste.
REINNIER KAZE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Dutch entrepreneur Boyan Slat has a more ambitious vision. <a target="_blank" target="_blank">He</a> has designed a huge trash-eating machine that he intends to deploy at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. He believes it can remove 99% of the debris within 30 years.
Far out —
Dutch entrepreneur Boyan Slat has a more ambitious vision. He has designed a huge trash-eating machine that he intends to deploy at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. He believes it can remove 99% of the debris within 30 years.
Photographer: Jurg Roessen
Drowning in a sea of plastic
CNN  — 

The European Parliament has approved a law banning a wide-range of single-use plastic items, such as straws, cotton buds and cutlery, by 2021.

Final implementation of the legislation is expected in the next few weeks.

The law, which was supported by 560 Members of the European Parliament against 35 on Wednesday, stipulates that 10 single-use plastic items will be banned in order to curb ocean pollution.

MEPs also agreed a target to collect and recycle 90% of beverage bottles by 2029.

“Europe is setting new and ambitious standards, paving the way for the rest of the world,” the European Commission’s first vice-president Frans Timmermans, who is responsible for sustainable development, said in a statement.

The new plans come after the EC found that plastics make up more than 80% of marine litter, which has disastrous effects on wildlife and habitats.

The EU parliament notes that because of its slow rate of decomposition, plastic residue has been found in marine species as well as fish and shellfish – and therefore also makes its way into the human food chain.

- Source: CNN " data-fave-thumbnails="{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/180608124354-06-great-barrier-reef.jpg?q=x_0,y_0,h_2384,w_4236,c_fill/h_540,w_960" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/180608124354-06-great-barrier-reef.jpg?q=x_0,y_0,h_2384,w_4236,c_fill/h_540,w_960" } }" data-vr-video="false" data-show-html=" News Stream " data-byline-html="
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Updated 11:17 AM EDT, Thu March 28, 2019
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Healthy coral that survived the 2016 and 2017 mass bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef.
Saving our oceans from plastic pollution
04:47 - Source: CNN

Under the new European law, tobacco companies will be required to cover the costs for the collection of cigarette butts and manufacturers of fishing gear will also have to pay for the retrieval of any plastic nets that have been left at sea.

There’s also a new focus on further raising public awareness, where producers of items such as tobacco filters, plastic cups, sanitary towels and wet wipes will be required to clearly explain to users how to appropriately dispose of them.

The European Commission first proposed the ban in May, which was approved by member states in October.

Darrell Blatchley found around 40kg of rice sacks, grocery bags, banana plantation bags and general plastic bags in the stomach of the whale.
Darrell Blatchley found around 40kg of rice sacks, grocery bags, banana plantation bags and general plastic bags in the stomach of the whale.
Darrell Blatchley/D' Bone Collector Museum Inc.

Related article Dead whale found with 40 kilograms of plastic bags in its stomach

China last year banned the import of 24?varieties of solid waste, including types of plastic and unsorted paper, putting pressure on Europe to deal with its own waste.

The World Economic Forum?estimates?that there are about 150 million tons of plastic in the world’s seas.?A study published?in Science in 2015 suggested that between five and 13 million tons more are flowing into them every year.

Research?shows there will be more plastic than fish by weight in the world’s oceans by 2050, which has spurred policymakers, individuals and companies into action.

European nations began phasing out plastic bags more than 15 years ago. Dozens of other countries and cities have already imposed bans or restrictions on plastic goods, including microbeads, plastic straws and coffee pods.

CNN’s Bard Wilkinson also contributed to this story.