Eleven million tons of plastic debris leaks into the oceans every year. Globally, only nine percent of all plastic waste is recycled.
The uncontrolled release of plastic pollutants is helping to accelerate the pace of the ongoing sixth mass extinction. The issue will be discussed at the UN General Assembly meeting UNEA-5.2 between February 28 – March 2, in Kenya. Around 150 countries are willing to negotiate a globally binding plastics agreement with the hope of successfully tackling plastic pollution. The report "Impacts of plastic pollution in the ocean on marine species, biodiversity and ecosystems" was produced by the German Alfred Wegener Institute.