Pollution & Plastics
Our ocean is home to countless marine species under threat from plastic pollution. But it’s not just the whales and salmon that pay the price — humans are at risk, too.
11M
Tons of plastic ends up in our ocean annually
9%
Amount of single-use plastic annually recycled in Canada
30
Years of Ocean Wise Shoreline Cleanups
Pollution Impacts Everyone
Plastic pollution is one of the most widespread threats facing our ocean. It affects marine life, ecosystems, and the communities that depend on a healthy ocean. From microplastics to large debris, plastic waste enters the water through everyday human activity and can remain there for decades, harming wildlife and disrupting ocean food systems.
Researchers at Ocean Wise and other conservation organizations are finding more and more plastic every time they look — from deep sea sediment to the ocean surface. Science tells us if we act now, we can make a difference.
Ocean Wise is working to help stop plastic pollution at the source. Through research, practical innovation, and partnerships, the Ocean Wise Pollution & Plastics program develops evidence-based solutions that reduce waste, improve recycling, and keep pollution out of the ocean.
Our Work
Plastic pollution is one of the most urgent and visible threats facing our ocean, and addressing it requires practical solutions backed by science. At Ocean Wise, I’ve seen that progress depends on collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to changing the systems that allow plastic pollution to reach the ocean in the first place. Through the Ocean Wise Pollution & Plastics program, we are working with partners and communities to reduce waste at its source and build a future where less plastic ends up in the water.
Scott Bohachyk
Ocean Wise, Interim Director of Plastics
Help Us Stop Ocean Plastic
Working together every business, person, and municipality can meaningfully reduce their single-use plastics, which directly addresses pervasive ocean plastics. Small changes add up to a big difference.
