The State of Ocean Plastic Pollution In 2026

Every minute, a garbage truck’s worth of plastic ends up in the ocean. This constant flow has created a global pollution problem that now touches every marine ecosystem, from coastal waters to the deepest parts of the Mariana Trench. The UN Environment Programme estimates that 19 to 23 million tons of plastic waste enter aquatic ecosystems each year, polluting lakes, rivers, and seas around the world.

The numbers are staggering. The 5 Gyres Institute estimates that between 82 and 358 trillion plastic particles...