Plastic Pollution Facts for Kids

If you’re planning to hit the beach in destinations like Fuerteventura or Portugal during your next family holiday, it’s likely that you’re going to run into plastic pollution.

Although seeing beaches littered with plastic is an increasingly unsettling problem, it’s good to show your children how to respect the planet while they travel. After all, teaching the younger generation good habits will last them a lifetime and positively affect their actions in the future!

PLASTIC POLLUTION FACTS FOR KIDS

Washed up plastic is more than just an occasional eyesore - it can now be found on every beach and in the ocean’s deepest trenches and it points to the state of the planet’s overall health. Teaching your kids the facts about plastic pollution is one of the first steps to changing that for the better.

Marine plastic pollution 

Next time you’re having a family beach day, ask your kids to imagine all the fish swimming around under the water. What do they eat? Seaweed? Smaller fish? Their answers probably don’t include bottle caps or bits of rubbish, and they probably aren’t imagining sea turtles trying to swim through a forest of forgotten plastic.

Marine life, including sea birds, sea turtles, whales and dolphins, have been documented consuming plastic. It has even been found inside crustaceans that live in the deepest parts of the ocean. In fact, one in three sea turtles and more than half of the dolphin and whale population have ingested plastic. Their digestive systems aren’t meant to break down the synthetic scraps that build up in their bodies, and this can cause premature death. 

To explain this to your children, have them recall the last time they had a tummy ache. It was rather uncomfortable, right? Well, when animals eat plastic, they feel that way too. We want marine life to feel the best that they can so that they continue to keep the ocean balanced. When fish and marine life are healthy, the ocean is healthy, too. 

Single-use plastic

Whether we’re travelling or not, we as a society are using more convenience items such as plastic cups, straws and bags than ever. We often see this as the unnecessary wrapping of fruits and vegetables, which are then carried out of the shop in plastic grocery bags. We may even be tempted to buy an entire case of water in plastic bottles if the price is right, contributing to the one million plastic bottles that are bought throughout the world each minute. 

Once we’re finished with these products, we can just send them to get recycled, right? Not quite. In reality, it’s likely that they’ll end up entering the oceans, as over 12 million tons of plastic infiltrates these waters annually and not all single-use plastic is recyclable. 

Teaching your children about single-use plastic actually presents a good opportunity for them to learn about responsibility. Instead of using plastic straws on your next holiday, try one of these fantastic metal straws. Designate one to each of your children, and let them know that they are responsible for keeping track of their straw when they are using it - you don’t want any forgotten straws left behind after breakfast. This way, your family can still enjoy the convenience of drinking from straws without contributing to plastic pollution.

While you’re making an order for metal straws, you might want to choose a few reusable water bottles to further cut down on single-use plastic. Again, by giving one to each child and making them their canteen’s keeper, they’ll feel a sense of agency for their reusable items, and become superheroes to the planet in the process!

Plastics in the ocean

When your kids hear the words ‘trash island’ their minds may drift to a solid and smelly piece of land floating in the sea. Trash islands are becoming a lot more common in our oceans, and are actually made of swirling bits of plastic debris that converge in currents, rather than wonky water bottles and bobbing bags.

The minuscule bits of plastic that converge in the ocean’s currents may have come from larger pieces such as bottle caps, fibres from a pair of nylon leggings or the microbeads in your teenager’s face wash. It’s not expected for these trash islands to be broken down for another 500 to 1,000 years. Scientists predict that, in only 30 years, the amount of plastic in the ocean will outweigh the amount of fish. 

Your children are the ones that will inherit the Earth. The health of the planet is essential for the health of your family. If we continue to contribute to plastic pollution around the globe, then we won’t have beautiful destinations such as the Caribbean or Vietnam to enjoy with our loved ones. In an effort to relieve beaches and oceans of plastic pollution, you and your family only need to consider making a few adjustments.

Sustainable solutions

Now that you’ve got reusable water bottles and metal straws on the way, you’re taking an important first step in the transition to living a more sustainable lifestyle - one your children are sure to appreciate - that will have a positive impact on the future of our oceans. And there are plenty of ways to make it fun! Have some stickers handy and encourage your child to decorate their reusable canteen, making it one of a kind. 

Reusable straws can come in all sorts of exciting colors and have become a staple in many households. You can bring them wherever you go, and use them in place of plastic straws when you’re out to eat. You can also try to remember to bring reusable bags when you go shopping. Shops usually offer their own variety of reusable bags, and although they are typically more sturdy and will last longer than single-use shopping bags, they are still made from plastic. Go for one made from natural materials such as cotton, canvas or jute.

Now your children know that happy fish live in healthy oceans and that sea turtles, dolphins and whales glide more freely when not bombarded with plastic where they swim. By making the minor shift from single-use plastic products to reusable ones, you’re setting a positive example for a brighter, plastic-free future. Reserve your spot on the beach with us and relax, knowing that you’re doing what you can to reduce plastics in the ocean. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is plastic pollution?

Plastic pollution occurs when plastic waste—like bottles, bags, and wrappers—ends up in our natural surroundings. You’ll often spot it on beaches and in oceans, and it poses a serious threat to both the environment and wildlife.

Why is plastic pollution a problem?

Plastic is notoriously tough to break down. It can linger in the environment for hundreds of years, which means it accumulates over time and harms the health of our planet.

How does plastic affect marine life?

Creatures such as sea turtles, dolphins, whales, and seabirds frequently mistake plastic for food. When they ingest it, they can suffer severe health issues or even die because their bodies can’t process plastic.

How can I explain plastic pollution to children?

A straightforward way to explain it is by comparing it to a tummy ache. Just like we feel sick after eating something bad, animals feel the same when they consume plastic. This analogy helps kids grasp the concept of harm in a relatable way.

What is single-use plastic?

Single-use plastic refers to items like straws, cups, bags, and bottles that are used just once before being tossed away. These products significantly contribute to pollution, as many aren’t recycled properly.

Does all plastic get recycled?

Nope, not all plastic makes it to the recycling bin. A significant portion ends up in the ocean. In fact, millions of tonnes of plastic flow into our oceans each year, worsening the pollution crisis.

What are ‘trash islands’?

‘Trash islands’ are vast areas in the ocean where tiny bits of plastic gather. They aren’t solid land but rather floating patches of debris that take centuries to decompose.

How much plastic is in the ocean?

There’s already a staggering amount of plastic in our seas, and it’s on the rise each year. Scientists warn that if we don’t change our ways, there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean in the future.

What can families do to reduce plastic use?

Families can opt for reusable items like metal straws, refillable water bottles, and shopping bags. These small adjustments can lead to significant changes over time.

Why is it important to teach children about this?

It's crucial to instill a sense of responsibility in children for the planet. By teaching them positive habits early on, we can help safeguard the environment for the future and ensure that our oceans remain clean and healthy for everyone.