PLASTIC – A Threat to All Animals

All creatures deserve to live in a world free from plastic pollution and its impacts.

Plastic can be found all throughout nature, from the oceans to fresh waterways, to soils, air, and even outer space.

Plastic contains harmful chemicals and never benignly degrades. Instead it breaks down into smaller fragments called microplastics and nanoplastics.

Many wild animals mistake plastic for food, and in nature they must navigate a dangerous plastic obstacle course.

In the oceans, fatal entanglement in and ingestion of plastic by marine mammals is increasing along with the amount of plastic in the ocean.

Once ingested, plastic items and particles can inflict deadly physical injuries on animals’ digestive tracts, including perforation of stomach and intestinal walls.

Even small quantities of plastic can shorten animals’ lifespans, as has been observed in sea turtles.

The dangerous chemicals in plastics build up in animals’ bodies over time. Plastic is a threat to all animals, of all sizes, everywhere.

Ultimately, plastic threatens the health of all living creatures.

Let’s continue to build our awareness around the harms of plastic pollution and push for systemic change so that plastic-free and reusable options are the norm.

Together we can #breakfreefromplastic!

Source: Plastic Pollution Coalition