If plastic is 100% synthetically made, then why is nature a cause of plastic pollution in the oceans?

Nature is often unpredictable, weather conditions around the world can change in the blink of an eye. Many times, people are not adequately prepared for weather conditions that may result in plastic items ending up in the oceans. Boats and ships sometimes experience harsh stormy weather conditions out at sea, causing plastic containers to be washed overboard.

Typhoons that occur in the West Pacific regions and tropical cyclones that occur in the Indian Ocean affect Southeast Asia countries. These natural phenomenons are characterised by large storms and violent winds that has an area of effect hundreds of kilometres in diameter. Harsh wind conditions are sufficient to carry plastics, that are light in nature, across land and into the oceans. In severe wind conditions, extensive flooding may also occur. Southeast Asia is the most flood-prone region in the world.

Floods can be a result of excessive rainfall, typhoons, cyclones, tsunamis, overflow of rivers at their banks and also accidents where dams are ruptured. Floods not only damage infrastructure and agriculture, but they are also a medium to carry plastics into the oceans. The image below shows the aftermath of super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013. Much of the wreckage would have been led into the ocean by violent winds and severe flooding.

 

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Next, impacts of plastics in oceans.

Previously, human causes.