WOA III: Ocean Plastics

Why sustainable alternatives to plastic are struggling to compete

8 June 2026 | UN News

Plastic pollution is choking the ocean, but sustainable alternatives - including seaweed - remain held back by tariffs, fragmented regulations and the overwhelming market advantage enjoyed by fossil fuel-based plastics.

© Unsplash/Stefan Sebök | Eucheuma seaweed growing on longlines.

Underwater view of ocean pollution showing floating plastic debris, including bags, packaging fragments, and a plastic bottle, suspended near the water’s surface. Small striped fish swim among the litter in clear blue water, illustrating the impact of plastic waste on marine ecosystems

Five things you need to know about ocean plastics

6 June 2026 | UN News

Once plastics are released into the marine environment, large pieces choke wildlife and disturb fragile habitats like coral reefs before breaking down into toxic microplastics that poison the food chain. Even when they have fully disintegrated physically, their chemical bonds remain and the impacts persist.

Close-up underwater image of a clear plastic bottle floating near the ocean surface in turquoise water. A black plastic strap is wrapped around the bottle’s neck, illustrating marine plastic pollution and the threat of plastic waste to ocean ecosystems.

Audio interview with Dr Ian Butler

3 June 2026 | UN News

Dr Ian Butler, a scientist at the University of Queensland and an editor of the latest World Ocean Assessment, spoke to UN News about the ecological impacts of ocean plastics, the limits of biodegradable alternatives, and why many scientists argue that the world must reduce plastic production rather than rely only on recycling and waste management.