How Long Does Plastic Last In The Ocean

How Long Does Plastic Last in the Ocean?

Plastic pollution remains one of the greatest environmental threats facing our planet in 2025. Despite growing awareness and increased regulatory efforts, plastic waste continues to flood our oceans at alarming rates. But how long does it really last once it gets there?

The Lifespan of Plastic: A Lingering Legacy in Our Oceans

Plastic doesn’t biodegrade the way organic matter does—it breaks down into smaller fragments over hundreds of years, but it never fully disappears. Depending on the type and environmental exposure, plastic can take anywhere from 20 to over 500 years to degrade. Even then, it becomes microplastics—tiny particles that persist in the marine environment indefinitely.

This longevity makes plastic a permanent pollutant. Only around 9% of plastic waste globally is recycled, according to the most recent data from 2024. About 19% is incinerated, and the remaining 72% ends up in landfills or the environment, including our oceans.

Global Plastic Pollution: Where It’s Coming From

A 2024 update from the journal Science Advances reaffirmed that developing countries with limited waste infrastructure are still among the top contributors to marine plastic pollution. The Philippines, India, Indonesia, China, and Vietnam lead the list—largely due to dense populations and coastal regions lacking sufficient waste management systems.

That said, wealthier nations are not exempt. Many export their waste to these same countries or contribute indirectly through consumption-driven demand for single-use plastics.

Ocean Impact: Plastic’s Toll on Marine Life and Humans

Marine animals are particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution. Turtles, seabirds, whales, and fish mistake plastic bags and fragments for food or become entangled in floating debris, often leading to injury, starvation, or death.

Microplastics are especially insidious. These tiny fragments are now found at every level of the food chain, from plankton to large predators—and even in humans. A 2023 study found microplastics in 98% of tested seafood samples and confirmed their presence in human blood, lungs, and placenta tissue, raising major public health concerns.

Prevention and Cleanup: Two Halves of the Solution

Combating plastic pollution demands a two-pronged approach: prevention and cleanup.

Prevention starts with redesigning systems: reducing production of single-use plastics, creating reusable alternatives, and enforcing bans on the most polluting items. As of 2025, over 70 countries have enacted regulations banning or limiting single-use plastics, from straws to plastic cutlery.

Cleanup efforts continue, both on land and in water. Projects like The Ocean Cleanup have removed over 2 million kilograms of plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch since 2021. But deep-sea plastics and microplastics remain a challenge, as they are difficult—if not impossible—to retrieve once they enter the water column or ocean floor.

Bioplastics and biodegradable materials offer potential solutions but often fail to break down in cold, dark marine environments, meaning they may still persist as pollution.

Hope Through Innovation and Conscious Consumption

While the scale of plastic pollution is daunting, innovation and collective action offer hope. Brands, governments, and consumers are increasingly prioritizing sustainability and circular economy models.

One example of meaningful action comes from the fashion industry—particularly swimwear, a category often overlooked in environmental conversations.

2Bodies Swim: A Canadian Brand Turning Ocean Waste into Wearable Change

Enter 2Bodies Swim, a Canadian, women-led swimwear brand founded on the belief that fashion can be both beautiful and responsible. The brand’s mission is rooted in sustainability and ethical production, with a focus on minimizing its environmental footprint.

Rather than using virgin nylon—which is derived from fossil fuels and contributes to plastic pollution—2Bodies Swim creates all of its pieces using ECONYL®, a regenerated nylon made from discarded fishing nets, ocean plastics, and textile waste.

Their closed-loop production model ensures that waste becomes raw material, reducing the volume of plastic left to drift in our oceans. It’s more than just swimwear—it's a statement about the future of fashion, design, and environmental stewardship.

Final Thoughts: The Power of Collective Impact

Plastic may last hundreds of years in the ocean, but our choices today will define the world tomorrow. Whether it’s rethinking how we consume, pushing for systemic change, or supporting sustainable brands, every action counts.

The ocean can’t protect itself—but together, we can protect it.