Since plastic was invented in the late 19th century and production took off in the 1950s, 9.2 million tons of plastics have gone into production and 6.9 billion tons have become waste that grows by millions of tons every year. Between 5.3 million and 14 million tons a year are dumped mostly on coastal regions, thence into the sea. It stays there year after year, a lot of it ending in the stomachs of sea animals who then die from internal injuries.

We are helping find solutions to plastic problem. (2019, April 1). Manila Bulletin, p. 8.