Banning single-used plastic is an effective way to save our oceans because it has been harming marine animals, polluting the water, and wasting energy. Even though it may be useful for our daily lives, every piece of it will remain on earth for decades.

Marine animals can be protected if single-used plastic is banned. Animals such as seabirds, turtles, and fish are threatened by the plastic waste. “According to the United Nations, at least 800 species worldwide are affected by marine debris and as much as 80 percent of that litter is plastic.” (Simon Reddy, 2018) Animals might have mistaken it for food, become trapped, and been affected by it in a range of ways. Research shows that there has been a less than expected amount of plastic on the ocean surface. “That likely to be because the food chain is soaking up the smaller particles of plastic known as microplastics.” (Christopher Doyle, 2014) Every year, there’s approximately 13million metric tons of plastic thrown into the ocean.  “Roughly half of the annual plastic production is destined for a single-used product.” (Plastic Oceans International, 2016) Reducing the amount of single-plastic, which we use the most will help bring down this number largely.

Banning single-used plastic is an effective way to save our oceans because it’s been polluting ocean water. For example, in a newsela article a place in Guatemala was on the edge of losing their natural environment, mainly their tourist spot Lake Pedro. “Before 2016, San Pedro La Laguna was drowning in plastic pollution.” (Lola Mendez, Atlas Obscura, 2019) But after they banned all single-used plastic and sued biodegradable products the government gave them, the lake slowly returned to normal. In addition, they used plastic as fuel and decorations. “Several projects have launched to transform trash into decorations. This encourages the mentality of reducing, recycling, reusing and regenerating.” (Lola Mendez, Atlas Obscura, 2019) Plastic is ruining the natural beauty of the ocean, turning it into a sea of unbiodegradable products that was thrown in without being recycled every year “on top of the 150million metric tons that already circulate our marine environment.” (Ocean Conservancy, 2019) Furthermore, the ocean is where most of the oxygen on earth comes from. However, not all citizens agree to the solution of banning single-used plastic.

Even though a lot of countries have already banned single-used plastic, not all the people like this action. Others argue that it’s necessary for our daily lives, and can be used in many different ways. “For example, single-used plastic products that prevent the spread of infection are crucial in the medical industry.” (Plastics Industry Association, 2019) But there are other things that can replace plastic. Paper bags and leather bags are reasonable substitutes because they can both break down naturally. Biomimicry can also help solve this problem. Recycling plastic can go to a lot of trouble and a waste of time and energy. Opponents may say that a lot of people can’t afford biodegradable products. Alternatively, people can use leather bags over an over again, and lowering the price or providing citizens with supplies are solutions. Plastic may be easy one-time use, but the harm it’s done to the ocean is deadly. Therefore, single-used plastic should be banned for its impact on the ocean.

Marine animals and the ocean have been widely affected negatively by single-used plastics. The environment has been dying because the amount of thrown-away plastic. Plastic can be replaced by lots of products, and has wasted a lot of energy from recycling it. Banning single-used plastic is an effective way to save our oceans.