About 53m tonnes of plastic ‘could end up in waterbodies every year by 2030’

Plastic waste found in Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Picture: Marcus Eriksen/5 Gyres Institute

As much as 53 million tonnes of plastic could end up in rivers, lakes and oceans every year by the end of the decade, even if global commitments to reduce plastic pollution are met, experts have warned.

In a new modelling study published in the journal Science, ecologists monitoring pollution in aquatic ecosystems have voiced their concern, saying more needs to be done to reduce emissions.