Unfortunately, throughout the world the majority of plastic still goes un-recycled, and is instead left to litter around the planet or dumped into landfills. This has serious repercussions for the global ecology, as plastic is a largely non-biodegradable substance – although a recent study shows that certain bacteria can break it down.
Scientists estimate that plastic can take anywhere from 20 to 1000years to decompose, and before that happens particles can cause serious damage to ecosystems around the world.
Recent studies conducted on the small plastic particles found throughout the ocean have shown how a new ecosystem is developing within the ocean around bacteria which inhabit the plastic. As it continues to develop it could end up causing serious changes to the oceans wider ecosystem; as smaller animals start to feed on the bacteria there, and bigger animals start feeding on them, we’ll likely see more plastic entering the food chain as well.