Plastic pollution is becoming an increasingly visible issue on British Columbia’s beaches. While it’s easy to notice bottles and bags washed ashore, plastic’s real harm happens as it breaks down, impacting both wildlife and the very structure of the beach environment itself.
Impact on Local Wildlife
Plastic waste harms many of BC’s coastal creatures. Seagulls often mistake plastic for food or become entangled in it, while crabs, fish, and other marine animals are also affected when plastic debris contaminates their habitat. Even mammals like raccoons, which forage near the shore, can ingest plastics or have their food sources tainted by it.
In a 2016 study, Red Phalaropes, a type of shorebird, were found dead on BC’s northern coast with plastic debris in their stomachs. These birds were already weakened due to unusual ocean conditions, but plastic ingestion pushed them over the edge. This case illustrates how plastic, combined with environmental stress, can have devastating effects on wildlife.¹
Plastic Breakdown: Microplastics and Nanoplastics
As plastic waste sits on beaches, it doesn’t simply disappear—it slowly breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, eventually becoming microplastics (less than 5mm in size) and even nanoplastics (less than 0.1 micrometers). These tiny particles are particularly concerning because they infiltrate every layer of the ecosystem. Microplastics mix with sand, enter the water, and are ingested by animals of all sizes—from small fish and crabs to larger marine species. These particles can also carry toxic chemicals that have been absorbed onto the plastic’s surface, further poisoning wildlife.
Microplastics can be nearly impossible to remove from the environment. Studies have found that 95% of the plastic fragments on beaches are microplastics. This means that even after large debris is cleaned up, the damage remains in the form of tiny, nearly invisible particles.²
The Hidden Effects of Plastic on Beaches
Beyond its obvious impact on wildlife, plastic alters the very structure of beaches. Research shows that plastic fragments, when mixed with beach sand, change the way water moves through the sand. Plastic makes the sand more permeable, meaning it absorbs and retains water differently. This disrupts natural beach processes like drainage and can create zones where water sits stagnant, encouraging erosion and further damaging the ecosystem.
Additionally, plastic can dramatically affect the temperatures of beach sediments. A study on remote islands found that plastic debris increased the maximum daily temperature of beach sand by 2.45°C and lowered the minimum temperature by 1.50°C. This shift in temperature extremes can harm animals that rely on stable conditions, such as crabs, insects, and other small organisms that live in the sand.³
Plastic also acts as an insulator. It slows down the natural warming and cooling of the beach, potentially affecting temperature-sensitive species like crabs and certain plants. Over time, these shifts could lead to a decline in biodiversity, as species that can’t adapt to the changing environment are forced out.
The Long-Term Effects
Plastic on beaches doesn’t just affect local ecosystems—it has a global impact. As plastic breaks down, it enters the food chain. Fish and other marine animals eat these tiny plastic particles, and those animals are in turn eaten by larger predators, eventually making their way into the human diet. Microplastics have been found in seafood, drinking water, and even the air we breathe, raising concerns about their impact on human health.
Our Solution: Turning Plastic into Furniture
At Good World Materials, we’re addressing this problem by collecting plastic waste from BC beaches and turning it into durable, eco-friendly furniture. By transforming harmful plastic into something functional, we help reduce the amount of waste polluting our coastline and give it a new purpose. Our products not only clean up the environment but also provide a sustainable solution for homes and businesses.
How You Can Help
By choosing furniture made from recycled plastic, you’re helping to keep our beaches clean. Each piece we create represents one step toward a cleaner coastline and a healthier environment. Together, we can protect British Columbia’s beaches for future generations.
To learn more about our recycled plastic furniture or see how you can get involved, visit our website today.
References
1.Lavers, J. L., Rivers-Auty, J., & Bond, A. L. 2021. “Plastic debris increases circadian temperature extremes in beach sediments.” Journal of Hazardous Materials, 403, 126140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126140
2.Provencher, J. F., et al. 2018. “Ingestion of marine debris by seabirds in the North Pacific.” Marine Pollution Bulletin, 133, 587-595. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.06.028
3.Cooper, D. A., & Corcoran, P. L. 2011. “Effects of plastic fragments on the physical properties of beach sediments.” Marine Pollution Bulletin, 62(8), 1968-1974. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.05.032