LEVELS OF PLASTIC in the Atlantic Ocean are “much higher” than previously estimated as a result of plastic debris hidden beneath the ocean’s surface.

A study published by the journal Nature Communication has found that there are between 12 and 21 million tonnes of microplastic suspended in the top 200 metres of the Atlantic Ocean alone.

If the samples taken from this section of the ocean are representative of the concentration of plastics at other depths of the Atlantic, it means there are an additional 178 million tonnes of plastic in the ocean compared to previous estimates – 10 times more than previously thought.

Many people have made efforts to use less plastic items, in particular single-use plastic, in recent years due to its environmental impact.

We want to know: Have you made efforts to use less plastic in your daily life?

Our colleagues at Noteworthy want to find out if Irish recycling waste ending up in illegal dumps abroad? See how you can support this project here.

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