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Plastik Lebenszyklus

Plastic PollutionThe long lasting
problem

Plastic pollutes the ocean long before we use it. And for a long time afterwards. It is harmful throughout its entire life cycle – from its production and use, to its disposal.

The problem begins with oil and gas exploration as raw materials for plastic: Oil and natural gas deposits in the ocean are located with seismic airguns that are so loud that marine animals can die or become deaf. When oil and gas are extracted or during transport, the risk of accidents is high and the hazardous chemicals can spill into the ocean. 

The production of plastic is also bad for the climate: Plastic production requires a lot of energy and releases large amounts of CO2. A large part of plastic waste is in turn incinerated, thereby emitting carbon dioxide – or it ends up in the environment.  

Around 9 million tonnes of plastic waste get into the ocean every year. Millions of marine animals die because they mistake the plastics for food or get entangled in it.

OceanCare tackles the plastic problem at its roots. We advocate for a global legally binding plastic treaty that regulates plastics at each stage of its life cycle.

PETITION

Our nature is not a waste dump!
Stop unnecessary single-use plastics.

10,737

OUT OF 15,000
SIGNATURES

Plastik Schweiz Bundeshaus

We call on the Swiss federal government: Stop shifting away your responsibility, but apply the instruments already in place within the Environmental Protection Act! Under this law, the Federal Council can ban the single-use plastic items, such as take-away items and plastic bags from the Swiss territory, independent of the material used, and can stop the sale of cosmetic and personal products containing microbeads in Switzerland.

GO TO PETITION

Together we tackle the plastic crisis

Plastik UNEA Turning off the Tap

Creating a legal framework

We focus on tackling the root of the problem. A legally-binding agreement is needed to address the full life cycle of plastics – from production to disposal.

Tierrettung Meeresschildkröte in Fischernetz

Save lives

Marine animals that ingest plastic or become entangled in plastic waste suffer immensely. We rescue them from their misery in collaboration with professional rescue networks.

Animal rescuers in action
CERA Bienenwachstuch OceanCare Shop

Change behaviour

You too can make a decision to reduce your plastic footprint. Become an active member of the I Care movement and say no to single-use plastic.

«I Care !»

Our public campaign against plastic waste

With humorous subjects we show the serious downside of global plastic consumption.

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Stories on Plastic Pollution

Story

Cigarette Butts: Toxic Plastic Pollution from Cradle to Grave

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Chemical Pollution Featured Petitions
Story

High Seas Treaty (UNCLOS BBNJ)

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BBNJ International Cooperation Plastic Pollution
Story

From a laggard to a leader: Switzerland needs to become a plastics champion

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Featured I Care Plastic Pollution
Story

Plastic: Harmful throughout its entire life cycle

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Plastic Pollution
Story

Warning: Plastic can endanger your health

Read now
Plastic Pollution
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NEWS

With only half of the week spent on substantive discussion, treaty negotiations end with lackluster outcomes

The second meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2) for a global agreement to end plastic pollution concluded today at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris with civil society organizations appealing to governments not to allow the use of dilatory tactics and procedural questions to set back progress and lower the...
Jun 02, 2023

Relevance of the BBNJ Agreement for Plastic Pollution

Briefing for INC Delegates on the relevance of the BBNJ agreement for the future international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (ILBI).
Jun 01, 2023

Untangled: Plastics Treaty Critical Role in Tackling Fishing Gear

Joint Breakfast Briefing for the Second Round of Plastics Treaty Negotiations (INC2) by Cook Islands, Norway, EIA, SPREP, University of Wollongong and OceanCare.
May 25, 2023

Europe’s laggard – Switzerland cannot recycle its way out of its plastic problem

Switzerland has a significant plastic problem. The factual analysis in the OceanCare report "Plastic Matters" reveals sobering weaknesses: Switzerland consumes more plastic per capita than almost any other country in the world. Whether it is packaging waste and other disposable plastic or microplastic, the environmental damage caused by the ever-increasing...
Jan 09, 2023

First Global Plastics Treaty Intergovernmental Meeting Concludes With a Mix of High and Low Points

Punta del Este, Uruguay – The first intergovernmental committee meeting (INC-1) for an internationally legally binding instrument on plastic pollution convened by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) concluded with a mix of high and low moments, setting the stage for a two-year-long process that could result in one of...
Dec 05, 2022

Switzerland has a plastic problem, and the majority of the Swiss population wants binding laws now

Switzerland has a plastics problem. That is the opinion of almost three quarters of the population. 25% even see it as a massive problem. OceanCare's decades of educational work and awareness raising efforts are having an effect: people are very concerned about plastics in the oceans – and this worries...
Oct 31, 2022
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Take action against the plastic flood

Whether individually when making your purchasing decisions, by taking part in a clean-up campaign like World Cleanup Day, or in the form of a donation: Each and every one of us can join  OceanCare in working for cleaner oceans and ensure that marine animals are rescued from plastic waste.

World Cleanup Day Zürich

It’s a fact:  We all use far too much plastic. With its «I Care» movement, OceanCare aims to bring together people who want to contribute to solving the plastic problem.

Click here to visit «I Care»

We can all help protect the sea by planning our seaside holidays in a more sustainable way. Here are our tips on how this can work.

To the tips

The «unpackaged» trend makes sense. Not only because less plastic is used. Your health benefits from it, too. Scientific studies confirm that.

Learn more

Many marine animals get trapped in plastic waste and need help. Around the globe, OceanCare supports rescue workers and ensures that animals in distress are rescued.

Visit Animal Rescue

Publications on plastic pollution

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Report: Unravelling the Truth – Whale killing in the Faroe Islands, 2023

October 2, 2023
, PDF

Open Letter: Iberian Orcas and their Interaction with Boats, 2023

August 25, 2023
, PDF

Factsheet: Cigarette Butts, 2023

August 3, 2023
, PDF

I Care: Treating Marine Wildlife with Respect, 2023

July 11, 2023
, PDF

Report: Noise Mitigation (BAT/BEP), CMS/OceanCare, 2023

June 13, 2023
, PDF

OceanCare Statement: UNCLOS ICP23, 2023

June 6, 2023
, PDF
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Your donation to protect the ocean from plastics

You enable OceanCare to advocate for a legally binding agreement that regulates plastic on its entire life cycle – from production to disposal.

Together we can make a difference.

Donate now
UNO: Nationale Flaggen
About OceanCare
OceanCare has been committed to marine wildlife protection since 1989.

The organisation holds Special Consultative Status on marine issues with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
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