Ocean Plastic Pollution!
Barcelona, Spain, Jul 24 (EFE).-
Central American countries along the Pacific coast are the most heavily affected areas by plastic bottle pollution, according to a new study by the University of Barcelona (UB).
Researchers analyzed more than 12,000 kilometers of Pacific coastline, from Mexico to Chile, examining 92 mainland beaches, 15 island beaches, and 38 nearby human settlements. The research also included remote islands such as Rapa Nui, the Galápagos, and Robinson Crusoe.
Published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, the study focused on ten countries including Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile.
The research, which examined the quantity, type, and origin of the bottles, also involved around 1,000 volunteers and dozens of social organizations who helped collect the plastic waste.
The study found that Central American nations are the most affected by plastic bottle pollution. Researchers attributed this to high consumption of bottled beverages, poor waste management, and the influence of ocean currents carrying remains to coastal areas.
A significant portion of the plastic bottles and caps found on Pacific beaches originated locally or nationally, highlighting the role of domestic consumption and inadequate recycling infrastructure.
The study’s authors emphasized the urgent need to improve local waste management systems and implement coordinated regional measures to curb plastic pollution.
On the shores of oceanic islands, a higher proportion of bottles were of Asian origin, likely discarded by passing ships and carried by ocean currents.
In total, the collected bottles came from 356 brands owned by 253 companies, including major multinational corporations such as The Coca-Cola Company, Aje Group, and PepsiCo.
Of the bottles and caps analyzed, 53 percent had legible expiration or production dates. Among the items with identifiable origins, 59 percent came from countries along Latin America’s Pacific coast.
The oldest items found included a Powerade bottle from 2001 discovered on a Peruvian beach and a Coca-Cola bottle from 2002 collected on a Chilean island. EFE jfc/bks/sc
