The Spark

the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist

“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx

Plastic in the Fish

Aug 30, 2021

The fish we eat are filled with bits of plastic, as are the oceans of the world. At least eight million tons, which is 16 billion pounds, of plastic waste goes into the oceans every year. One area of the Pacific Ocean is called the Great Garbage Patch, and it is an area twice the size of Texas! Fish take in little bits of plastic as they open their mouths to eat, and this kills millions each year. Plastic bottles and grocery bags and lost fishing nets make up this waste that kills marine animals.

Some environmentalists propose that the public switch to reusable bottles or bags to help clean up the ocean. But it is not our individual choices that have polluted landfills, rivers and oceans so heavily.

The real problem is that companies use the cheapest parts and packaging they possibly can. They mass produce what they need to package and sell their products, and to make their profits.

They care only about the bottom line. And they fill the world with their garbage.