Our oceans are in deep trouble.
According to a recent United Nations Regional Information Centre backgrounder, global plastic production is approximately 430 million metric tonnes per year. Of this, between 19 and 23 million tonnes of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems each year, including rivers and oceans.
Not only is this a critical mass of material waste, but it is having a severe negative impact on the natural environment, particularly in marine environments, where the problems can be hidden.
During a visit to Antarctica Rob and Anna experience first-hand the effects of climate change on the marine environment and wildlife in such an important location.
Understanding our impact
It is not uncommon for marine species to ingest or become entangled in plastic debris, suffering from injury or death. It also washes up on beaches, harming tourism and costing large sums of money to clean up.
More worrying, is what happens to plastics in the ocean as they degrade and break down and convert into micro plastics. These are making their way into the food chains and having a devastating effect on many individual species.
Micro plastics doesn’t just pollute our seas, it ends up in the food we eat, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe. These particles carry toxic chemicals, disrupt human hormones, and are already being found in organs and bloodstreams. The health risks are real, and still unfolding.
The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for action to ‘Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources’ (Goal 14) and ‘By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution’ (Target 14.1).
What we’re doing about it
TDP is committed to diverting plastic waste from landfill by taking disposed material and using it to create handcrafted outdoor furniture.
Our products are designed to have a minimal environmental impact during production and their use. All our products are defined as non-toxic, chemically inert, and safe for their intended uses and environments.
They also stand the test of time and are incredibly durable. They require very little maintenance in the form of chemical treatments or painting and they withstand the elements, maintaining a fresh and new look for decades.