Plastic is increasingly used throughout the world. Its production exceeds 300 million tons per year.
Due to its inability to decompose under natural conditions, plastic, in particular, settles in marine ecosystems. Every year, the world ocean receives from 4.8 to 12.7 million tons of plastic, according to scientists.
The Mediterranean Sea is "drowning in plastic," as nowadays a quarter of its fish could contain plastic debris.
1/12
© AP Photo / Vassilis Tsiairis
Divers collect tires from the sea floor in the Saronic Gulf near Athens. Greece has the European Union’s longest coastline, poor waste management and an addiction to single-use plastic that litters the country’s seabed. To fight the problems, volunteer divers work as underwater garbage collectors to clear debris - mostly plastic - that is littering the sea floor.
Plastic waste abandoned underwater near Lindos beach, on the Greek Island of Rhodes.
3/12
© AP Photo / Vassilis Tsiairis
Divers collect bottles and plates from the sea floor in the Saronic Gulf near Athens. Greece has the European Union’s longest coastline, poor waste management and an addiction to single-use plastic that litters the country’s seabed. To fight the problems, volunteer divers work as underwater garbage collectors to clear debris - mostly plastic - that is littering the sea floor.
A microwave oven is seen at the bottom of the sea off the island of Sifnos, Greece.
A glass bottle is seen at the bottom of the sea off the island of Sifnos, Greece.
Plastic waste abandoned underwater near Lindos beach, on the Greek Island of Rhodes.
7/12
© AP Photo / Alexis Malagaris/Samos Divers Association
Kusadasi Ilgun, a sunken 6-meter (20-foot) plastic boat, lies in waters 3 meters (10 feet) deep, just 20 meters (yards) off the eastern Greek island of Samos. Greek authorities say 11 more people were abandoned during the dangerous crossing from Turkey to Greece after the boat, carrying nearly 30 refugees, sank in harsh seas near the eastern island of Samos.
Two chairs are seen at the bottom of the sea off the island of Thasos, Greece.
Plastic waste abandoned underwater near Lindos beach, on the Greek Island of Rhodes.
A fish swims by an anchor at the bottom of the sea off the island of Sifnos, Greece.
A beer can is seen at the bottom of the sea off the island of Thasos, Greece.
12/12
© AP Photo / Thanassis Stavrakis
A crane lifts up tires from the sea as a volunteer diver with Aegean Rebreath gives directions in Legrena about 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Athens. Greece has the European Union’s longest coastline, poor waste management and an addiction to single-use plastic that litters the country’s seabed. To fight the problems, volunteer divers work as underwater garbage collectors to clear debris - mostly plastic - that is littering the sea floor.
