More than 171 trillion pieces of plastic are now estimated to be floating in the world’s oceans, according to scientists, the BBC reported.
Plastic kills fish and sea animals and takes hundreds of years to break down into less harmful materials.
The concentration of plastics in the oceans has increased from 16 trillion pieces in 2005, data suggests.
It could nearly triple by 2040 if no action is taken, scientists warn. Last week, nations signed the historic UN High Seas treaty aiming to protect 30% of the oceans.
To produce this new estimate, a group of scientists analysed records starting in 1979 and added recent data collected on expeditions that trawl the seas with nets to collect plastics.
The 171 trillion pieces are made up of both recently discarded plastics and older pieces that have broken down, lead author Dr Marcus Eriksen from the 5 Gyres Institute told BBC News.
