Birds Spread Plastic Pollution from Landfills to Natural Habitats

Gulls and other birds are increasingly exploiting human waste as a reliable food source, often feeding at landfills and waste facilities. In doing so, they unintentionally transport pollution into natural ecosystems — a process known as biovectoring. Birds ingest food-contaminated materials such as plastic or glass and later regurgitate the indigestible waste at their resting sites.

Recent studies tracking migratory gulls in Europe show that significant amounts of debris are transferred from landfills to protected wetlands. For example, hundreds of kilograms of plastic are deposited annually in sensitive habitats, where it breaks down into microplastics and enters food chains, affecting wildlife.

This pollution also harms birds directly, causing injury, toxicity, or death. Beyond ecological damage, it poses risks to human food systems, including aquaculture and salt production.

Reducing food waste, cleaning packaging before disposal, and improving waste management can help limit this growing environmental issue.

29-04-2026