The Mediterranean Sea is facing a growing crisis due to the accumulation of plastic waste. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), around 229,000 tons of plastic enter the Mediterranean each year. This problem is worsened by the sea's unique geography. The Mediterranean is nearly enclosed, with only a narrow connection to the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar. Because of this, the water in the Mediterranean is renewed very slowly—roughly once every century. This means that once plastic waste enters the sea, it stays for a long time, leading to a buildup of pollution over the years. In a 2020 report titled The Mediterranean, the IUCN identified Egypt, Italy, and Turkey as the primary contributors to plastic pollution in the region. Egypt is responsible for about 74,000 tons of plastic waste annually, followed by Italy with nearly 34,000 tons and Turkey with around 24,000 tons. Together, these three countries account for more than half of the total plastic entering the Mediterranean each year. This highlights the need for improved waste management and environmental policies in these nations. The buildup of plastic in the Mediterranean is driven by several factors, such as poor waste management systems, high population density along the coast, and a lack of recycling infrastructure. These issues lead to plastic waste being washed into the sea. Once there, the plastic breaks down into tiny particles known as microplastics due to exposure to sunlight, salt, and waves. These microplastics are then ingested by marine life, such as plankton and small fish, and move up the food chain. Eventually, they can end up in larger fish and other species that humans consume. The slow renewal of the Mediterranean's water means that microplastics accumulate over time, posing risks to marine life and potentially to human health. Scientists are increasingly concerned about the long-term effects of microplastics on food safety and marine ecosystems, especially since Mediterranean seafood is widely consumed around the world. The region's unique geography also makes it an important area for studying the effects of plastic pollution and testing solutions, as changes in plastic discharge may have more visible impacts compared to open oceans.