Society Needs to Do More to Reduce Effects of Plastic Pollution

Plastics are produced from fossil fuels through processes involving heat and additives to form polymers.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Plastic is everywhere; Not a day goes by where we don’t use it. It is ubiquitous, from water bottles to medicine. However, its prevalence comes with a significant problem: Plastics are made from non-renewable resources and are not biodegradable. 

More than 430 million tons of plastic is produced annually, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. This alone is staggering, but when taking into account that, according to National Geographic, around 40% of plastic is used for single-use products, the number becomes downright absurd. This number highlights the urgent need to conserve non-renewable resources for future generations, transition to biodegradable alternatives and implement effective strategies to manage existing plastic waste. 

Then what is the problem? Because of inefficient garbage collection and low recycling rates, plastic starts accumulating everywhere. Every year, over 280 million tons of single-use plastic end up as waste, according to UNEP. 

Accumulated plastics are present on land and in water resources, impacting both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Plastic pollution is a significant contributor to climate change. This is why we must be mindful of our choices when purchasing and disposing of items. Unfortunately, many people discard their waste without considering its impact. Some plastics can be recycled, while others can be reused, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful waste management.

Plastics are non-biodegradable, but natural factors such as solar radiation and wind cause them to break down into microplastics, which are smaller than 5 millimeters and nanoplastics, which are smaller than 1 millimeter.

Melissa Lenczewski, a professor in the Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment explained how plastic is everywhere. 

“Plastic is everywhere in our lives, from clothing and accessories to everyday items. Unlike organic materials, plastic doesn’t decompose but instead breaks down into smaller pieces that remain in the environment indefinitely. It’s a persistent material that comes from nearly everything we use in daily life,” Lenczewski said.

Approximately 46% of plastic waste ends up in landfills, with 22% improperly managed, eventually becoming litter. Plastic can cause pollution that endangers marine life, harms the soil, pollutes groundwater and threatens human health. 

Plastics are produced from fossil fuels through processes involving heat and additives to form polymers. In 2019 alone, plastics contributed 1.8 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, representing 3.4% of global emissions, according to UNEP.  

This data highlights the urgent need to explore and adopt alternatives such as biodegradable plastics made from renewable sources. Additionally, improving waste management systems is essential. This includes increasing recycling rates, promoting the reuse of materials and implementing policies to reduce single-use plastics. Raising public awareness and encouraging responsible consumption and disposal practices can further support these efforts toward a more sustainable future.

Wildlife, especially marine animals, often mistake plastics for food, leading to injury or death and contributing to the continued endangerment of wildlife. About 2,100 species are affected by plastic pollution, according to National Geographic. 

The spread of plastic isn’t only dangerous to wildlife, however. Humans constantly consume microplastics through water, food and air, raising the risk of issues like hormonal disruption and toxicity. 

Plastic pollution disrupts ecosystems, contaminates soil and water sources and leads to harmful environmental changes, like the climate crisis and the increase of greenhouse gases.

Since the use of plastic is unavoidable, we as a society must reuse it as much as possible. Simply by bringing bags to the grocery store and recycling your single-use plastics properly, you can have an effect.

Governments and producers, meanwhile, also need to do their part by developing biodegradable and eco-friendly plastics. We need strong policies and legislation for banning certain types of plastics and promoting better waste management practices. Finally, we need to increase public awareness about the impact of plastic pollution and waste management.

Courtesy: www.northernstar.info

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