“Be a part of the solution. Not a part of the pollution.”
Plastic pollution is everywhere. Plastic pollution happens most in the ocean. Not just in the ocean but also on land and even on Mars. This poses a big threat to plants, animals, and humans. Very soon, the weight of all the plastics in the oceans will weigh more than all the ocean’s fish. Most of these plastics are in the bodies of fish and other marine animals like turtles and seabirds. Recently, I heard that a young whale in the Philippines died with pounds of plastics in its belly. It has been starved to death as its stomach is full of plastics not food. This is only one example I mentioned. Animal deaths like this happen all around the world due to plastic pollution.
What are Plastics?
Plastics are usually man-made polymers. They are made of natural materials such as natural gases, oil, coal, minerals, salt, cellulose, etc. Everywhere you look, you will find plastics. Absolutely, everywhere. There are seven different types of plastic like Polyvinyl Chloride, Polystyrene or Styrofoam(PS), Polypropylene(PP), etc.
Properties of Plastics
Following are some properties of Plastics that make us rely more and more on Plastics.
- They can be easily molded into different shapes and sizes.
- Light in weight
- Good transparency
- They do not rust
- Low thermal conductivity
- Good insulation
- Low processing cost
- Durability
What is Plastic pollution?
Plastic pollution can be described as the harmful accumulation of products made up of plastics and microplastics in the environment;i.e land and ocean. This is most visible in Asian and African countries where waste disposal systems are very inefficient. Due to the improper waste disposal systems in these countries, tons of plastics have been accumulated in the environment mainly in the ocean. Plastics can take many lifetimes to biodegrade. Therefore, plastic will exist in the environment for years causing long-term harm to the environment. This is a big threat to living organisms.
By now, plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental problems all around the world. When we consider the marine environment, this has been the most affecting widespread problem. Day by day death toll of animals mounts vastly due to this. Plastics release toxic chemicals to the environment. These harmful chemicals are almost in the blood of every living being on earth even the unborn. Plastics have become such a big ecological burden because of the way we people deal with them at the end of their lifetime. We do not have efficient disposal methods or recycling programs, maybe because recycling plastics is difficult.
As I mentioned before, plastic is most seen in the Ocean and about 60% of the plastic waste in the ocean comes from the following countries.
- China
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- Vietnam
Million tons of plastic are produced each year and China is the world’s largest plastic producer. Someday all these tons of plastic are getting accumulated in the environment increasing plastic pollution. In the time you take to read this, thousands of plastic products may have been thrown away to the environment.
Millions of animals are killed by plastic every year and nearly 700 species of animals including the endangered ones are known to have been affected by plastics. Most of these animal deaths are caused mainly due to starvation and entanglement due to plastics. Most of the animals are not able to distinguish plastic from food. So, when they eat plastics mistaking them for food, their stomachs get filled with them and it causes starvation reducing the urge to eat and also in some cases it blocks the digestive tract causing difficulties of food digestion. As Plastic contains toxic chemicals, it increases the risk of diseases and affects the reproduction of animals.
The main impact of plastic products on the environment is that it takes so many years for them to decompose and the toxic chemicals that leach out of them increase the risk of cancers, asthma, kidney diseases, liver damage, birth defects, and other ailments due to the exposure to them. Plastic pollution causes a shortage of clean water thus we cannot have enough supply for all and it is ruining our fertile soils and lands too.
The world’s first-ever man-made plastic was introduced to the world in 1862 and the production of thousands of new plastic products accelerated vastly after World War II. Plastic is essential to the design of medical equipment, vehicles, and many many other important products. Life without plastics has been unbelievable today. There are thousands of COVID-19 patients all around the world who are intubated with ventilators in a desperate attempt to keep them alive. This procedure would certainly be impossible without plastics. This is just one example. Plastic has been a benefit to mankind without a doubt despite the harm they cause to both the human race and nature. So, we should find methods to use plastics without poisoning our environment or ourselves.
About 70 countries in the world have passed some sort of full or partial ban on plastic bags in order to reduce the increasing plastic pollution. And, Rwanda is known to be the world’s first plastic-free nation.
Which countries have banned plastic bags?
- Kenya
- New York state
- Thailand
- Rwanda
- Bhutan
July 3, which is the International Plastic Bag Free Day, is dedicated to raising awareness about the very pressing issue of plastic pollution and to remind the importance of reducing plastic usage in everyday life.
Several ways you can follow to reduce Plastic Pollution
- Use reusable bags instead of plastic bags
- Use reusable bottles instead of single-use plastic water bottles
- Do not use plastic straws
- Be aware of product packaging while you are shopping
- Recycle properly
- Volunteer in a beach or river clean up
- Support plastic bans
- Join and support organizations addressing plastic pollution
People are using plastic products endlessly without realizing how it is harming our environment. We people must be aware of “the consequences of using plastics excessively”. So that we can help to stop plastic pollution before it gets too late. The younger generation should be taught from childhood about plastic pollution and to avoid using plastic products excessively. Similarly, we should make adults also aware of this in order to stop this serious environmental issue. In addition, governments must take necessary measures to stop plastic pollution.
Written by – Nethmi Navodya
Edited by – Kesaru Hasun
