Causes of Plastic Pollution: Plastics are used because these are easy and cheap to make and they can last a long time. The Yellow River, said to be the cradle of Chinese civilization, is third on the plastic-waste list but that's not the only environmental problem with which it contends. Some animals are dying as a result of eating plastic—their stomachs fill with plastic, then they starve because they have no room in their stomachs for food. Toxins go up the food chain when plastic is consumed and can even be found in the fish people eat. 2) A toxic problem. Plastic waste is polluting our land, oceans, and animals. Bioplastics, which make up part of Coke’s PlantBottle, have been touted as an important solution to the world’s plastic pollution problem. When plastics and microplastics end up in the environment, they attract micro-organisms, such as harmful bacteria (pathogens). These products are 100 per cent plastic-free, containing no polyolefin plastic at all. However, it will take a lot more than reusable bags to solve the plastics pollution problem. Plastic pollution occured so rapidly that animals were unable to adjust their behaviour around this new material. It’s littering the bottom of the ocean and poisoning animals, plastic waste was truly everywhere in 2019. “The consumer often times has little choice to refuse plastic, ” said Trent Hodges, Plastic Pollution Manager for the Surfrider Foundation. But the problem with plastic is that most of it isn't biodegradable. It’s not just Flint: Here’s why we ignore water pollution Zariah Garner, 9, rests on a stack of water as National Guard members and civilians … Right now, only about 9 percent of plastics are recycled globally. While this is a very sad reality, people all over the world … The chemicals found in plastic are found in air, dust, and food. Why? Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects and particles (e.g. Such a small percentage for an activity that can have an important impact on the pollution of our planet. So let’s take a deeper look at the origins of plastic pollution, and the steps we need to take globally to solve the problem. The deceptive myth of plastic recycling. This is due to the fact that the problem of plastic contamination in humans is globally spread; there are almost no unexposed subjects. Plastic, which is not degradable and remains in the environment for long periods of time, is frequently disposed of improperly. 3. Nylon fishing line – 600 years. Manta rays in Bali, Indonesia navigate through plastic pollution., by UN World Oceans Day/Joerg Blessing. Our plastic pollution crisis is too big for recycling to fix. “Pollution is nothing but the resources we are not harvesting. The huge amounts of plastic on the ocean surface were what originally sparked public and scientific interest in the plastic problem. Solutions to Plastic Pollution . Plastic products contain chemical additives. We are producing and throwing away billions of disposable cups per year. Why Ocean Plastic Pollution Is A Problem That’s Hard To Visualize There’s no “great garbage patch” of plastic in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It’s overwhelming. There are many people in third world countries … Plastic is not as much of a threat to oceans as climate change or over-fishing. plastic bottles, bags and microbeads) in the Earth's environment that adversely affects wildlife, wildlife habitat, and humans. The term "Ocean bound plastic," was popularized by Jenna Jambeck, Ph. plastic bottles, bags and microbeads) in the Earth's environment that adversely affects wildlife, wildlife habitat, and humans. What actually is plastic? Since quite a big fraction of this trash is made from plastic, population growth also implies an increase in the plastic pollution problem. That being said, it is evident that the chemicals are not healthy for humans. Without knowing where plastic comes from, it’s difficult to understand why it presents such a large problem. Left to itself, plastic will get infinitely smaller, but never fully disappear. Plastic pollution by the numbers By 2050 it’s predicted there will be more plastic than fish in the sea. Previously, researchers believed that 10 large rivers – such as the Yangtze in China – were responsible for the bulk of plastic pollution. Plastic pollution is a huge problem—and it’s not too late to fix it. It doesn't rot, like paper or food, so instead it can hang around in the environment for hundreds of years. The Ocean Plastics Pollution Problem: An introduction to why ocean plastics are an issue including its effects on people and the planet. Incredibly vast and deep, the ocean acts like a huge sink for global pollution. This understanding is vital if we are going to see a mass effort to reduce plastic usage. Harm to animals. Global cooperation is essential. Seven charts that explain the plastic pollution problem. A plastic cup may remain for as long as 50 years in the soil without degrading! • Plastic pollution in the Philippines continues to be a significant issue due to a lack of sanitary landfills and strict restrictions on building new ones. Plastic has negative impacts on our natural environment, but not only that, plastic pollution creates problems for plants, animals, and humans too. Marine species ingest or are entangled by plastic debris, which causes severe injuries and deaths. Scientists analysed global inventories cataloguing more than 12 million pieces of litter found in and around rivers, oceans, shorelines and the seafloor. Second, plastic pollution may also lower our life quality. By Kyla Mandel. See this video to understand my cynicism with people who say recycling is the answer to plastic pollution. Why Does So Little Plastic Waste Get Recycled? Analyze existing solutions to reduce plastic pollution. Via rivers, rain and … • There is a call for producers, retailers, and waste management companies to come together to develop solutions to reduce plastic pollution … or eating in restaurant chains where only paper straws are provided But experts say for the environment plastic is a monstrous problem. If we get rid of plastics, we’ll simply replace it with something else. And this is only the case if the plastics are properly disposed. Aside from being incinerated, it is a problem that will almost never go away. Here are some ways to stop plastic pollution: Install Water Purifiers instead of using Plastic Bottles for drinking water. Opt for Reusable bottles and cups. Avoid using plasticware. Opt for reusable bags or paper bags for shopping. The plastic pollution problem is affecting nature—in particular, the plastic contamination in the ocean. Making things worse, the problem is likely to become even more serious in the future. Recycling plastic is a challenging process in itself. Ocean plastic therefore very easily enters the food chain, and is consumed by people when they eat fish or shellfish. Estimates claim that there are roughly 5.25 trillion pieces of large plastic and microplastic floating in the ocean. By 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans. Eduardo Leal’s Plastic Sea raises awareness about plastic pollution by focusing on hundreds of pieces of plastic that wash ashore at a remote beach in Colombia. Einstein once said, "Intellectuals solve problems, geniuses prevent them." It’s affecting humans directly. Because the plastic is cheap it gets discarded easily and its persistence in the environment can do great harm. Ocean plastic pollution is a huge problem. But, as we’ve seen, its hidden costs are enormous. Plastics are infamously hard to decompose. This means their carbon footprint is lowered. Climate change: obsession with plastic pollution distracts attention … The global campaign to gain control of plastic waste is one of the fastest-growing environmental causes ever mounted. Although many recognize that there is a problem with plastic pollution in the ocean many are unaware of how extreme this problem actually is and how quickly it is progressing. The problem of plastic in nature, particularly in our oceans, is a global crisis. 15 Causes of Plastic Pollution in the Ocean - EffectsAffordable Plastic. Plastic is so affordable for industries to use. ...Plastic Trash. Used plastic that are no longer good to use again will become trash. ...Overconsumption. People over consume things. ...Difficult to Break Down. ...Overused. ...Population Growth. ...Used to Make Many Things. ...Urbanisation. ...Reckless Waste Management. ...Littering. ...More items... Abstract Plastic pollution is one of the largest issues facing the world's oceans. Toxic toxins from plastic pollution affect humans, animals, and plants. Ocean-bound plastic is plastic waste that is headed toward our oceans. Virgin plastic is made from inexpensive crude oil. Why are disposable cups a problem? “It’s not just ocean plastic pollution that’s the problem, the production of plastic causes major problems too, plus there is a growing body of evidence around how the chemicals in plastic are affecting us. It has an impact on all creatures in the food chain, from plankton to whales. Plastic pollution is a problem we still know too little about January 31, 2014 9.49am EST ... but the scale of the problem is not yet widely appreciated by either the public or politicians. Unfortunately these very useful qualities make plastic a huge pollution problem. A growing problem is pollution from plastics, which is damaging our food supply and even the air we breathe. Our Relationship with Stuff. It’s nearly impossible to go throughout your day without using plastic . It’s an environmental crisis that’s been in the making for nearly 70 years. Without the right measures, the incineration of plastic waste can result in harmful toxic gases being released into the air. Plastic from take-out and convenience food is littering rivers and oceans - but straws are not the worst offenders, according to a new study. But given that it’s all manmade, it’s not as hard as you think to cut single-use plastic pollution, by aiming to buy better as much as we can – and by putting pressure on those with the power to make changes at scale. Plastic may degrade over hundreds, if not thousands, of years, creating long-term environmental harm. This blog post is part of a wider campaign aiming to share knowledge about environmental challenges within our communities. Why is the ocean so badly affected by plastic? These plastics might not solve our marine plastic pollution problem, but they are well suited to tackling another big environmental problem: food waste. 1. Plastic attracts other pollutants. Chemicals in plastic which give them their rigidity or flexibility (flame retardants, bisphenols, phthalates and other harmful chemicals) are oily poisons that repel water and stick to petroleum-based objects like plastic debris. In its July analysis of plastics, sustainability and development, … Since these materials are obviously not a product of the oceanic environment, plastic pollution in the ocean can harm any type of life that lives there. Everything from small fish to large whales and even down to tiny phytoplankton can be negatively impacted by the presence of plastic in the water. Antonio Bronic / Reuters. They Kill Animals. The problem of plastic pollution on land and in the oceans has only grown as the use of single-use plastics has burgeoned worldwide. Plastics that act as pollutants are categorized into micro-, meso-, or macro debris, based on size. Yes, plastic is choking our oceans. 73% of beach litter worldwide is plastic. WWF and Impact Hub join forces for the oceans. Plastic-eating enzyme created by scientists could help solve pollution According to the Ocean Conservancy, plastic has been found in more than 60 per cent of … It is thus a challenge to dispose it off. D., a professor from the University of Georgia. Eduardo Leal’s Plastic Sea raises awareness about plastic pollution by focusing on hundreds of pieces of plastic that wash ashore at a remote beach in Colombia. Plastic pollution in the ocean. Annie Leonard. Whether it’s investing in a household recycling bin or research local recycling facilities – doing our part to dispose of our plastic properly can cut down on the current plastic problem across Australia. When plastics and microplastics end up in the environment, they attract micro-organisms, such as harmful bacteria (pathogens). Its goal is to eliminate microplastics from personal care products, ban or tax single-use plastic bags, and reduce other disposable plastic … The Misconception It doesn't rot, like paper or food, so instead it can hang around in the environment for hundreds of years. The only thing worse than being lied to is not knowing you’re being lied to. Humans invented plastic and animals are harmed by it. In the short run, it’s because making virgin plastic is less expensive than recycling. There is an urgent need to explore the use of existing legally binding international agreements to address marine plastic pollution. It doesn’t get disposed off in the soil or water and its effect is worse when burnt. Thousands of rivers, including smaller ones, are responsible for most of the plastic pollution worldwide, a study has shown. … Marine life is facing "irreparable damage" from the millions of tonnes of plastic waste which ends … Why is the ocean so badly affected by plastic? If you’re not 100% clear on why disposable cups are such a big problem, this post will help you understand what the issue is and why it’s important to understand it. It’s a growing environmental problem that deserves attention. No need to use your imagination, I’m here to reveal to you the 7 reasons why every country should ban take away coffee cups! But what happens when more than 99% of these cups are not recycled? They eat it, they get caught in it, or get sick because of it. We all know that it’s an issue, but most of us don’t really know what plastic is. The global campaign to gain control of plastic waste is one of the fastest-growing environmental causes ever mounted. Join a beach or river cleanup. Chemicals in plastic which give them their rigidity or flexibility (flame … After all it's something most of us use every day. Learning Objectives 1. Without knowing where plastic comes from, it’s difficult to understand why it presents such a large problem. All you need to do is Google “plastic killing animals” to see the physical damage … Image credit: Øyvind Holmstad via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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