Plastic Crisis - Causes, Effects, and Preventions

Introduction

Plastic waste pollution is a severe threat to the earth affecting health, the environment, and marine life. Unnecessary use of plastic and improper waste management system is one the primary reasons the plastic crisis has become an alarming global issue. Research shows that plastic waste is thrown into the oceans every year. We use almost one million plastic bottles every single minute. The concern is that only 9 % of plastic waste is recycled, and the remaining is still found polluting the environment or dumping into soil or water. Despite this, the plastic production rate in the world is also increasing at a faster pace with growing demands.

What Is Plastic Crisis?

Almost every year, 14 million tons of plastic waste are found in oceans. This plastic crisis is the biggest challenge for planet earth. Plastic pollution is mainly caused because plastic is a non-biodegradable material that does not get dissolved or decomposed in soil or water, thus damaging life on land and underwater.

What Is the Composition and Types of Plastic Used?

Plastic is fabricated through polymerization and polycondensation processes and is made from coal, natural gas, cellulose, crude oil, etc.

They are of various types, such as:

• PET - (Polyethylene Terephthalate) - It is the world’s highly recyclable plastic used to make PET bottles.

• HDPE - (High-Density Polyethylene) - Plastic polymer that can be recycled easily and used to make recycling bins, shopping bags, etc.

• LDPE - (Low-Density Polyethylene) - It is not recycled because of its complexity and is used to make plastic bags, plastic bottles, and bins.

• PVC - (Polyvinyl Chloride) - Non-recyclable plastics used in doors, windows, pipes, etc.

• PP- (Polypropylene) - It can be recycled but shows resistance to chemical solutions. They are used in diapers, car parts, etc.

• PS - (Polystyrene) - It is the most non-biodegradable plastic available and is also used to heat food in microwaves.

What Are the Causes of Plastic Pollution or Crisis?

• Plastic is used for many purposes in our daily life, and the garbage generated from it is either thrown away or washed out, causing pollution.

• The overuse of plastic with the growing population has reached alarming levels. It is the cheapest and most durable material available worldwide and is used to solve various purposes. So, the waste generated is equally high that pollutes the environment.

• Plastic is a non-biodegradable material that does not decompose quickly, and it takes almost 400 to 500 years to decompose completely.

• Commercial fishing nets in different parts of the world are made of plastic, cause toxicity in the oceans if left for long hours of fishing, and also get lost in the process polluting the water and marine life.

• Garbage and plastic waste are not disposed of or managed adequately, causing pollution. But also, burning plastic can be more damaging to the environment releasing toxicity in the air.

What Are the Effects of Plastic Crisis?

• Effects on Human Health - Using plastic disposables for eating purposes, we consume microplastic, which has chemicals added to it, causing severe health issues like infertility, cancer, and some neurodevelopmental disorders in children like autism and ADHD (Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder).

• Effects on Animal Life - Many wildlife animals are affected by plastic pollution by ingesting them, which blocks their digestive tract and causes death.

• Land Pollution - Plastic littering on the earth's surface without proper management does not decompose for many years and releases harmful toxins in the land soil, which enters the food chain and harms the health of plants and animals.

• Water Pollution - Waste plastic garbage is intentionally thrown away in the seas and oceans. For example, polythene bags at the seashore get washed away by tides and pollute the oceans. This plastic also affects marine life.

• Air Pollution - Plastic is also discarded by burning, which releases toxic gasses in the air like mercury, furans, and polychlorinated biphenyls (BCPs) and causes a severe threat to wildlife, vegetation, and human health.

What Are the Preventive Measures and Solutions to the Plastic Crisis?

• Plastic-Free Shopping - We use plastic daily, disposed of after single-use, like shopping bags and buying groceries in polythene bags. These plastics can be replaced by using jute bags or reusable bags instead.

• Quit Bottled Water - Millions of plastic bottles are found in garbage dumps and oceans after use which can be replaced with carrying your reusable bottle for drinking water.

• Food Packaging and Disposals - Using disposables for eating and drinking is another major issue causing the plastic crisis. Food packaging material made up of plastic is another significant example of the unnecessary use of plastic that can be prevented.

• Plastic Recycling - Recycling the waste plastic material into valuable products to reduce plastic pollution is the best way to prevent the plastic crisis. It can be done manually or automatically by sorting plastic from the waste stream or melting it into new plastic.

• Waste Management - Household waste must be segregated from plastic waste to avoid mixing the garbage so that plastic can be disposed of quickly when dumped for decomposition. Also, 3Rs must be followed: reduce, reuse, and recycle.

• Educate People - Elementary and high school students must be educated about health crises due to plastic pollution and how they can do their bit to overcome this global issue. Also, people should be aware of the rising concern about plastic to motivate them to opt for health solutions and help minimize the risk.

What Are the Sustainable Alternatives for Plastic?

• Stainless steel.

• Glass.

• Wood.

• Natural fiber.

• Paper.

• Cardboard.

Conclusion

Plastic not only pollutes the environment but also has some severe health issues associated with it. Various efforts are made worldwide to limit its usage and how plastic can be recycled. In addition, many organizations are working to make people aware of the consequences of plastic toxicity. Therefore, it is not one person's responsibility to save the planet, but a joint effort can make a difference. Saying no to plastic and choosing innovative ways for daily habits is everyone's duty and responsibility to fight back against the plastic crisis.