Everybody has encountered plastic debris at some point. Our streets, our homes, and our oceans are all home to it. Plastic pollution is now a worldwide problem that requires immediate attention. For projects of all sizes, commercial skip hire hassle-free disposal and effective waste management solutions for businesses. Plastic usage is still rising in the majority of countries despite modest progress over the past few decades in attempts to cut back on its use and alter how it is disposed of after it is abandoned. This indicates that the plastic issue is a serious environmental hazard, and further action is required.
There Is Plastic Everywhere
Plastic is found everywhere, from the Philippines to the Arctic. It can be anything from single-use products like garbage bags and water bottles to synthetic fishing nets. Five million cargo containers would be filled if all of the plastic debris in the water were gathered. In other words, if the ocean were laid end to end, the amount of plastic would cover 30,000 kilometres (18,640 miles). Furthermore, plastic just disintegrates over time into ever-tinier fragments, producing what is referred to as micro- or Nano plastics because it is not biodegradable at all.
The Issue Of Ocean Plastic Pollution
Between 4 and 12 million metric tonnes of plastic enter the ocean annually due to soaring plastic production, insufficient recycling rates, and inadequate waste management—enough to cover the whole planet’s shoreline! In the following 20 years, the sum is expected to quadruple.
Sea turtles, whales, seabirds, fish, coral reefs, and innumerable other marine species and habitats are all impacted by plastic pollution in the ocean. According to studies, almost all seabirds and over half of all sea turtles have consumed plastic at some point in their lives.
Effects Of Plastic Pollution
Human health as well as wildlife and habitat may be negatively impacted by this pollution, which can also have negative consequences on the land and rivers.
- In terms of the environment, this plastic waste is a polluter of chemicals in several ways. They include substances that, when consumed, can chemically transmit to living things. Some of these compounds can build up in the body and have the potential to be harmful.
- Animals being trapped in nets or other huge debris is the most obvious consequence of plastic pollution. It is a major cause of death for birds, turtles, and marine mammals.
- On people: Plastics may be detrimental to human health due to the chemical additives employed in their manufacture.
We should make every effort to prevent as much plastic from entering the trash stream in the first place, considering all of these risks. The good news? You can make a significant difference in a lot of little ways.
Get Off Single-Use Plastics First
Straws, coffee cup lids, plastic wraps, shopping bags, and disposable cutlery account for half the worldwide plastic production, which is utilised for single-use items that are then discarded. Make a note of how frequently you use single-use plastics and switch to reusable ones. Before it becomes second nature, you just need to carry your own totes to the convenience store, a clothes bag to the laundry cleaner, office cutlery, or a coffee shop mug a few times.
Better Reuse
Another strategy to lessen plastic pollution is to improve recycling. Recycling plastic garbage lowers the quantity of plastic waste in the environment since it may frequently be recycled and used again to create new items.
Plastic recycling has its own problems. Although it is technically possible to recycle almost any sort of plastic, doing so is occasionally neither feasible nor economical. The sorts of plastic that may or cannot be recycled might vary greatly depending on wherever a person lives.
Give Up Purchasing Bottled Water
Nearly 20 billion containers of plastic are thrown in the garbage every year. In addition to saving your pocketbook and plastic by keeping a reusable bottle in your backpack, going with tap water might be a safer option.
Avoid Using Micro Beads
Despite their seemingly innocuous appearance, the tiny plastic scrubbers discovered in a lot of beauty products, such as body washes, toothpaste, and facial scrubs, can get past water treatment facilities because of their small size. Unfortunately, some marine species mistake them for food. Instead, use products that contain natural exfoliates, such as salt or oatmeal.
Take Part In (Or Lead) A River Or Beach Cleanup
By taking part in or planning a beach or waterway cleanup in your community, you can help remove plastics ever the ocean and stop them from ever getting there. One of the simplest and most effective strategies to combat ocean plastic waste is this. You can easily gather plastic debris at the beach or waterway by yourself, with friends, or with family.
Final Words:
Since plastic permeates all facets of our lives, adopting a lower-plastic lifestyle can be daunting. But like any habit that benefits the ocean, we may start small and work our way up to more significant improvements. Don’t forget to prioritise progress over perfection.
