There is no better way to describe single-use plastics than “our plastic problem”. Plastic bottles, bags, or straws that are designed specially for one-time usage and then disposed of are impacting the environment negatively. Only a tiny amount of plastic is recycled, while the rest of it ends up in landfills, that too in the best-case scenario. In the worst-case scenario, such plastic stuff is just littering the streets and lands or even filling up the oceans and lakes.
Sadly, plastics accumulate quickly within the environment, and they do so in a much faster way than they can decompose. Plastics have the ability to stay in the environment for centuries because their durability makes it almost impossible for nature to break them down entirely. Here is how single-use plastics impact the environment.
It is a well-known fact that countless animals are killed every year by plastics. Turtles, seabirds, fish and marine mammals have plastic bags and fishing tackle in their stomachs. Additionally, about 700 species, including endangered ones, are affected negatively by plastics. The animals die due to entanglement and starvation. It is considered that more than 100 types of water have microplastics.
Plastics can infiltrate organs while also blocking the digestive tract, leading to death. Animals that have plastic in their stomach have no urge to eat, which leads to starvation. Few of the animals mistake plastic bags for food. This is especially common with marine animals. So, it is recommended to go plastic-free.
Once the disposable plastics are decomposed in the environment, they give out some greenhouse gases. When the plastic is revealed to direct sunlight, it generates harmful ethylene and methane. Greenhouse gas emissions from the plastic life cycle are known to make up for 3.8% of the greenhouse emissions in the world. Once the plastic decomposes, it leaves big amounts of chemicals that badly affect the habitat of animals and plants. During the release, outgassing is harmful and will likely have adverse effects on human health and the environment. This is why waste management is highly important.
Nowadays, everyone is aware that plastic is bad for the environment, but most of them do not know how bad it actually is. Let’s go over a few ways plastic affects the environment:
Firstly, there is one of the most visible issues, i.e. pollution. Plastic is one of the primary contributors to both water and land pollution. If not disposed of adequately, it can make its way to the rivers and oceans, affecting marine life. It might also end up in landfills where the process of decomposition will take centuries. However, some of the waste can certainly be turned into energy.
Next, there is the problem of deforestation. Plastic is made with petroleum. This means that its production will contribute to deforestation. The more plastic people use, the more trees will be cut down.
Human health is affected majorly by single-use plastic. Plastic has hazardous chemicals that may leach into water and food. Such chemicals are often linked with cancer, reproductive issues, and other health problems. So, it is recommended to reduce waste at home.
So, this is how single-use plastics affect the environment. The best choice you have is to just avoid using them. If you have no other option than using it, you must dispose of it properly to ensure the chances of environmental damage are minimised.
