Moving Beyond Single-use Plastics
By Audrey M.
Plastic pollution is one of the most important environmental problems that we face today. It impacts the environment and our health and wellbeing. We have all contributed to this problem – mostly unknowingly – and we must work to reduce and ultimately to end plastic pollution.
THE PROS OF PLASTIC
The history of plastic dates back to 1862. Before the invention of plastic, the only substances that could be molded were clays (pottery) and glass. Some natural substances, like tree gums and rubber, were sticky and moldable. Plastics have helped solve many problems, including the development of computers, cell phones, and modern medicine. Plastics are in products that help keep us safe, such as bicycle helmets, child safety seats, and automotive airbags. Plastics help keep the foods we eat and serve to our families safer and fresher than ever before.
THE CONS OF PLASTIC
The main problem with plastic is that it doesn’t break down quickly and accumulates in the environment. It can take up to 1,000 years for plastic to decompose in landfills. When plastic breaks down, it creates microscopic particles that pollute the ocean, air, and ecosystems. These particles can be ingested by humans and marine wildlife. We don’t know all of the negative consequences yet. Scientists first became aware of the problem of plastic pollution in the ocean in the 1950s. Most of the plastic pollution in the ocean comes from household and commercial waste. This waste blows from waste bins and landfill sites into rivers or sewers, then flows out into the sea. Every day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans, rivers, and lakes. Plastic pollution is a global problem. Every year 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste leaks into aquatic ecosystems, polluting lakes, rivers and seas.
HOW PLASTIC AFFECTS HUMAN HEALTH
Plastic spreads toxins. The toxins plastic spreads are very dangerous to animals and humans. The toxins that plastics spread are called PCBs which stand for polychlorinated biphenyls. Another one they spread is called dioxins. dioxins are very bad for our body. They can cause cancer, reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system and can interfere with hormones. People can consume dioxins by eating animal products contaminated in these chemicals.
Microplastics are created from bigger pieces of plastics being broken down. Microplastics are harmful because they pollute the environment, they can absorb undesirable chemicals and they can stimulate the release of endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that can interfere with the endocrine system, which is the body’s hormonal system. In March 2022, Microplastic pollution was detected in human blood for the first time, with scientists finding the tiny particles in almost 80% of the people tested.The discovery shows the particles can travel around the body and may lodge in organs. All long term health impacts are unknown at this time.
HOW PLASTIC AFFECTS WILDLIFE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Plastic is very bad for wildlife. It can do a lot to wildlife. Animals can get entangled in plastic which can stop them from moving around to hunt for food. Plastic also makes animals more vulnerable to predators.
Plastic kills ocean life. Here are some ways that plastic kills ocean life. Animals can get entangled in plastic which makes it difficult for them to breathe and they become more vulnerable to predators. Animals sometimes think that plastic is food and they will ingest it and it harms them. This is probably the biggest problem that plastic has caused. At least 14 million tons of plastic are found in the ocean every year. Plastic also makes up about 80% of all marine debris found from the surface of the water to deep sea-sediments.
Plastic doesn’t decompose. Plastic doesn’t decompose because most bacteria cannot break it down. It’s harmful to the environment because plastic releases toxic chemicals and plastic is most likely to get into the ocean.
The chemicals in plastic contribute to climate change. Plastics are environmentally costly to make and dispose of. Plastic produces chemical pollution. Plastic can release harmful chemicals into the surrounding soil which then can seep into water sources around it and also the ecosystem. Chemical pollution is bad because it can affect the delicate balance of the Earth’s ecosystem.
THE SOLUTIONS
Below are simple ways you can contribute to reducing plastic usage right now, today in fact!
Stop buying plastic water bottles. About 70% of plastic water bottles bought in the United States are not recycled, which means the majority end up in landfills or in the oceans, harming the ecosystem and poisoning animals. You can buy a water filter to help! Not only does the water filter help prevent water bottles from getting into the environment it also helps you from being exposed to more plastic!
Recycle properly. This means you need to wash out and dry your recyclables. It is very important to recycle properly because it can help reduce your carbon footprint, it helps reduce the need for harvesting raw materials, saves energy, reduces greenhouse gasses and prevents pollution. If you don’t recycle properly more waste would be sent to landfills so you really have to make sure you recycle properly.
Donate plastic toys. Donating plastic toys can help reduce waste and conserve raw materials. It’s also good to donate plastic toys so they don’t end up in landfills. About 27 million tons of plastic end up in landfills.
Use reusable cups. Reusable cups are better for the environment than disposable cups. Disposable cups contribute to waste and pollution while reusable cups have a lower impact on the environment.
Participate in a beach cleanup. Even doing a cleanup for an hour a month will help so much. Doing a cleanup improves the coastal and ocean ecosystem by ensuring that none of the trash kills marine life or is toxic enough to disrupt the aquatic life cycle. It is also great for you. Clean beaches are much more sanitary and better for your health!
Use reusable tote bags when doing your grocery or other shopping. Eliminating plastic bags in the United States could have several positive effects, including: reducing trash pollution and energy consumption; decreasing the amount of toxic chemicals in water and soil; lessening the U.S.’s dependence on petroleum; allowing stores to lower prices, which could save shoppers $18 to $30 annually; reducing litter and pollution.
COMPANIES THAT ARE DOING THEIR PART
Here are some brands/places that are making efforts towards plastic reduction. We need to show them our support in ending the overuse of plastics.
Grove Collaborative offers many plastic free products. Grove is 100% plastic neutral which means that if you receive any plastic in your order they remove the exact same amount of plastic pollution from nature!
Red Lobster will only offer plastic straws among requests. Red Lobster estimates that this will eliminate about 150 million plastic straws per year!
Brands like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts will take reusable cups. Starbucks offers a 10-cent discount on those who bring their own reusable cups. Dunkin Donuts will charge you for a small coffee even if your cup is a medium size or larger!
Oregon banned single-use plastic bags in January 2020. The ban prohibits stores and restaurants from using single-use plastic bags, instead they must use paper bags or thicker reusable bags for 5 cents each.
To learn more about microplastics and take the University of Florida’s pledge to reduce your contribution to microplastic pollution click here.
In conclusion, we can handle this problem by making small changes individually which will add up to big changes in the world!
