Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic products in the earth’s environment that greatly affect humans, wildlife, and their habitat.
And as the earth’s population grows, the number of waste the people produce also grows. On the go, lifestyles require easily disposable products such as water bottles, and soda cans. But still, the accumulation of these things increases the amount of plastic around the world.
There is no doubt that plastic is composed of major toxic pollutants, it also has a strong potential to affect the overall environment.
Also, read our latest blog post about Lead Impact on Human Health & Different Ways To Remove It
How Does Plastic Pollution Occur?
Plastic pollution occurs when plastic has gathered in an area and began to negatively impact the natural environment. This results in various health problems for humans, wildlife, and even plants.
In fact, plastic is a really useful material, but since it is made up of toxic compounds that are known to cause illness.
Major Causes of Plastic Pollution
While solving plastic pollution seems to be as easy as just implementing recycling plants or cleaning up water bottles. But in reality, the plastic causing the pollution can range in size from big to microscopic.
Below, we have discussed some of the major causes of water pollution.
Overused:
Since plastic is less expensive, that’s why is the most commonly & overused item around the world. However, rapid urbanization and population growth also increase the demand for plastic.
As we mentioned, it is really affordable & durable, that’s why it is being utilised in every possible way from water bottles to packaging grocery items, carry bags and many more.
Due to its affordable price, we have a disposable mentality. People don’t value them to hang on to individual items. And when disposed of, it doesn’t decompose easily and pollutes both land & air, when it is burned openly.
Fishing Nets:
Commercial fishing is an economic necessity and a huge amount of people eat fish for their daily survival. Although, this industry has helped in contributing to the problem of plastic pollution in the oceans.
Disposing of Garbage:
This is one of the major causes of plastic pollution. Because the disposal of garbage is often mismanaged, it ends up in landfills. Although this may seem a bit confusing, the truth is plastic is meant to last and it is nearly impossible to break it down.
Moreover, burning plastic is highly toxic and can result in really harmful atmospheric conditions. Therefore, if the plastic is in the landfill, it will never stop releasing toxins.
Nature:
Nature is also a cause of plastic pollution. Sometimes garbage is transported through the wind. Garbage including plastic which is light in weight gets blown away in gentle winds and then carried away by rains in streams, rivers, and then into oceans.
Moreover, natural disasters like floods can also be a cause of plastic pollution.
Effects of Plastic Pollution on the Environment:
We all know that plastic pollution is one of the most significant environmental problems we face today. But what exactly are the effects of plastic pollution on our environment?
For starters, when plastic pollution finds its way into the ocean, it can have devastating consequences for marine life. Plastic pollution can cause entanglement and ingestion, leading to suffocation, starvation, and death.
In addition, plastic pollution can act as a carrier for other pollutants, such as heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
These pollutants can build up in the bodies of marine animals, and eventually, make their way into the human food chain.
Plastic waste in landfills can release methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere.
Solutions To Reduce Plastic Pollution:
As the world becomes more and more industrialized, the problem of plastic pollution grows exponentially. Plastic is a versatile and affordable material that is used in many industries, from packaging to construction.
Plastic pollution can be found in our oceans, on our beaches, and in our landfills.
There are many ways to reduce plastic pollution. One way is to reduce the amount of plastic that is produced. This can be done by recycling and reusing plastic products. Another way to reduce plastic pollution is to properly dispose of plastic products. This can be done by recycling or by incinerating plastic waste.
We can also reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in our oceans. This can be done by properly disposing of plastic waste and by reducing our reliance on single-use plastic products. We can also help to clean up the oceans by participating in beach cleanups and by avoiding activities that pollute the oceans, such as oil drilling and shipbuilding.
Here are some things you can do to help reduce plastic pollution:
1. Bring your own bags to the store.
2. Say no to straws.
3. Bring a reusable water bottle with you wherever you go.
4. Avoid products that come packaged in plastic.
5. Recycle the plastic you do use.
6. Support companies that are working to reduce their plastic footprint.
7. Educate others about the problem of plastic pollution and how they can help make a difference.
8. Keep environmental friendly in mind and use as less plastic as possible. Frizzlife has a core concept which is "green-way". Different from other water filters which throw away the whole plastic cartridge when you do the replacement, the green way frizzlife water filters only requires you to change the inner filter and reuse the outer case of the system.
Together, we can make a difference in the fight against plastic pollution.
Final Words:
In the past few decades, the pollution caused by plastic has become a global crisis. Every year, we produce over 300 million tons of plastic, and a large portion of that ends up in our oceans. This has devastating effects on marine life, as well as on the people who depend on the ocean for their livelihood.
Now, after years of campaigning by environmentalists, the UN has finally issued a report that recognizes the seriousness of the problem and calls for action.
The report calls for a ban on certain types of plastic, such as microbeads, and for a reduction in the use of others. It also calls for better waste management, so that plastic doesn't end up in the ocean in the first place.
This is a welcome step, but it's only a first step. The UN report is non-binding, so it's up to individual countries to decide whether or not to act on its recommendations. And even if they do, the damage that's already been done will take years to undo.
So while the UN's report is a step in the right direction, it's only a small one. We need to do much more if we're going to solve the plastic pollution crisis.