Plastic Waste And Its Challenges

Plastic Waste In The Ocean

Once the plastic comes to the garbage, if it is not disposed of properly, it goes to the drainage and river streams and ends up in the oceans. Eventually due to motion of plastic objects while navigating through river streams, it breaks down in multiple smaller pieces, polluting the environment and making plastic waste easily swallowed by marine animals.

Marine shipping and fishing industries are also responsible for contributing towards plastic waste and pollution. Plastic in the ocean comes from the fishing nets which get accumulated into the ocean.

In this process marine animals ingest the plastic and are exposed to plastic chemicals which affects the biological functioning of their marine animals.

The biggest problem with marine animals is plastic microbeads
Plastic microbeads are commonly found in toiletries such as facial scrubs, toothpastes, and shower gels pose the greatest danger for marine wildlife. Microbeads do not degrade over time and can transport toxic chemicals into marine organisms. As the marine animals ingest the microbeads, these toxic chemicals come into the human body via the food chain.

Plastic Waste On Land

Plastic waste released and dumped into the landfills generally leads to soil pollution. Chemicals are released from the plastic and go into the soil which damages the biological potential of the soil leading to degradation and erosion of the soil.

When the rain comes, toxic chemicals from the plastic waste percolates to the ground water which leads to intoxication of the groundwater. The toxic chemicals go to the agricultural fields as well causing damage to the crops.

Some volatile chemicals go into the air as well causing pollution of the environment leading to release of Greenhouse gases. The toxicity of the air increases thus leaving the area near landfill inhabitable for humans as well as wildlife.

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How To Reduce Plastic Waste

Biodegradable plastics are the plastics which can be broken down into carbon dioxide, water, and minerals through natural processes. Biodegradable plastics are more easily degradable plastics which can be used to minimise the risk associated with plastics. However, this is not enough. Other ways to reduce plastic pollution can be-

• Reducing our plastic consumption, plastic waste recycling and completely avoiding the single use plastic products.

• Switching from plastic materials to paper, cloth or glass as these materials are widely recycled.

• Reducing the consumption of plastic water bottles, plastic bags, and straws can also make a huge difference.

• Robust plastic waste management system must be deployed at grassroots level.

Considering the global scale of plastic pollution, we must recycle, reuse and reduce the usage of plastic. Our attitude and behaviour towards plastic must change to ensure a safe and healthy future for our planet.

Reducing plastic consumption and raising awareness about plastic recycling is crucial if we are to overcome the problem of plastic waste and pollution on our planet.