Plastic Pollution is Piling Up with Detrimental Side Effects

By Kevin R.

 

In the last 15 years, out of the near-century of plastic production and usage, one-half of all plastic generation has occurred. While plastics may be convenient, highly versatile, and cheap, the waste they produce is growing exponentially and is becoming an increasingly large threat to the environment and Earth itself. It’s nearly impossible to not run into plastic throughout a normal day. Could you even list how many plastic items you run into daily?

          Plastics have been mass-produced because of their ability to replace more expensive materials efficiently with low production costs. The amount of plastic generation occurring per year consistently increases, creating larger and larger piles of slowly decomposing plastics in landfills. This especially happens in areas where there are low recycling rates. Without reusing and recycling, plastics end up in said landfills, water streams, ecosystems, and more places where plastics should not be, taking upwards of 50 years to go through the entire photodegradation process. Plastics do not biodegrade; they instead photodegrade, becoming easier to break into ever diminishing pieces. Because it is synthetic and unable to biodegrade and instead only becomes smaller and smaller, plastic never goes away.

The production of plastics is also increasing greatly, without showing signs of stopping soon. According to Laura Parker, a National Geographic article author, “[plastic] production increased exponentially, from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 448 million tons by 2015. Production is expected to double by 2050.” By those statistics, the cumulative amount of plastic produced by 2050 will add up to 179,000,000,000 (179 billion) pounds. That is roughly the same weight as 20 million elephants or eight thousand Eiffel Towers.

It can be hard to comprehend those numbers; what might be easier to understand is the effects they have on the environment, animals, and even humans. An estimated 700 species, including those that are endangered, have been and are being affected by plastic pollutants, including humans, writes Parker. Plastic poses a threat to so many species due to its tendency to end up finding ways to threaten the survival of animals.

Humans and the environment also face the effects of the plastic lifecycle, including production, buildup, and incineration. A Ciel.Org author states, “in 2019, the production and incineration of plastic will add more than 850 million metric tons of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere — equal to the emissions from 189 five-hundred-megawatt coal power plants.” Greenhouse gases are known to harm the environment immensely, such as by crumbling the ozone layer of the atmosphere, causing more exposure to UVB rays, which have a plethora of harmful effects on humans. Additionally, nearly all plastics begin with fossil fuels, which are neither sustainable, renewable, nor safe.

Virtually every part of the Earth is covered with microplastics, a form plastics take on when broken down by wind abrasion, wave action, or ultraviolet light radiation. In humans, inhalation of microplastics can cause multiple adverse health effects, including lung damage, asthma attacks, and potentially — although not directly  — cancer. Scientists believe that each human ingests over 70,000 microplastic particles a year, some even being a result of shedding synthetic fibers in our clothing, and potentially many, up to an additional 90,000 particles yearly, from drinking out of plastic water bottles. Studies have shown that microplastics may serve as irritants, much like fibers of asbestos, a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral that can inflame the lungs and lead to cancer. Microplastics are also thought to assist in exposing the human body to toxic chemicals and microorganisms.

Many ways to combat this plastic pollution predicament have been invented, such as edible cutlery and packaging, an ocean clean-up system, and even pills containing toothpaste to get rid of the need for plastic toothpaste tubing. There are many ways in which we as humans, both individually and collectively, can help.  Recycling is crucial in solving the current plastic problem, as it prevents pollution, saves energy and money, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and allows for plastics to be utilized to the fullest extent. Although most understand that many plastics are meant to be recycled, humans have never even come close to properly disposing of all plastics. On average, only 14% of all “recyclable” plastic packaging is properly recycled.

Noticing and understanding the chasing arrows symbol commonly located on the bottom of plastic containers helps tremendously with recycling endeavors. Nearly all roadside recycling companies accept number one plastics, also known as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Number two (HDPE) and five (PP) plastics are also typically recyclable, although it is best to check with your local recycling company to verify. Number seven plastic can be tricky because it is the “other” category, however, the most common plastic type used in this category is polycarbonate. Luckily, polycarbonate usage has decreased due to its relations with bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical shown to be carcinogenic and potentially able to expose the human body to other negative health effects, including high blood pressure and effects on the brain.

Plastic pollution is an issue that needs to be stopped; as it continues to pile up, the consequences will only be felt more intensely by humans, ecosystems, the environment, and the Earth altogether. Being more aware and mindful of your contact with and disposal of plastics is a sure way to at least contribute to the solution of this ever-growing epidemic.