Plastic is Cheap at the Point of Sale,
But Costly to the Environment.
International Plastic Free Day is observed on May 25 every year. The observation aims to raise awareness about pollution caused by plastic and encourage people to give up single-use plastic. Plastic is harmful primarily due to its non-biodegradable nature and its widespread pollution of ecosystems. ~11 million tons of plastic is dumped into the oceans. They are mistaken as food by animals and enter the digestive system. Microplastics have been found in 100% of marine turtles and over 90% of seabirds. Research into plastic degradation is a rapidly growing field aiming to tackle the global plastic pollution crisis. Scientists are exploring biological, chemical, and physical methods to break down or repurpose plastic waste. The challenges remain: Scalability and cost. Success in the laboratory does not always translate to real-world, large-scale waste systems. Next time you go shopping and pick up something, resist the temptation of picking up a plastic bag. Yes, they are cheap and possibly convenient too. But what happens to them after your use is what creates the problem. Together, we can turn the tide on plastic pollution. Let us make every day a plastic-free day.
Plastic Pollution is a Killer.
It Kills Animals in the Sea and birds in the Air,
and It is Making Its Way Into the Food We Eat.
Sylvia Earle (Marine Biologist)
International Plastic Free Day is observed on May 25 every year. The observation aims to raise awareness about pollution caused by plastic and encourage people to give up single-use plastic. Plastic is a synthetic material made from polymers, typically derived from crude oil and natural gas. The word “plastic” comes from the Greek plastikos, meaning “capable of being shaped or moulded.” Plastics are used across nearly all industries due to their durability, lightweight, and low cost. Packaging, construction, and healthcare (syringes, gloves) dominate the use of plastic. Despite its usefulness, plastic has created serious environmental challenges. Plastic is harmful primarily due to its non-biodegradable nature, toxic production and degradation processes, and its widespread pollution of ecosystems. Less than 9% of all plastic gets recycled.
Plastic is a Substance the Earth Cannot Digest.
Dianna Cohen, Plastic Pollution Coalition
About 11 million tons of plastic is dumped into the oceans. They are mistaken as food by animals and enter the digestive system. Microplastics have been found in the guts of over 700 marine species, in 100% of marine turtles and over 90% of seabirds. It is also found in human blood, lungs, placenta, and breast milk.
As of the latest available data, China is the world’s largest producer of plastic, accounting for ~ 33% of global plastic production, with ~20% coming from the United States. Plastic items are cheap due to economic, technological, and material properties. Most plastics are derived from petrochemicals – oil and natural gas refining by-products. They are often considered “waste” oil refining products, so their use in plastic production is cost-effective.
Planet or Plastic? The Choice is Ours.
National Geographic
Research into plastic degradation is a rapidly growing field aiming to tackle the global plastic pollution crisis. Scientists are exploring biological, chemical, and physical methods to break down or repurpose plastic waste. Scientists are modifying enzymes to speed up plastic degradation under mild conditions. The challenges remain: scalability and cost. Success in the laboratory does not always translate to real-world, large-scale waste systems. Enzymes and advanced recycling are still more expensive than conventional methods.
Plastic Waste Causes Pollution
at Every Step of Its Journey
and Does Not Disappear With Time.
Next time you go shopping and pick up something, resist the temptation of picking up a plastic bag. Yes, it is a cheap and possibly convenient option, too. Since it is an economical option, the seller generously pushes you to take the plastic bags. But what happens to them after your use is what creates the problem. In some societies, you have to pay more if you want to buy a plastic bag. Revert to what people used to do earlier: carry your cloth bag. It gives employment to many small-scale industries in villages.
Together, we can turn the tide on plastic pollution.
Let us make every day a plastic-free day.
Another Observation: “Plastic Bag Free Day”, observed on July 3 each year, is another attempt to enhance awareness.
Toon: Reema
Log: M Sai Baba
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