By Abubakar Aliyu G.
Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic products in the environment that adversely affects wildlife habitats and humans. These plastic are categorised into micro, meso, and macro plastics we shall discuss on micro-plastics in the future. Plastic pollution can affect waterways and oceans as well as marine animals .
Due to their durability and inexpensive nature, plastics are used mostly and widely as containers of different forms of products, but these benefit comes at the expense of the environment either terrestrial or aquatic environment. Where ever these plastics are disposed into, they are very difficult to biodegrade and in the long run cause harm to the environment.
How does these plastic affect the environement?
Environmentally, plastic is a growing disaster.The manufacturing of plastics as well as its destruction by incineration pollutes our land and water and exposes workers to toxic chemicals including carcinogens.
Plastic packaging especially the ubiquitous plastic bags is a significant source of landfill waste and is regularly eaten by numerous marine and land animals. Synthetic plastic does not biodegrade it accumulates in the landfills and pollutes the environment.
It is a world free from moth and rust and full of colour, a world largely built up of synthetic materials made from the most universally distributed substance, a world in which nations are more and more independent of localised naturalised resources, a world in which man , like a magician makes what he wants for almost every need out of what is beneath and around him.(yesley and couzen 1945 p. 152)The durability of plastics and their potential for diverse applications including widespread used as disposable items were anticipated, but the problem associated with waste management and plastic debris were not. Infact the the predictions were "how much brigther and cleaner a world it would be than that which preceeded this plastic age" (yesley and couzen 1945 p.152)
EFFECTS OF PLASTIC POLLUTION
IT UPSETS THE FOODCHAIN :Accumulation and injestion of micro-plastic in oceans and waterways kills the available planktons which serves as primary producers in aquatic foodchains.When these planktons take in these microplastics, it results in them dying and in the process destroying the aquatic foodcahin.
LAND POLLUTION:This is the most obvious and common effects of the plastic pollution as we daily dispose these plastic materials into our environemt as a result it makes a nuisance of our environment.
AIR POLLUTION: This is the most dangerous aspect of plastic pollution. Most of the plastic that are disposed into the waste streams either industrial or domestic waste streams are combusted and in return toxic chemicals are emitted into the atmosphere which results in the contamination of atmospheric air making it toxic to human and animal life.
IT IS POISONOUS TO OUR HEALTH: Burning of plastics materials and its overall presence in the environment has an impact on our health. When these plastic materials are cumbusted they release gases that are poisonous to our our health.
SOLUTIONS
AVOID BOTTLED WATER AND DRINKS: The best and most sustainable way to stop plastic pollution is by introduction of pipe-borne portable water which is fit for drinking, as most plastics that pollute our environment come from bottled water and drinks. Lets join hands together and say no plastic bottles.
USE PAPER BOTTLES AND BAGS : The introduction of paper bottles and paper bags will go a long way in solving our plastic problems, these are more sustainable means of bringing the plastic age to an end and along saving our environment.
RECYCLING USED PLASTICS: Instead of after use disposal and combustion of these plastics, recycling can reduce the threat posed by these plastics into our environment and health as well as general well-being.
Do you think we can save our planet from plastic pollution ?
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