The Problem with Plastics

Take a look around you. How many items are made of plastic? Imagine, you’ve just guzzled the last drops of an ice-cold drink on a scorching hot day. What do you do with the plastic bottle in your hand? Do you toss it into the nearest trash bin? Or do you look for a recycling bin instead?

All over the world, there is an urgency to control the use and disposal of plastics. This is because while plastic can be extremely useful; it is also hazardous to the environment. Plastic is one of the largest contributors to air, land and water pollution, even posing as a lethal threat to wildlife. In fact, the problem of plastic pollution is so dire, it is said to now pollute every corner of the globe.

How Are Plastics Disposed?

To better understand how plastic pollutes the Earth, we should know that plastics are usually disposed in the following ways:

Landfill

One method is to dig a big hole and fill it with rubbish before covering it back up. This is called a landfill. However, unlike food waste, plastics cannot decay or decompose. Even if plastics could be decomposed, it would take up to several centuries! Furthermore, it could also leak pollutants into the soil and water, affecting humans and wildlife.

Burning

Burning is another common method of plastic disposal. However, this contributes to global warming and tonnes of harmful gases such as carbon dioxide are released into the air.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

You may have heard of the famous three Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. There are many campaigns held to create awareness and to encourage the public to adopt such practices. This is called adopting a responsible form of waste management. However, the processes behind recycling can be expensive. Furthermore, recycling does not address the root of the problem – the misuse of plastics and the threats they pose to wildlife and to the environment.

The Impact on Wildlife

Plastic pollution is highly damaging to marine wildlife and habitats. Many animals mistake plastic for food and eat them. For example, sea turtles and birds die from starvation because the plastic they ingest blocks their digestive system. It is estimated that around 400,000 marine animals die every year because of plastic pollution in the oceans.

The Impact on Environment

Researchers have found that there are some chemical substances in plastics that might harm people and the environment. In fact, humans are exposed to chemicals from plastic many times in a day, through our food, drinks, and the products we use.

The Future

Scientists are researching on how to make plastics (such as plastic bags) from plant materials so that they can be decomposed like any other plant or food waste. Such a material is called ‘biodegradable’.

Governments are also encouraging citizens to think about the three Rs – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. In Singapore, the public is constantly encouraged to recycle waste. There are numerous recycling bins placed around the neighbourhoods and in the shopping malls.

It is important to realise that making a change starts with the individual. It can be something as simple as recycling a drink bottle, or bringing your own bag when you go grocery shopping. As we only have one Earth, it is everyone’s responsibility to care for it. So the next time you feel like chucking away that plastic bottle or candy wrapper, think twice. Recycling your items will make a world of difference and help us improve on its toxic footprint!