essay on ways to handle plastic pollution.
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Answer:
For some time now, we have been made aware of the shocking problem of plastic pollution. In recent years, consumers and companies have been working to solve the issue and create more sustainable solutions and adopt sustainable behaviours. 2020 was severely disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis, which has had untold negative effects with lives being lost, healthcare systems under immense pressure and it has caused profound economic shock. What’s more, the focus on sanitary care has resulted in an increase in single-use plastic including food and e-commerce packaging coupled with the rise in protective gear.
the focus on sanitary care [with COVID-19] has resulted in an increase in single-use plastic including food and e-commerce packaging coupled with the rise in protective gear.
Whilst plastic is a hygienic, useful and malleable material, it pollutes our oceans, landfills and the environment. So what’s the solution? We must transition to models that are Circular, Lean, Inclusive and Clean – we call this the CLIC economy and we outline below 5 ways we can continue to tackle plastic pollution.
1. Biodegradable plastic
Most of the everyday plastic we use has several layers, making it complicated to recycle, if not impossible. Companies have come up with solutions to transition to biodegradable plastic using starch, sugar cane or other plant-based material. Yet even biodegradable plastic requires specific conditions to degrade.
Scottish firm Vegware understands that. Its solution offers plant-based compostable foodservice packaging as well as ensuring appropriate waste facilities are available to compost and recycle their materials. Vegware is the fastest growing export company selling sustainable, recyclable, compostable products for food and drinks.
2. Managing waste from the bottom up
“Eight million metric tons of plastic dumped in ocean every year”, warned National Geographic in 2015. Yet, plastic is here to stay and finding solutions to effectively collect it and recycle is vital. Governments must adopt public policies to provide affordable and easy solutions for consumers and manufacturers to recycle. It’s also key that investments are made to improve and increase recycling plants. If we improve the way we recycle, we can effectively segregate and collect waste, resulting in drastically reducing the amount of plastic ending up in landfills and in the environment.
3. Cleaning-up our oceans
Have you heard of the interceptor? It is the Ocean Cleanup’s answer to preventing new plastic entering our oceans. This autonomous catamaran relies on natural forces to extract debris through rivers. With its long floating barrier and conveyor belt system, it guides trash into its opening. Relying 100 % on solar power, the shuttle is connected and uses smart software to distribute the waste. The company’s research shows that most of the plastic found in oceans every day started off in rivers. And according to this research, 1000 rivers are responsible for roughly 80% of worldwide pollution. They project to be able to remove 90% of ocean plastic by 20401.
The Ocean Cleanup projects to be able to remove 90% of ocean plastic by 2040.
4. Smart packaging
Another way to fight plastic pollution is through technology. Around 80 million tonnes of plastic packaging is produced annually and this is expected to triple by 20502. Smart packaging can enhance the productivity of plastic. CupClub uses tracking devices to reduce single-use plastic packaging. With an RFID3 chip built into every cup, the packing is not abandoned and is properly recycled. The cups are also 100% sustainable.
Smart packaging can enhance the productivity of plastic.
5. A sustainable fashion industry
What is the environmental cost of your wardrobe? The fashion industry accounts for 10% of all of humanity’s carbon emissions - more than “all international flights and maritime shipping combined”4.Yet, brands are setting new trends. From Patagonia to Nike, some brands are cutting their plastic consumption by integrating recycled plastics into their lines. This July 2020, Nike is unveiling its latest innovation, the Space Hippie, a pair of trainers with the brand’s lowest carbon footprint ever. 85–90% of the yarn comes from recycled content, including plastic bottles, t-shirts and post-industrial scraps. Also, Spanish brand Ecoalf has been transforming waste into fashion products since 2009. Thanks to their initiative, they’ve removed 500 tonnes of waste from the bottom of the ocean.
Answer:
Plastic Pollution
Plastics are things or objects made of organic polymers or synthetic compounds. Plastic was seen as a boon because it is easily available, cheap, and can be used to manufacture things of all shapes and sizes. But the overuse of plastic has led to pollution of enormous proportion with many harmful consequences.
Effects
Plastic products are not bio-degradable and can remain unchanged for many years. Durability is a property we want in the products that we use. But the durability of plastic resulted in the piling of plastic trashes in the form of plastic bags, plastic water bottles, and other plastic containers.
Plastics are a health hazard. Exposure to toxic chemicals emitted by plastics causes cancer, weakens the immune system, and is responsible for many other diseases.
Plastic garbage has created an unhygienic condition in our environment. Disposable of plastic litter has become a major difficulty in our towns and cities.
Since it is not biodegradable, plastics adversely affect the fertility and the quality of the soil.
Freshwater sources like rivers and lakes are becoming dumpsters for plastic bags.
Plastic wastes, especially plastic bags find their way into rivers and oceans. They are swallowed by fish, seabirds, and other marine creatures leading to death by suffocation.
Plastic bags, plastic bottles, and other discarded plastic products do not degrade. They accumulate in drainage systems and block the flow of water causing waterlogging.
Plastic is often disposed of by burning and this releases poisonous gases into the atmosphere. This pollutes the air that we breathe and escalates global warming.
Prevention
To prevent plastic pollution, the reduction of the use of plastic products is the first step. If the demand is less, production will decrease. Say "No" to plastic bags. Refuse any plastic bags from shop owners when shopping. Carry your shopping bag.
Carefully separate plastic waste from other garbage for recycling.
Stop buying plastic products. Replace plastic bags with bags made of biodegradable materials like cotton and jute and recycled paper bags.
Stop burning plastic as a means of waste disposal. The toxic gases released pollute the air we breathe. It increases global warming.
Educate other people about the dangers of plastic products and how to reduce plastic pollution.
Don't buy bottled water. Always carry your non-plastic water bottle.
Everyone must participate in the movement to clean up land and water from plastic wastes.
Selie Visa