BEAT PLASTIC POLLUTION: THE UNRULY EFFECT ON OUR ENVIRONMENT #WED2018INDIA
05:16
If you can't Reuse it, Refuse it.......
The earlier we realize that we owe the natural environment a
responsibility, the lesser the number of future environmental hazards that
would be recorded.
Plastic Pollution is the pileup of plastic products in the environment (land and water) that endangers living habitats both on land and in water.(Peace Aghedo. N, 2018).
The fact that such an enormous threat to our place of
rest(environment) emanates from our daily purchase, makes me extra cautious of
my every action.
As humans, we must ensure that our actions are Eco-friendly.
Around the world, 1 million plastic drinking bottles
are purchased every minute. About 5 trillion disposable plastic bags are used
every year; and 50% of these plastic we use is single use( just once). Though it has served for good purposes, but we can’t continue
to turn away from the fact that the overuse of plastic has caused our
environment more harm than good. If we don’t have a change of attitude today,
by 2050 we would have more plastic in our oceans than fishes!
Did you know that one in every three leatherback sea turtles have plastic in their stomachs?
Plastics are Non degradable
The chemical composition (petroleum-based) of most plastics
make them resistant to many natural processes of degradation, hence they
degrade slow.
Ideally, in a landfill, it takes plastic items up to
1000 years to decompose. But for those we use every day and litter around, it
takes plastic bags 10-1000 years to decompose, while plastic bottles can take
450 years to decompose.
Plastic Degrades the Environment.
·
Land
As a result of our poor attitude of throwing dirt along our
streets and major roads, plastic bags and bottles are found littering the
environment. They are later swept by wind into our drainage system and then through runoffs, they find their way into our
water bodies.
Also, when plastic is put into landfills, it is acted upon and broken
down by bacteria such as Pseudomonas which releases methane
(Green House Gas) in the process. Green House Gases are detrimental to the human body.
·
Water
Naval and research vessels eject
waste and unwanted military equipment into the ocean. Merchant ships release
cargo, sewage, and used medical equipment into the ocean. Fisher men/pleasure
crafts release fishing gear and other forms of plastic waste into the water
body.
Also, through water runoff, plastic
litters find their way into our water bodies, endangering the lives of our
aquatic animals.
·
Air
When plastic is burnt along side
refuse, it infuses the air with very toxic fumes containing dioxins, carbon
dioxide, etc. When inhaled can cause harm to the human respiratory system.
Plastic kills animals
Animals such as dolphins, turtles, penguins, whales are
killed every year due to these plastics. They ingest these plastics, mistaking
them for food, it blocks their digestive tract, causing them to starve to
death.
HOW CAN WE MINIMIZE THESE RISKS?
Environmental threats of such nature can not be eradicated in one attempt, but can be minimized.
Petroleum is a major composition of plastic products; It is basically one of the most important and widely used natural resource in the world. Hence, it's supply to plastic f actories cannot be restricted or minimized.
While the government is pondering on ways to reduce the
deteriorating effect of plastic bags on the environment; you and I have an equally shared responsibility :-
1.
Business owners
Plastics are mostly gotten from business places. Hence
businesses should replace their common plastic products with biodegradable or compostable items which
can decompose within 90 days.
For instance;
·
Food
suppliers should use paper packaging rather than plastic packaging.
·
Use
stainless cutlery instead of plastic disposable cutleries.
2.
Consumers
Without a doubt, Plastic bags and bottles have made our lives
easier, but the quest to save our planet demands a change.
Instead of plastic bags, while not get yourself a shopping
bag, drop it with the cashier, when you are done shopping, put your purchase
into it.
Clean and Reuse old plastic bags/bottles instead of
purchasing a new man each time you need to carry something.
3.
Naval/Merchant ship operators
Wait till you get on land to safely dispose your
waste/sewage in the appropriate designated areas.
If you can't Reuse it, Refuse it.......
Iam_peaceaghedo.......................................writing is my passion.
Iam_peaceaghedo.......................................writing is my passion.
2 comments
I think the best way is to regulate the rate of plastic production and optimize reuse of waste plastic by plastic production companies....
ReplyDeleteWell said and written, I hope the world makes a change on this one, nice write up.
ReplyDelete