The Issue of Plastic Pollution

Christopher Moore

Overview & Plastic’s Effects on Humans:

The effects of plastic pollution are numerous and far-reaching.

 

Plastic waste can be found everywhere, from our oceans to the very food we eat. According to researchers from the University of Minnesota and the State University of New York, the average human consumes between 3,000 and 4,000 microparticles of plastic from tap water each year. And we consume even more plastic from the food we eat.

 

What’s the harm of a little plastic you may ask? While much is still unknown about the effects plastic has on humans, researchers have discovered that several of the chemicals that comprise plastics such as BRA and PBDE are hazardous to our endocrine systems. Measurable exposure to these chemicals has been correlated to problems with our metabolism, growth rates, and reproductive fitness.

Effects on Animals:

Humans aren’t the only ones affected by plastic; animals are too.

 

According to the Sea Turtle Conservancy, over a million marine animals die each year from plastic pollution in the oceans. These marine animals and other animals on land die either from being entangled in plastic waste or from ingesting plastic waste.

 

Take a moment to imagine a restaurant called Oceanville. The waiter seats you at your table and hands you the menu. Looking for something tasty you open the menu to discover an unusual selection of dishes. The appetizers: brown plastic chips, white plastic noodles, and blue plastic berries. The entrees: fisherman’s net stir-fry, bottle cap clams, and the chef’s specialty synthetic plastic clothing fibers.

 

While repulsive to us humans, this is the menu millions of animals get for their meals each day due to plastic pollution.

According to the research paper “Plasticizer endocrine disruption” approximately 90% of seabirds have plastic in their stomachs.

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Causes:

So, what’s the cause of all this plastic pollution?

 

As you already know, plastic waste is the result of the disposal of items containing plastic. Thousands of items from plastic bottles to clothes woven with synthetic textiles contribute to plastic waste. What you may not expect, however, is that the problem of plastic pollution in the environment is not necessarily a product of plastic waste but rather a mishandling of that waste.

 

Chances are when you throw away your trash it is taken to a landfill where it will never see the light of day again.

While this is wasteful, your trash probably won’t end up in the environment where it can harm plants, animals, or other people. However, mismanaged plastic waste is much more dangerous.

 

Mismanaged plastic waste is the plastic that ends up in our oceans, our food, and the environment. In most cases mismanaged plastic waste is the result of poor waste management infrastructure. According to the research article, “Future scenarios of global plastic waste generation and disposal”, the U.S. and Canada produce roughly 0.3 metric tons of mismanaged plastic waste each year. That figure stands in stark contrast with the 52 metric tons of mismanaged plastic waste countries in Asia produce each year. China alone produces over a quarter of the world’s mismanaged plastic waste. Sadly, even countries like our own with robust waste management systems contribute to plastic pollution.

 

For example, much of our recycling is sent oversees for processing. When countries receiving that recycling are ill-equipped to handle it or the recycling is of poor quality most of it will end up in the environment as mismanaged waste.

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How You Can Help:

Now that you know more about the causes of plastic pollution; let’s look at some of the steps we can all take to help.

 

Since you can never know for sure if your trash is being managed properly, it’s important that you reduce your waste. I say waste and not plastic because it’s nearly impossible to tell what has plastic and what doesn’t. You may be disposing of things you thought were environmentally friendly but really weren’t. Reducing your waste is the only way to be confident that you’re doing your part to reduce plastic pollution.

 

Tip

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Use a water bottle

Cut out plastic bottles by using a water bottle. Or, if you are a coffee drinker, use a coffee mug or thermos instead of disposable cups. 

Use a lunchbox

It may sound childish, but a lunchbox is a great way to carry your lunch without using a disposable plastic bag.

Decline takeout utensils

Most fast-casual restaurants provide plastic utensils and napkins with your meal. While convenient, these extras are extremely wasteful. Declining them is a great way to reduce waste.

Online shopping

Placing an order of multiple items at once produces less waste than ordering those same items separately. Since they can be packaged together in one box.

Eat fresh produce

Eating fresh produce produces significantly less plastic waste than eating packaged foods. After all, oranges have built in packaging!

Look in the trash

This one is disgusting but it works. If you look in your trash you can easily find out where most of your waste comes from. For example, if you find that you have been throwing out a lot of food, try buying smaller portions and keep track of expiration dates.

 

Once you’ve reduced your own waste, try picking up some of the trash that’s been mismanaged in your area. Start small, just try picking up the trash you see in the places you visit often. If you want, try gathering a group of friends to help you. Every little bit counts, and your actions make a difference.

For more information about plastic pollution, please visit the EPA’s website: https://www.epa.gov/trash-free-waters/plastic-pollution

Christopher Moore takes full responsibility for the information posted. The information on this page represents that of Christopher Moore and not that of California State University, Sacramento.