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Our
environment is constantly changing everyday, and as
our environment changes, so does the need to become increasingly aware of the
problems that surround it. Environmental issues have always been a big
concern for the world. Globally, the amount of plastic entering the marine
environment has increased every year as a result of
mass production of polymers and lax end-of-life management of plastic
products. Plastic can be transported over great distances and endure in the
marine environment for a very long time thanks to its toughness and density.
Plastic pollution has spread to a variety of settings, from distant lakes to
the deepest oceans; nonetheless, the consequences in the marine environment
continue to be the most researched. Here, plastic has been seen to harm
environments by changing the distribution of species, entangle organisms,
cause harm, and even increase mortality from ingestion. Our lifestyles, our
cars, our need for more farmland, and all kinds of plastic stuff we love to
use is harming our ecosystems all over the world. It is our own responsibility to protect the
planet we are living in. |
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10 Solutions to Plastic Pollution |
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· Get
Used to Not Using Disposable Plastics. · Stop
buying bottled water. · Support
a Bag Tax or Ban · Bring
your own reusable bag to shopping · Use biodegradable garbage bags |
· Recycle · Cook
more · Avoid
using items that contain microbeads. · Avoid
using plastic straws · Reuse of Plastic Waste |
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Avoid
using plastic straws |
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The most common marine plastic item found worldwide
is the plastic straw, which is typically not recyclable. Use your voice as a
patron to tell establishments to stop using plastic stirrers and straws.
Support a shift to paper straws, as Starbucks and McDonald's are beginning to
do, or stop using straws altogether. Bring your own if you must use straws
urgently. Bamboo and metal straws are now more frequently found in stores. By
avoiding using plastic straws can reduce 4% of plastic pollution every year. |
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Recycle Although it
sounds clear, we don't really do a good job at it. For instance, just 14% of
plastic packaging is recycled. Confused about what belongs in the trash and
what doesn't? Look at the number printed on the container's bottom. Most
curbside recycling providers will accept (PET) bottles, which are often used
for beverages and liquid cleaners. Some regions also accept containers with
the designations. Start doing it the correct way can help increase the
percentage of plastic that is getting recycle. By the time all of us can do
it right |
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In
recent years, tiny plastic "microbeads" have expanded as a significant
cause of ocean plastic pollution. Some face scrubs, toothpastes, and body
washes include microbeads, which are harmful to hundreds of marine species
and easily infiltrate our seas and streams through our sewer systems. Look
for "polyethylene" and "polypropylene" on the ingredient
labels of your cosmetic products to steer clear of anything that contain
plastic microbeads |
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Ue Tung Tso takes full responsibility for the
information posted. The information on this page represents that of Ue Tung Tso
and not that of California State University, Sacramento.