We’ve all encountered plastic waste in various forms. It can be found in our homes, on our streets, and in our oceans. Plastic pollution has become a pressing global concern that requires immediate attention.
Although there have been some attempts over the years to reduce plastic usage and change the way we handle discarded plastic, most countries continue to witness an increase in plastic consumption. This implies that the plastic issue poses a significant threat to the environment, demanding further action.
The Problem of Plastic Waste
Plastic waste stands out as one of the most critical environmental problems of our time. Approximately 300 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year, with around 14 million tonnes ending up in oceans worldwide. Additionally, numerous tonnes of plastic find their way into landfills or the general environment annually.
This leads to the contamination of both land and water with plastic debris. Adding to the concern, plastic does not easily decompose and can persist in the environment for a considerable period. Depending on the type of plastic, decomposition can take anywhere from twenty to five hundred years.
Although the plastic waste problem has existed for many years, it is only recently that people have begun recognizing it as a major environmental issue that requires addressing.
Causes and Effects of Plastic Pollution
One of the primary causes of plastic pollution is the use of single-use plastics. Common examples of these include water bottles, straws, food containers, plastic bags, and plastic packaging. As the name suggests, these plastics are intended for one-time use before being discarded. This practice presents several issues. While single-use plastics have made our lives convenient, they come at a cost.
Improper disposal of plastic is a significant problem. Much of the plastic waste originates from single-use plastic items, which are not always recycled. Consequently, these plastics accumulate in the environment, leading to plastic pollution.
According to Our World In Data, 55% of these plastics end up in landfills, while 25% are incinerated.
Incinerating plastic in a single year can release 850 million tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gas emissions also occur during the production of new plastics, as fossil fuels are used. This means that incinerating plastic duplicates the harmful effects both at the beginning and end of its lifecycle. When the lifecycle of plastic consists of just a single use, the environmental impact and contribution to climate change become substantial.
However, not all plastics are incinerated or recycled. Some are simply dumped in the environment, where they gradually decompose.
This can lead to chemical leakage, known as leachate, which can enter the ground, and the plastics release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Improperly disposed plastics can also find their way into waterways and eventually the world’s oceans.
The effects of this type of plastic litter are far-reaching. It can have a devastating impact on the environment and the health of wildlife, including humans over time. The immediate consequence of introducing plastic waste into the environment is the destruction of habitats and ecosystems.
Plastic waste accumulates in oceans, lakes, and rivers, choking and suffocating aquatic life. Moreover, plastics contain various toxins that can seep into the environment, contaminating water sources. This can lead to severe health issues for animals and humans.
While fishing gear contributes significantly to plastic and general waste pollution in the ocean, other forms of plastic, such as single-use plastics, are also major contributors. Sea-based sources account for 20% of ocean plastics, while 80% comes from land-based sources.
Animals can ingest plastic, and microplastics have been found in the stomachs of marine life. The ingestion of plastics can cause the death of animals, disrupting their life cycles, food chains, and the ecosystems they inhabit. This disruption also impacts biodiversity, resulting in a substantial environmental impact. In the marine environment, plastic pollution affects all creatures, from fish and plankton to seabirds. Over 900 species of marine megafauna, including birds, turtles, whales, and dolphins, have been found to ingest or become entangled in marine debris.
The Microplastics Problem
In addition to the issue of plastic waste, there is the problem of microplastics. Microplastics refer to tiny plastic pieces smaller than 5mm. They result from the breakdown of larger plastic materials like bottles and bags and can accumulate in the environment. Recently, microplastic particles have even been found in human blood. The long-term effects of this are still not fully understood.
Once microplastics enter the environment, they become extremely challenging to address. The most effective way to tackle microplastic issues is by preventing the excessive introduction of plastic into the environment in the first place through proper waste management. This prevents their breakdown into microplastics, which can cause harm to the environment.
Solutions to the Plastic Waste Problem
The plastic waste problem is a global issue that necessitates global action. Various approaches can be taken to tackle the issues surrounding plastic waste. They can generally be categorized into four main areas:
- Developing sustainable alternatives
- Reducing plastic usage
- Recycling plastic waste
- Implementing laws and regulations
One way to address the plastic waste problem is by focusing on sustainability and developing eco-friendly alternatives to plastic. This can be achieved through various means, and many companies have made progress in this regard. Plastic has often been chosen for its convenience or cost-effectiveness, but with advancements in materials and processes, this is no longer an absolute necessity.
Many material manufacturers have made efforts to move away from plastics made with carbon polymers. Significant progress has been made in developing biodegradable materials that can serve as alternatives to plastic, such as paper, bamboo, and corn starch. While these materials have historically been more expensive, their costs have been decreasing and will continue to do so as their use becomes more widespread.
For some businesses, switching to different materials presents challenges, especially regarding production and sales costs. This is why government intervention, such as legislation, has been necessary to restrict the use of plastic for certain products. Recent examples include the banning of plastic drinking straws and plastic carrier bags or the imposition of environmental taxes on such items.
Apart from legislation and taxes, finding alternative materials to replace plastic helps address one of the crucial aspects of tackling the plastic problem, which is reducing plastic usage from the outset.
Reducing Plastic Usage
When it comes to materials and packaging in general, certain product types may not utilize sustainable materials as expected. A prime example is single-use beverage containers. The production of aluminium cans, glass bottles, and plastic bottles all carries an environmental cost. Transitioning from plastic to one of the alternative materials may offer some ecological advantages (given that plastic is a potential pollutant), but the true benefits lie in the recyclability of the products and the ability to recycle the materials initially. Since in many places, all waste is ultimately disposed of together without recycling, any material will likely have a detrimental environmental impact, particularly if its main purpose is single-use.
Hence, various incentives have been implemented, such as endeavors to eliminate single-use packaging at the point of sale. For instance, coffee chains now permit customers to bring their own reusable drink containers instead of providing disposable cups, regardless of their potential for recyclability. Reuse schemes have numerous advantages, but there must also be a shift in consumer mindset from convenience to proactive engagement in avoiding plastic. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce overall waste generation, addressing all forms of excessive production, not solely virgin plastic.
This can be achieved by employing reusable products like bags and bottles, while avoiding single-use plastics such as straws and disposable plates. The ultimate objective is to minimize the use of single-use items, thereby reducing the need for their manufacturing. As single-use items are frequently made of plastic, transitioning to reusable containers aids in diminishing the volume of plastic waste entering the supply chain. These changes in business practices can also save money once consumers shift their mentality from convenience to conscientiousness.
Enhanced Recycling
Improving recycling processes provides another avenue to combat plastic pollution. By recycling plastic waste, it can often be repurposed and used for manufacturing new products, thereby reducing plastic waste in the environment.
Recycling plastic, however, comes with its own challenges. While practically all plastic can be recycled, it is not always feasible or cost-effective to do so for every type of plastic. The ability to recycle specific plastic types varies based on one’s geographical location.
Additionally, the availability of recycling facilities is not always aligned with demand. For instance, fast food establishments or situations where people are away from home and have limited waste disposal options. This issue has seen some improvement over the years, but it still heavily relies on individual countries’ approaches and remains a significant source of the single-use plastics that end up in the environment.
Enhancing waste management systems in areas where they are most needed will contribute to more effective recycling of plastics and other materials. It is crucial to improve the circular economy of global plastics’ lifecycle to aid the environment.
Unfortunately, plastic recycling is a global concern but is often addressed at a local level. Organizations such as the United Nations collaborate with countries to establish legally binding agreements like the End Plastic Pollution initiative, aiming to address plastic pollution. However, these agreements often progress slowly and can be compromised based on the economic agendas of individual nations.
Implementing Laws and Regulations
As mentioned earlier, governments have had to confront the plastic issue through increased legislation and regulations, particularly concerning single-use items.
While bans are generally not welcomed, change often necessitates intervention from the state. These laws and regulations have been enacted to decrease the amount of plastic waste generated. They include prohibitions on single-use plastics like straws and bags, as well as the implementation of taxes and fines on plastic products.
Many countries have already taken steps in this direction. However, there is no global mandate for such measures. Current initiatives are implemented on a country-by-country basis, thus limiting the effectiveness of these regulations. Although laws and regulations can effectively reduce plastic pollution, it is crucial to have them in place to begin with, and not every country is equally committed to this cause.