Ways through which Plastic Harms the Environment

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Growing up most people has read that plastics harm the environment. However, usage of plastics is at an all-time high in present times. This is why more people globally, especially in the UK are transferring to a plastic-free living approach. Nevertheless, you need to understand how plastics harm the environment before making the switch to this lifestyle.

Plastic is everywhere

Plastic debris can be found in every place around the world. From clogging street drains in the cities to littering national parks and campgrounds, plastic is affecting the environment everywhere. However, due to most people and companies dumping plastic in the ocean it has become highly polluted in recent times.

Massive structure of plastic trash is found in every ocean of the world, from remote areas to middle of Pacific, to Mariana Trench, and more. By accumulating all trash to a massive size, plastic is polluting the ocean at a colossal rate which is harmful for wildlife, environment, and more.

At current accumulation rate of plastic, by 2050, mass of plastic in ocean is going to exceed fish mass that live in there.

Plastic kills wildlife

In the last few years, plastics’ impact on wildlife increased hugely. By consuming plastic or simply getting entangled in plastic products or debris, more animals have been reported dead.

Though this led to several protests against plastic it is not surprising as it is estimated that plastic over 270 thousand tons floats on world’s seas and oceans. Also, it threatens more than 700 species of marine life and is the reason for most species’ extinction.

Numerous whales, birds, marine mammals, fishes, sea turtles, and more die from entangling in plastic or simply consuming them, which leads to those getting lodged in digestive tract. Since plastic is neither digestible nor biodegradable, this often kills the animals. Large plastic fragments breaks and these smaller pieces are consumed by animals. Such consumption results in slow poisoning, malnutrition, intestinal blockage, and more.

Moreover, plastic debris gets covered with a type of marine algae, which releases natural sulphur element when they die. Seabirds and marine animals detect this chemical and mistakes plastic for food. This is why more animals are dying nowadays due to plastic pollution.

Most plastic are non-recyclable

Most people don’t know the difference between biodegradable and break down. Breaking down plastic means larger plastics are broken into smaller pieces. These small pieces are often consumed by animals and are indigestible.

Only a small portion of plastics are biodegradable. Some might be reduced to chemical components at home, for others, industries or municipal facilities are required. However, most of the plastics used are non-biodegradable that harms the environment and animals. Moreover, not all biodegradable ones are recycled adequately that keeps increasing the harmful effects.

These are some of the ways through which plastics often harm the environment and why more people in the UK are switching to a non-plastic lifestyle. So, now that you are aware of the problems plastics create, hopefully, you will stand up for the cause and stop using plastics.