Plastic Water Bottles and Their Environmental Impacts - Report Example

Plastic water bottles should be banned due to its environmental impacts Introduction Various environmentalrules, regulations, frameworks, and policies characterize the contemporary environment. The reason for such numerous rules, regulations, frameworks, and policies is due to the increased environmental destruction from human activities. There have been numerous attempts to reduce environmental destructions and degradations caused by human activities (Halden 180). One of the main concerns about human activities and environmental destruction is the use of plastic bottled water. Indisputably, water is an essential component in human survival (Wood). However, the use of plastic bottled water has raised a lot of concerns especially in relation to how destructive they can be within the environment. Despite many studies that have been conducted in a bid to identify the best solution towards the eradication of plastic bottled water, there is still a big gap to be filled; especially taking into considerations that water is an essential element in life. Consequently, this is a proposal towards reducing the menace. Whilst this study proposes the banning of plastic water bottle due to its environmental impacts, the study appreciates the role the industry has played in uplifting economies and living standards of various players. Background of the Study Amazingly, thousands of plastic water bottles are used across the globe within a year. Consequently, a lot of money is used in producing and purchasing the plastic water bottles in a year. In addition to huge expenses in producing and purchasing plastic water bottles, it is important to note that more than 85% of the plastic bottles are not recycled especially within the United States of America (Claudio). In New Zealand, data indicate that more than 78% of the plastic bottles are not recycled. Approximately more than 80% of plastic bottles are not recycled within the globe. Such plastic bottles are found lying around the environment. Astonishingly, plastic bottles take over 700 years to decompose and this can take up to 1000 years to fully decompose (Claudio). There are other data and information that continues to cause serious shock in respect to environmental impacts of plastic bottles. For instance, it is believed that approximately 1500 plastic bottles end up into the various oceans of the world in every second. That would amount to hundreds of thousands of such bottles into the oceans (Halden 180). In terms of production, companies use approximately 3 to 5 litres of water to make one bottle and approximately 151 billion litres of oil every year to produce annual quantities of plastic bottles. Notably, 151 billion litres of oil is enough to fuel approximately 500,000 cars in year (Claudio). The fact that these statistics are shocking indicates that manufacturing plastic bottles are as expensive as the environmental impacts they (plastic bottles) cause. It is on this basis that further studies are required in order to come up with effective solution for the plastic bottles. The best solution proposed in this study is banning of the plastic water bottles, which will reduce the production of plastic bottles and further the environmental impacts. Cause and Effects of Plastic Water Bottle There is no doubt from the above statistics under the background section that plastic bottles have adverse impacts on the environment. Environmental pollution is an impact or effect caused by un-recycled plastic bottles. Statistics indicate that approximately more than 80% of the plastic bottles are not recycled. Such plastic bottles end up lying on the environment hence causing pollution. Moreover, it is even dangerous that such plastic bottles are likely to stay in the environment for a long period since plastic bottles take approximately 700 to 1000 years to fully decompose (Claudio). Therefore, the first effect that is caused by plastic bottles is the pollution of the environment. Another effect caused by plastic bottles is the pollution of the water bodies. According to statistics, it has been established that more than 1500 plastic bottles end up in the various world oceans (Sygall). As a result, the plastic bottles pollute such water bodies. It is important to note that the pollution caused to the oceans is transferred to both the living things in the water and also the users of such waters (Halden 181). The United Nations Environment Programme estimates that in every single square mile of the ocean or sea, there are more than 46,000 pieces of plastics that float hence causing further pollution. Such pieces are dangerous to both the water habitats and the other living organisms that use such waters. It is even shocking that 80% of the pollutants within the oceans come from land activities (Claudio). Algalita Marine Research Foundation conducted a study that proved that out of the 660 fishes investigated, each fish had an average of 2 pieces of plastics with the highest number of plastic pieces in a fish being 26 (Wood). If human beings consume such fishes then the plastic piece is also consumed causing more complications within the human body. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a renowned place where there are huge masses of plastic trash, which is an indication of the water pollution effect caused by plastic bottles (Claudio). Other evidences indicating environmental destructions caused by plastic bottles include increased death of birds, mammals, and fishes due to plastic consumption either directly or indirectly, ingestion of plastics from seabirds, carcases of Laysan Albatross chick containing plastics, and the intestinal blockage of the turtles found in seas and oceans. From the above data, statistics, and information, there is no doubt that plastic bottles have had a serious impact on the environment (Wood). Increased environmental destruction and degradation experienced from plastic bottles continue to raise a lot of concerns and eyebrows (Claudio). Even though many studies have been conducted in order to find a lasting solution to the environmental destruction and degradation caused by plastics, there has been a need to have deeper and more research. This study identified and evaluated various measures that include the use of regulations, policies, and frameworks in order to establish the best alternative or solution (Clapp 199). Since plastics are like diamonds; hence they are likely to stay for a long period, the best solution would be to reduce products that are packed in plastic bottles. One such product is water. Therefore, plastic water bottles should be banned in a bid to reducing the amount of plastic bottles used and disposed within the environment. Statement of the Solution The best solution to reducing the environmental destruction and degradation by plastic bottles is to reduce the plastic packaging. One of the effective ways of reducing the plastic packaging is banning of the plastic water bottles. The effective plan in accomplishing the banning of the plastic water bottles would include ensuring that clean and purified water is accessible to every individual at particular points (Halden 188). For instance, in cities and towns, there is need to have water taps from where clean and purified water flow. This will ensure that individuals obtain water whenever they need it hence reducing the idea of having plastic-bottled water. The idea should also be incorporated in various other sectors such as in buses and other transport carriages (Clapp 199). Transport carriages should have tanks with clean and purified water hence avoiding the use of plastic water bottles. Another effective way of accomplishing this plan is to develop rules, regulations, frameworks, and policies that would impose strict measures on the production or manufacture of plastic bottles. Even though rules and regulations have existed for a long time, there have never been specific rules and regulations towards banning of plastic water bottles. Governments, organizations, and the whole global fraternity should develop specific rules, regulations, policies, and frameworks that ban the use of plastic water bottles. It is through such policies, frameworks, rules, and regulations that manufacturers of the plastic bottles will have no otherwise rather than to bow out of the industry or business (Sygall). Besides, there is a need for such rules, regulations, policies, and frameworks to have strict penalties for those who may contravene their provisions. Lastly, another effective way of planning such a strategy is to create awareness amongst consumers on the adverse environmental impacts of plastic water bottles (Sygall). Such awareness and campaigns should be aimed at sensitizing the community on the environmental destruction and degradation resulting from plastic. In addition, the awareness and campaigns should aim at discouraging and convincing consumers not to buy such products (Clapp 199). Lack of the market will definitely discourage the manufacturers from producing bottled water in the form of plastics. These are effective means through which the plan of banning the manufacturing, distributing, marketing, and selling of plastic water bottles is successfully achieved thus reducing the negative impact on the environment. Even though the above are effective ways of achieving the plan of banning the use of plastic waters, many objections are likely to be raised. Firstly, opponents of the move will argue that banning the plastic water bottles through rules, regulations, frameworks, and policies are a way of misusing power and mandate to develop ineffective strategies. Such opponents like Clapp (199) believe that rules and regulations should be developed to protect both parties. In this case, it is the environment being protected and not the manufacturers or producers or plastic water bottles. In this respect, it is important to note that the environment is bigger than the manufacturers or producers. Besides, there are better ways that such waters can be packed rather than plastics (Halden 190). Hence, it is important to look at the environment as a whole rather than taking the individual interests at the forefront. Another objection regards the use of awareness and campaigns against the product. Opponents of the strategic move believe that it is unethical to have campaigns and awareness against the business enterprises and their operations (Sygall). Unethical business operations usually result in conflict between the business enterprises and the government on one hand as well as between the enterprises and the clients on the other hand. What’s more, the strategic move is seen by opponents as a way of discouraging producers from manufacturing high quality products (Halden 191). Nevertheless, it is important to understand that awareness and campaigns will not be against the manufacturers directly but against the use of plastic water bottles. It is true that such campaigns and awareness can create conflict but they should be done in a way that enhances cohesiveness within the society. Conclusion There is no doubt that plastic water bottles are products that continue to ensure increased use of plastic bottles. Plastic bottles have been identified as very dangerous to the environment. Even though there are many studies that have been proposed in respect to the plastic water bottles, there has never been a lasting solution. Based on this study and the reasons highlighted above, it is clear that the most effective technique of eradicating the impact of plastics on the environment is through banning. The banning of the plastic water bottles will reduce the use of plastic bottles across the environment, hence reducing the impact on the environment. Works Cited Clapp, Jennifer. "The Rising Tide against Plastic Waste: Unpacking Industry Attempts to Influence the Debate." Histories of the Dustheap: Waste, Material Cultures, Social Justice (2012): 199. Claudio, Luz. Plastics and the environment. Oct. 13, 2008. Web. 13 May, 2013. Halden, Rolf U. "Plastics and health risks." Annual review of public health 31 (2010): 179-194. Sygall, David. Could this mean the end of the line for the plastic water bottle? March 3, 2013. Web. 13 May 2013. < http://www.smh.com.au/environment/water-issues/could-this-mean-the-end-of-the-line-for-the-plastic-water-bottle-20130302-2fcu1.html> Wood, Heather. Negative effects of plastic bottles on the environment. Jul. 5, 2010. Web. 13 May 2013. < http://www.livestrong.com/article/166320-negative-effects-of-plastic-bottles-on-the-environment/> Read More