Plastic Waste - Research Paper Example

Plastic Waste Introduction Our life is filled with plastics. As we wake up, we comb our hair with combs made out of plastic, we brush our teeth with toothbrush made of plastic. We go to schools and offices; we use pens and computers with plastic casings, books covered with plastics. As we take a break, we probably would drink water, juice or soda from plastic bottles or styrofoam cups. As we go to groceries, wet markets, shopping malls we end up going home with more plastic bags in our hands. We use plastics, as we turn on the television, microwave oven and the list could go on endlessly. We are on an era of plastic. Plastics are very convenient to use. It is cheap and durable. One time use plastic wares are convenient to both ‘on the go’ buyers and storeowners. It is cheaper to produce and to transport because of its weight lightness. However, plastic garbage is becoming a nightmare and a great waste of energy. After we’d use those plastic products it end up on our garbage bins and so long plastic garbage. Very few of us ever care where it ends up after the garbage trucks collect it. Who cares, as long as we are having a convenient life? But folks, I think it is high time we analyze our lifestyle and how do we contribute to the overwhelming plastic garbage in our society and in the entire world. Plastic waste constitute the majority of the world’‍ garbage and its becoming a threat to both human and marine life. The Extent of Plastic Waste Plastics have only been in circulation in the last 100 years, but its harmful effect on the health and lives of people and marine life is increasingly becoming severe. Globally, it is estimated that more than 500 billion of plastic bags are consumed every year. Currently, in the United States alone, Americans are throwing 100 billion plastic bags every year which is roughly equivalent to 12 million gallons of oil as plastic are made from carbon drawn from petroleum (Mcnamee). Moreover, it is estimated that more than 350 tons of plastic waste are disposed directly into the sea world wide. A single plastic bag takes more than a hundred years before it breaks down. It is durable and very convenient to use and seemingly very harmless. Ironically, the single plastic bag, which was use to put on the classy shoe or bag that we purchase on the mall can cause the lives of several animals. Can we imagine how much damage the billion of plastic bags and other plastic waste can do to marine lives and to our own health? Plastic Waste as Threat to Marine life In 1997 during a Transpacific Yacht Race, between California and Hawaii, Captain Charles Moore accidentally discovered what is now known as the TRASH VORTEX or the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the Pacific Ocean. The trash vortex is approximately twice the size of Texas and four times the size of Germany in Pacific Ocean which is filled with various floating plastic waste from old toys, golf balls, kayaks, plastic bottles and a lot more which will not be able to decay in our lifetime. Besides to the floating trash vortex, it is assumed that 70% of the plastic waste sinks into sea bottom. According to Greenpeace, approximately 110 pieces of plastic waste were to be found per square kilometer at the sea bottom. It is calculated that a total of 600,000 tons of plastic waste are found at the bottom of the North Sea alone (Greenpeace). Plastic bags entangle birds which eventually strangled them death as they are unable to free themselves. Sea animals and other marine mammals have mistakenly eaten plastic, which causes their eventual death. According to a study conducted by marine biologist at the University of Kiel in Germany, 93% of the 180 dead birds which has been collected along the German shoreline, has been found to have plastic waste inside their stomachs (Altnau).In Australia, a crocodile named Whitey, which was part of a government wildlife tracking program was found dead and upon autopsy was found to have consumed 25 plastic shopping bags. Moreover, the United Nation’s‍ Environment Programme reported that plastic waste are causing the death of more than a million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals annually. Plastic debris such as syringes, lighters, toothbrushes, lego parts have been found inside the stomachs of those marine animals. Threat to human health What is more alarming is the recent study conducted by scientists which revealed that plastic waste in the oceans decomposes through solar radiation and wave action, and remits toxic chemical pollution as it decomposes. Dr.Saido of Nihon University in Japan revealed in his study that plastic wastes which are definitely exposed to rain and sun undergoes a process of decomposition which consequently releases hazardous chemicals in the ocean water. Chemicals such as Bisphenol A and polystyrene –based oligomers which are not organically found in nature have been found to disrupt the hormonal system of animals (Connor). Styrofoam’s releases styrene monomer, styrene dimmers and trimmer which are known to cause cancer. Dr.Saido further revealed in American Chemical Society that seawater from Pacific ocean were found to be contaminated of component from toxic plastic decomposition of up to 150 parts per million (Connor). Planktons are currently competing with plastic debris at the surface of the ocean in a stunning ratio of 1 kilogram of plankton to 6 kilogram of plastic waste. Planktons are precious food of marine life, without them marine life would be starving. As plastic debris is grounded finely into powder through solar radiation and wave action, it mixes into the sand that could no longer be seen by our naked eye. New studies show that amphipods have been eating these powderized forms of plastics. Planktons are feasting on amphipods and most probably on these powderized forms of plastic also. Moreover, plastic wastes are like magnets, they attract organic pollutants thus marine mammals are able to consume even the toxic plastic. And alas, plastic waste are soon finding its way up to our food chain, as the fish we are feasting on our dinner table have feasted on those toxic plastic minicules. Current Actions to address the plastic waste It is good to note that at the international level, several countries in Africa, such as South Africa, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Kenya and Uganda have already regulated the use of plastic (Altnau). In United States, New York City after a tough battle with plastic manufacturers have legislated the regulation of plastic bag use, while San Francisco totally ban the use of plastic bag. While some supermarkets gives their shopper an incentive of a raffle ticket for a free grocery if they bring along their own plastic bags in shopping (Mcnamee). In Asia, Bangladesh have totally ban the use of plastic after a great flood took place in the country in 2002 claimed many lives. Bangladeshi authorities found large amount of plastic bags clogging their flood drains. Taiwan on the other hand had been charging customers for plastic bags and taxing food chains using plastic utensils to regulate the country’‍ plastic usage (Mcnamee). European countries took on a longer period of educating its constituents on plastic usage and to cushion the impact of a possible retaliation economically of phasing out the use of plastic bags. France passed a law in banning all non biodegradable plastic in 2005 but its effectivity only took place in 2010.A whooping 5 years of preparation. Ireland started to charge customers for every plastic bag they use, since 2002 and accordingly their plastic garbage has reduced by 90 %.(Mcnamee). Time to Act! We should not wait until our local government enacts laws and ordinances before we act, as it may be too late. We can start by using less plastic in our life. Always carry an extra bag with you, so when out of the blue, we decide to stop by at a local grocery or supermarket to buy things, we do not need a plastic to put on the things and food we bought. Let us buy fruits and vegetables in a local market to avoid the plastic packaging. Let us re-use the plastic bags that we have accumulated in home. Let us patronize stores that use biodegradable plastic bags and disposable wares on takeout orders. More importantly, let us not be consumed by consumerism. Let us be content with the things that we have, and do not buy that latest mobile phone, laptop, when ours are still functioning. Moreover, let us give away the plastic things we no longer use, instead of keeping them on our cabinets. Our own little and personal contribution can go a long way in lessening plastic usage. Through our own efforts, we are and ultimately helping save marine life. References 1. Wall-E , Walt Disney Pixar Production, 2008 2. John Roach, Are Plastic Grocery Bags Sacking Environment?, National Geographic News, September 2,2003 3. Charlie Goodyear, SF First City to Ban Plastic Shopping bagman Francisco Chronicle, March 28,2007 4. David Chen, In Mayor’‍ Plan, the Plastic bag will carry a Fee, New York Times, November 6,2008 5. Rosemary Odgers and Brian Williams, Magnetic Island Whitey Dies after swallowing plastic bags, The Courier-Mail, November 2,2008 6. http://www.suite101.com/content/environmental-damage-caused-by-discarded-plastic-a113096 7. http://www.creacycle.de/WobleibeneigentlichdieriesigenKunststoffmengenoderDerLetztemachtdieErdesauberQQid-30-39QQlang-english.html 8. http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/detail/114222.html 9. http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/the-worlds-rubbish-dump-a-tip-that-stretches-from-hawaii-to-japan-778016.html 10. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/scientists-uncover-new-ocean-threat-from-plastics-1774337.html 11. http://discovermagazine.com/2008/jul/10-the-worlds-largest-dump Better Planet The World's Largest Dump: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch 12. http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/wycd/index.htm 13. http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/responsible-living/photos/16-simple-ways-to-reduce-plastic-waste/plastic-problem 14. http://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/2008/12/plastic-bags-and-animals-making-the-wild-safe-for-wildlife/ Read More