Water Bottles and the Environment - Literature review Example

Water Bottles and the Environment Number This synthesis essay discusses how plastic water bottles areharmful to the environment. During the course of my research on the topic (both on a global and local scale), five sources were utilized. Gerdes ‘Pollution’ and Knight’s ‘Plastic Pollution’ were essential during my research on the specific Urban-Campaign area, Illinois and the surroundings (while also providing analysis on a global perspective). The three remaining sources (Andrady’s ‘Plastics and the Environment’, Kiener’s ‘Plastic pollution can the world solve the plastic waste problem?’ and Whyman and Bishop’s ‘Plastics and the Environment’) discussed the issue of plastic pollution largely on a global scale. Basically, the essay talks about a myriad of issues with each paragraph or two discussing a certain aspect regarding the plastic problem as it is locally (in the Urbana-Campaign area) then also discussing what is happening (about the same) in other areas of the world, that is, globally. Many consider water bottles a healthy alternative to drinking plain tap water, and while bottled water is definitely a better choice compared to soft drinks that contain a lot of sugar, bottled water is not a good choice for the well-being of the earth. Apart from consuming 3-5 more water in their manufacture than the bottle can actually contain (Andrady, 2003) and the fact that the manufacture of these plastics contributes to the depletion of the non-renewable petroleum which is a raw material in the process (Kiener, 2010), plastic bottles are also harmful to the environment and results in environmental pollution. Plastic pollution entails the build-up of plastic products in the environment which severely impacts wildlife, wildlife habitats and also humans (Andrady, 2003). Plastic pollution can greatly affect land, waterways and other water bodies such as oceans. The problem of plastics in the University of Illinois and the larger Urbana-Campaign area’s environment stems from the fact that plastics are inexpensive and durable. This means that a lot of plastics are used by students and the locals (Knight, 2012). Usually, consumers of different plastics use them for a single purpose then discard/ dispose of them within a year or recycle them. Plastic pollution is on the rise in the University of Illinois with students and staff using more than 1,000 disposable plastic bags daily. As a result of the increased packaging of foodstuff (take-away), drinks and water into disposable plastic containers, the University and the larger Urbana-Campaign are now spend a considerable amount of revenue in hiring employees that clean after the increasing mess than was previously the case (Whyman & Bishop, 2005). On a global scale, in 2011, surveys indicate plastics constituted over 12% of the municipal solid wastes while in the 1960s, plastics constituted a paltry 1% of the municipal solid wastes indicating a steady rise in the plastic mayhem (Knight, 2012). Plastic pollution in itself manifests in a plethora of ways including marine debris (man-made wastes that have been released into a lake, sea, ocean or waterway), plastic netting, littering, plastic particle water pollution, friendly floaters and so on (Kiener, 2010). This increase in plastic pollution, like in the Urbana-Campaign area, has resulted in untold land pollution. Disposed chlorinated plastics release certain chemicals into the soils which seep into underground water and adjacent water sources posing serious health risks to the people and animals that use these waters (Knight, 2012). Researchers in the University of Illinois cite this plastic mayhem as the cause for the increase in the amount of chemicals in the surrounding water bodies and lakes and the consequent need for more costly water treatment procedures (Gerdes, 2011). In many regions of the world, these plastic wastes are piled up at central areas by local authorities where they form landfill areas. These landfill areas are usually infected with microbes which catalyze the biodegradation of these plastics, releasing methane (a powerful greenhouse gas which contributes to global warming). The increased global warming around the globe therefore considerably arises from plastic pollution. Although some landfills have devised mechanisms of trapping this methane and channeling it towards energy production, a great number of others especially in the 3rd world are yet to embrace such methods (Andrady, 2003). Release of methane by plastic pollution does not result from landfills alone. In the Urbana-Campaign area, for instance, biodegradable plastics breakdown if left on the ground as is the trending habit of most locals. In such cases of scattered plastics, degradation period is lengthier but the cumulative effect is increased global warming (Gerdes, 2011). Plastic pollution has been on the rise in the greater Illinois area. A recent research by Five Gyres Institute, a research organization aimed at reducing plastic water pollution, surveyed the presence of micro-plastics on Lake Michigan in 2013 and discovered massive concentrations of plastic micro-beads on the lake surface (Gerdes, 2011). The same trend has been observed globally with a 2012 study estimating approximately 165 million tons of plastic pollution on the world’s oceans alone (Knight, 2012). Polystyrene and nurdles along with plastic bags and containers are the most prevalent forms of plastic pollution and oceanic debris. Nurdles are a form of micro-plastics/ plastic pellets in which form plastics are shipped to various destinations across the globe for the manufacture of plastic products. During such shipments, a considerable volume of these micro-plastics are leaked/ spilled into oceans with global estimates suggesting approximately 10% of beach litter being nurdles (as is the case in Coco Beach in India). Basically, plastics in ocean (incompletely) breakdown within a year and in the process, toxic chemicals like polystyrene and bisphenol A leach into the waters compounding this pollution (Kiener, 2010). About 3,500 plastic resin pellets per kilometers squared have been reported floating on the surface of the Sargasso Sea. In addition, there is a swirling mass of plastic trash in the Pacific called the Pacific Garbage Patch that is equal in size to Texas. There are five other such gyres across the world oceans (Whyman & Bishop, 2005). Different plastics are composed of different kinds of chemicals which are often used to make plastics multi-purpose, but pose health risks with some having the potential to be absorbed by humans through the skin (Whyman & Bishop, 2005). The extent to which these chemicals affect humans is not yet fully understood but there are measures aimed at reducing such effects. These include reducing the amount of these chemicals in plastics to trace amounts and procedures aimed at restricting such elements within the plastic using inert materials or polymers (Kiener, 2010). The Urbana-Campaign area has over the last five years witnessed cancer mortality and incidence rates that appear to be directly proportional to plastic pollution (Knight, 2012). Locals are often advised to hand wash any plastic food and beverage items in warm (not hot) water (as washing in water could pose serious health risks. Plastic pollution in the University of Illinois and the world at large causes an eyesore/ derelict topography that interfere with man’s capacity to enjoy nature. Over the past two decades, zoologists in the University of Illinois and the larger state report a decrease in the number and variety of birds. These birds seem to have been repelled to other areas due to the increased levels of pollution. In this way, these birds act as bio-indicators of environmental (plastic) pollution (Gerdes, 2011). In addition, birds that used to frequent the area at specific times of the year as a migratory route appear to be currently evading the area due to this pollution (Knight, 2012). Over 80% of the world’s sea birds have been found to ingest plastics. Plastic pollution can poison animals which can in turn affect human food supplies. Marine biologists across the world note that plastic pollution greatly affects large marine mammals and other species such as sea turtles which have often been found having large amounts of plastics in their stomachs. Consequently, the animal dies due to starvation as the digestive tracts are blocked. In addition, such marine animals can get caught up in plastic products which can harm or kill them (Andrady, 2003). Over 260 species have been reported to have been entangled with or ingested plastics. When an animal is entangled in plastic, it is rendered sessile and hence cannot search for food or escape predation therefore they normally die due to laceration, ulcers, infections, and predation and so on. Research shows that close to 400,000 marine mammals die yearly as a result of plastic pollution in oceans. In 2004 alone, it was estimated that sea gulls in the North Sea had a mean of 40 pieces of plastics in their stomachs (Whyman & Bishop, 2005). Consumption of these plastics by marine species is especially common when the bags carry food residues, are brightly colored or are animated by the movement of water. These plastics in the stomachs make the organisms assume that they are satisfied, consequently avoiding feeding resulting to mass deaths. In turtles, plastics have been shown to block intestines and make the animals float and so they can’t dive for food. Many regions of the world have adopted various mechanisms aimed at minimizing the use of plastics and at the same time promoting plastic recycling. In the University of Illinois, for example, plastic bags are gradually being replaced with more efficient re-usable or biodegradable materials. Certain communities and businesses in Illinois have joined hands in protecting the environment by banning some commonly used plastic items such as bottled water and plastic bags (Knight, 2012). And more recently, a group of Illinois law makers led by Senator Haether Steans waged a serious war against water polluting agents in cosmetic products. This came with the massive increase of polythene bags in the Illinois water bodies, specifically Lake Michigan and a perceived consequent great threat to the health of the Great Lakes and the state’s environment. Stainless steel and glass water bottles are safer and more earth friendly alternatives to plastic bottles. Currently, there are also industries manufacturing BPA-free and Prothalate-free plastic water bottles (Whyman & Bishop, 2005). Despite such international and local efforts made in the last two decades concerning plastic pollution, there are no clear indications that quantities and distribution of marine litter are decreasing, either globally or locally (Gerdes, 2011). References Andrady, A. L. (2003). Plastics and the Environment. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley-Interscience. Gerdes, L. I. (2011). Pollution. Detroit [Mich.]: Greenhaven Press. Kiener, R. (2010). Plastic Pollution Can The World Solve The Plastic Waste Problem? Washington, D.C.: CQ Press. Knight, G. (2012). Plastic Pollution. Chicago, Ill.: Heinemann Library. Whyman, K., Nevett, L., & Bishop, S. (2005). Plastics and the Environment (New ed., A Stargazer Books library Ed.). Mankato, Minn.: Stargazer Books. Read More

This increase in plastic pollution, like in the Urbana-Campaign area, has resulted in untold land pollution. Disposed chlorinated plastics release certain chemicals into the soils which seep into underground water and adjacent water sources posing serious health risks to the people and animals that use these waters (Knight, 2012). Researchers in the University of Illinois cite this plastic mayhem as the cause for the increase in the amount of chemicals in the surrounding water bodies and lakes and the consequent need for more costly water treatment procedures (Gerdes, 2011).

In many regions of the world, these plastic wastes are piled up at central areas by local authorities where they form landfill areas. These landfill areas are usually infected with microbes which catalyze the biodegradation of these plastics, releasing methane (a powerful greenhouse gas which contributes to global warming). The increased global warming around the globe therefore considerably arises from plastic pollution. Although some landfills have devised mechanisms of trapping this methane and channeling it towards energy production, a great number of others especially in the 3rd world are yet to embrace such methods (Andrady, 2003).

Release of methane by plastic pollution does not result from landfills alone. In the Urbana-Campaign area, for instance, biodegradable plastics breakdown if left on the ground as is the trending habit of most locals. In such cases of scattered plastics, degradation period is lengthier but the cumulative effect is increased global warming (Gerdes, 2011). Plastic pollution has been on the rise in the greater Illinois area. A recent research by Five Gyres Institute, a research organization aimed at reducing plastic water pollution, surveyed the presence of micro-plastics on Lake Michigan in 2013 and discovered massive concentrations of plastic micro-beads on the lake surface (Gerdes, 2011).

The same trend has been observed globally with a 2012 study estimating approximately 165 million tons of plastic pollution on the world’s oceans alone (Knight, 2012). Polystyrene and nurdles along with plastic bags and containers are the most prevalent forms of plastic pollution and oceanic debris. Nurdles are a form of micro-plastics/ plastic pellets in which form plastics are shipped to various destinations across the globe for the manufacture of plastic products. During such shipments, a considerable volume of these micro-plastics are leaked/ spilled into oceans with global estimates suggesting approximately 10% of beach litter being nurdles (as is the case in Coco Beach in India).

Basically, plastics in ocean (incompletely) breakdown within a year and in the process, toxic chemicals like polystyrene and bisphenol A leach into the waters compounding this pollution (Kiener, 2010). About 3,500 plastic resin pellets per kilometers squared have been reported floating on the surface of the Sargasso Sea. In addition, there is a swirling mass of plastic trash in the Pacific called the Pacific Garbage Patch that is equal in size to Texas. There are five other such gyres across the world oceans (Whyman & Bishop, 2005).

Different plastics are composed of different kinds of chemicals which are often used to make plastics multi-purpose, but pose health risks with some having the potential to be absorbed by humans through the skin (Whyman & Bishop, 2005). The extent to which these chemicals affect humans is not yet fully understood but there are measures aimed at reducing such effects. These include reducing the amount of these chemicals in plastics to trace amounts and procedures aimed at restricting such elements within the plastic using inert materials or polymers (Kiener, 2010).

The Urbana-Campaign area has over the last five years witnessed cancer mortality and incidence rates that appear to be directly proportional to plastic pollution (Knight, 2012). Locals are often advised to hand wash any plastic food and beverage items in warm (not hot) water (as washing in water could pose serious health risks.

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