Plastic pollution
Do Something Drastic, Please Cut the Plastic!
It might not be the first time discussing how mach plastic and synthetic fibers we use every day. The world generates at least 300 million tonnes of plastic waste every year considering that it takes up to 600 years for plastic decomposition. Worldwide 91% of all plastic is not recycled. We are creating real mountains of trash which can be visited if you brave enough to see what we are doing with our planet. Plastic, in every form, has infiltrated our lives - from packaging to textiles, consumer products to building, we use it every day. Even our cosmetics can contain plastic.
Microplastic Pollution
Microplastic pollution is another pitfall plastic has. Most of it comes from textiles. Yes, our wardrobes are responsible for huge amounts of waste. About 65 percent of material made into clothing is plastic. Microplastics aggregate through the disintegration of plastic over time. Sometimes we can see it as small fragments of threads often washed out of clothes during washing. Then we find these plastic pieces in the air, water, food, and Antarctica's ice too. Today calls for limiting synthetic and blend fabrics usage to avoid environmental and health problems.
The beauty industry is responsible for microplastic pollution as well. Have you ever wondered about those small glittering beads found in toothpastes, face washes, scrubs, nail paints, sunscreens, lotions, shaving creams, and other personal care products? One study has shown that 50 percent of the face wash products and 67 percent of the facial scrubs contained microplastics. As many as 28 percent of all the tested products contained these harmful plastic particles. They are making the consumers ill, directly and indirectly. The microplastics used in toothpaste can get stuck in the gum and trap bacteria leading to gingivitis. “Over (a period of ) time that infection can also move from the gum into the bone holding the teeth and resulting into bleeding from gum,” reads the report. The microbeads used in face wash can cause tiny rips in the skin letting in the bacteria contributing to skin aging and dark spots. If they get stuck under the eyelid while washing the face, they can injure the cornea. Microplastics suspended in the air could even be breathed in with the risk of a noxious effect on the lungs similar to car fumes.
Microplastics enter our food chain
Studies reveal that an average human consumes 126 to 134 particles, mainly with water and seafood, and inhales 137-170 bits of plastic daily. It is at an alarming rate we are poisoning our selfs no surprise that cancer is getting younger every year. The concern for today's world increased when microplastic particles were found in the snow of Siberia. Researchers found traces even in remote uninhabited areas.
Paper is not always paper.
The uproar of using paper instead of plastic sounds good. But do you know that the simplest paper things we use today contain a ratio of plastic in them? Our eyes always set on shiny postcards or beautiful boxes when sending someone a gift. Do we really think about how much it affects the environment? Cartons for milk and juices, drinking cups have a layer of plastic. These laminations inhibit decaying, hinder the recycling process. That, in turn, increases pollution of land and air.
Carbon Emission And Microplastics
Plastic production is another issue. We imbalance the greenhouse effect of our world by our hands. Some studies claim that plastic accounts for at least 3.8% of greenhouse gases emissions globally. It warms the planet twice as much as aviation. For each ounce of plastic, we release one ounce of carbon dioxide. Hence, the production of CO2 to plastic ratios 5:1. Consider the amount of plastic we consume every day and multiply it five times to estimate the CO2 emissions. The results will be crazy! We cannot predict how many changes we might see in the coming years. Considering the situation, it will worsen if we take no immediate steps. The present trajectory predicts carbon dioxide emissions to reach 1.34 gigatons annually. But with current patterns, it can reach over 56 gigatons of the estimated values. The situation can lead to numerous problems not just for humanity but for life on the earth.
What Can We Do?
We need to change our lifestyle. There are various things we all can do. First, of all, we should seriously cut the number of plastic products we use every day. We can avoid using single-use plastic bags and products. We can opt for natural fabrics instead of synthetic ones and choose natural plastic-free cosmetics. Of cause, we have to sort our trash to recycle it. You can also donate to organizations that fight plastic pollution and create awareness. Tell your friends and family members about problems we are facing, create awareness on your social media. Our planet needs your help.