INTRODUCTION

A multi-year initiative aimed at raising awareness of this challenge and reducing

the amount of single-use plastic that enters in the world’s oceans. Doing so will not only
benefit the thousands to potentially millions of marine animals that become entangled
in, suffocated by, or ingest plastic each year, but will also contribute to the overall health
of the planet’s marine ecosystems and all who rely upon them. Each year, 9 million tons
of plastic waste ends up in the ocean. Some estimates suggest this plastic could remain
in marine environments for 450 years or longer, and the problem is only getting worse.
Addressing a challenge of this magnitude requires an unprecedented approach.
(National Geographic)

Plastic pollution is currently one of the biggest environmental concerns. It may

seem like large amounts of plastic waste are inevitable in the world we live.The amount
of garbage in the world increases as the population grows, and disposable plastic
products, like water bottles and soda cans, accumulate over time. Plastic pollution
occurs when enough plastic has gathered in an area that it affects the natural
environment and harms plants, animals, or humans.

Plastic has toxic pollutants that damage the environment and cause land, water,
and air pollution. It can take hundreds or even thousands of years for plastic to break
down, so the damage to the environment is long-lasting.

The pollution in the ocean is mostly from plastic, and it has a terrible impact on
marine species. As a result, it can hurt the economy and food supply for communities
that rely on fishing. Plastic can hurt tiny organisms like plankton, which larger animals
rely on for food. If small organisms are poisoned from ingesting plastic, the animals that
eat them will also consume toxins. The toxins work their way up the food chain and can
even be present in the fish people eat.

Air pollution is another issue for humans and animals. When plastic is burned in
the open air, it releases large amounts of toxins, which pollutes the air. If the toxins are
inhaled for a long period of time, it can lead to respiratory problems.
In addition to harming plants, animals, and people, it costs millions of dollars every year
for cleanup of areas exposed to plastic toxins. Many regions have seen a decrease in
tourism because of the amount of pollution in their environment, which can have a
serious impact on local economies.
DISCUSSION

Plastic is often used for its versatility and durability, but its durability has had
devastating consequences. It can take up to 1,000 years for plastic items to degrade,
yet so many are regarded as “disposable.” About one half of all plastic produced is used
only once, with only a small percentage recycled. And we have already discarded 75%
of all the plastic ever made.

Because plastic wasn’t invented until the late 19th century, and production
really only took off around 1950, we have a mere 9.2 billion tons of the stuff to deal
with. Of that, more than 6.9 billion tons have become waste. And of that waste, a
staggering 6.3 billion tons never made it to a recycling bin—a figure that stunned the
scientists who crunched the numbers in 2017.

Many regions are already facing issues with , but water sources everywhere are in
danger because of plastic pollution. Plastic toxins in dumps and from litter can seep into
the groundwater, which people drink every day. On land, wind can carry plastic waste or
litter throughout the environment. It can get stuck in trees, fences, traffic lights, or other
structures. When animals come into contact with this plastic waste, they risk consuming
the toxins or becoming entangled in the plastic and suffocating. If an animal consumes
a piece of plastic, the plastic can clog its stomach while also poisoning it with
toxins. Almost 200 different species of animals are known to ingest plastic debris. The
impacts of flooding our oceans with plastic are becoming increasingly visible:
starved whales and seabirds are being found on shores with stomachs full of plastic and
beaches are being smothered in plastic waste. But some of the damage from plastic is
less visible. Rather than degrade, plastic breaks down into tiny pieces, called
microplastics. Microplastics are now found everywhere — in ocean water, in the sand in
our beaches, and formed into giant garbage patches in the ocean. These microplastics
leak toxins and are consumed by aquatic organisms. Eventually, these toxins make
their way up the food chain to us.
Our plastic addiction must be addressed. One way to lessen the amount of plastic
produced and disposed of is to recycle plastic products, and there is a lot of progress
that can be made on this. For example, in the U.S., less than ten percent of all
recyclable plastic is recycled.

However, most plastic can only be recycled a few times, so even better than recycling is
reducing the use and disposal of plastic, and there are many ways for individuals and
business to do this. For example, there are currently efforts underway to stop the
rampant use of plastic straws in bars and restaurants. Some countries, states, and cities
are also starting to take action to discourage the use of some plastic products, such
as passing bans or fees on plastic bags and plastic straws. There is also increasing
interest in creating systems of “extended producer responsibility” for plastic — which is
based on the idea that companies that profit from creating and selling plastic products
should also pay the costs of cleaning up the resulting pollution and setting up systems
to recycle.

The waste that clogs Manila’s beaches and waterways reinforces Siegler’s point.
Much of it consists of sachets—tear-off packets that once held a single serving of
shampoo, toothpaste, coffee, condiments, or other products. They are sold by the
millions to poor people who can’t afford to buy more than one serving at a time.
Sachets blow around Manila like leaves falling from trees. They’re not recyclable, so
no waste picker will retrieve them. Crispian Lao, a member of the National Solid
Waste Management Commission, says, “This segment of packaging is growing, and it
has become a real challenge for solid waste management.”

As a simple person we can help in solution to the plastic pollution. As Consumers can
help fix the problem by making an effort to reduce plastic waste. A great way to reduce
waste is to use reusable bags when you grocery shop. People often leave stores with
dozens of plastic bags that just get thrown away. Drinking from a reusable water bottle
instead of a disposable one can also be very helpful. If everyone drank the
recommended amount of water per day from disposable bottles, it would create an
unbelievable amount of plastic waste.

You can also avoid to-go containers like cups from coffee shops and styrofoam
containers for leftovers from restaurants. Instead, purchase reusable containers to cut
down on waste.

Avoid using plastic straws, even in restaurants. If you like using straws, you can
purchase a reusable glass or stainless steel straw. Try to buy household products like
laundry detergent in cardboard boxes instead of plastic bottles. If you use plastic
lighters frequently, consider investing in a metal refillable lighter instead. Even small
changes in your day-to-day life can add up and greatly reduce the amount of plastic
waste in the environment. After reducing your plastic use as much as possible, recycle
everything you can. Jars, milk jugs, batteries, and even items like crayons and ink
cartridges can be recycled.
Conclusion

If you’re passionate about decreasing plastic waste and reducing pollution in the
environment, you can become an advocate in your community. Speak to local
restaurants, shops, or other businesses about environmentally-friendly packaging and
bagging options. More and more businesses are decreasing their use of plastic supplies
because of environmental concerns, and local businesses are likely to take their
patrons’ suggestions seriously.

You can also speak to lawmakers or local government members about plastic
pollution. Get your friends, neighbors, and other community members involved, too. The
more people in the community who speak up about pollution, the more likely your local
politicians are to pay attention.

Plastic pollution has a big impact on the environment, but plastic waste isn’t
unavoidable. Every time you make the choice to avoid or recycle plastic products, you
lower the risk of environmental damage. Be conscious of your choices, and encourage
those around you to think twice before they throw away plastic or buy unnecessary
plastic items.