What is Plastic Pollution Doing to Our Planet?

Plastic pollution refers to the excessive accumulation of plastic waste in the environment. From packaging to single-use products, the widespread use of plastics in modern life has led to a growing environmental crisis. Plastic waste often ends up in oceans, rivers, and landfills, taking hundreds of years to break down. The plastic we throw away today will continue to harm the planet for many generations that come next.

What’s is Causing Plastic Pollution?

The biggest cause of plastic pollution is the mismanagement and improper disposal of plastic waste. Littering and the over-consumption of single-use plastics are major contributors to pollution in oceans and rivers. Lack of recycling resources or poor waste collection infrastructure can discourage people from disposing of their waste correctly.

Industries such as food and drink also produce enormous amounts of plastic (much single-use) – especially in packaging and shipping, which are often discarded after only one use. This throwaway culture significantly contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution.

How Does Plastic Pollution Affect Humans and Marine Life?

Discarded plastic waste has a devastating impact on wildlife and ecosystems alike. An estimated 5.25 trillion individual plastic particles are floating on or near the surface of the world’s oceans, severely affecting marine life. Many species ingest plastic debris or become entangled within plastic waste leading to malnutrition, long-term injuries, or even death. Microplastics have been found in more than 100 aquatic species, and nearly every species of seabird. There tiny plastic fragments are mistaken for food or absorbed into the body, causing long term harm.

But it’s not just wildlife at risk. Plastic pollution also poses serious threat to humas health. Microplastics have entered the food chain, contaminating the food we eat, our water supplies, and even the air we breathe. Studies found 80% of people tested have microplastics in their blood. These tiny particles can lead to cell damage, affect the respiratory system, and even disrupt reproductive health.

Does Plastic Pollution Affect Climate Change? – Is There Anything We Can Do?

Plastic pollution is not only damaging our health and harming wildlife, it’s also contributing to climate change. Poor waste management is responsible for 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. As the plastics industry grows, as too does its impact on the planet.

But there is hope, and action that we can all take. By switching to products which use alternative packaging; glass bottles and carboard are a great first step. These materials are easier to recycle and decompose much quicker than plastics. We should recycle where possible, and encourage local communities, businesses, and public spaces to provide resources for more environmental waste disposal. Many establishments already making the change to go ‘plastic free’.

It might sound obvious, but simply putting all waste into a bin instead of on the ground can make a big difference. Keeping plastic waste out of nature helps protect animals from ingesting it. Protecting out ecosystems and our own health in the process.

The Bottom Line

Plastic pollution is a global problem, but local action matters. By making small changes such as choosing alternatives to single use plastics, recycling, and encouraging others to do the same, you can make a huge different preserving our planet. You’re not just helping the environment, you’re protecting wildlife, the planet, and your own health.