We live on a beautiful planet, but unfortunately, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find clean natural areas. Today, plastic is one of the most widely used materials, and it's also one of the slowest to decompose; in fact, a simple plastic bag can take 150 years to degrade. And yet, it seems that nothing is going to change for the moment.
And it should: we have created more than 8 billion metric tons of plastic since 1950 according to a study led from UC Santa Barbara by industrial ecologist Roland Geyer. Are we going to the plasticcene?
Well, given what we've seen, it's more than likely. Geyer and his team discovered that the global production of plastic resins and fibers increased by 2 million metric tons in 1950 to over 400 million metric tons in 2015And the pace of plastic production shows no signs of slowing down: Of the total resins and plastic fibers produced between 1950 and 2015, about half was produced in the last 13 years.
The worst part isn't the production itself, which is already worrying in itself, but the fact that it takes more than a century to degrade, or even longer. In this regard, study co-author Jenna Jambeck, associate professor of engineering at the University of Georgia, said that "most plastics don't biodegrade in any meaningful way, so human-generated plastic waste could be with us for hundreds or even thousands of years«.
Where does all that plastic go?
A significant portion, sadly, goes to the natural environment. Only in 2015, 79% of production ended up in the seas and natural environments. To give us an idea of how serious the problem is, we need to know that of the 275 million metric tons that were generated in 2010, about 8 million entered the ocean.
The fact that a significant portion of plastics ends up in our oceans is alarming. Experts estimate that about 8 million tons of plastics are dumped into the oceans annually, which is equivalent to emptying a garbage truck full of plastics every minute. If we don't change the trend, by 2025 our oceans will have 1 ton of plastic for every 3 tons of fish., and by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish. If you want to know more about ocean pollution, check out our article on the Pacific Ocean countries.
Why are plastics polluting?
The environmental problems with plastic are mainly based on two issues that we have mentioned; its slow degradation and the chemical composition of which they are manufactured. According to data provided by the Aquae Foundation:
- A plastic bag like the ones we use for shopping takes a long time to degrade. 150 years.
- A bottle of those that we find in supermarkets more than 1.000 years.
Doesn't that seem crazy to you? Imagine if you had to keep it in your house for that long. You definitely wouldn't be able to live there, and this is exactly what's happening to many marine species on our planet. The main reason is because it's constantly being produced:
- Approximately more than 1000 are manufactured per year. 100 million tons of this material, so plastic pollution in the environment, far from disappearing, is increasing.
- Of those 100 billion tons, 13 billion tons They end up in the oceans. And, worst of all, there are no borders at sea, and they probably end up stranded anywhere in the world.
Initially, recycling was advocated as a solution to the environmental impact of plastic. But This is no longer sufficient or effective..
How does plastic affect the environment?
If we talk about the environmental impact of plastic, we must analyze what happens on land, sea, and air. These three major territories that all countries have sought to conquer since ancient times, and which today we have polluted with this harmful material.
When a plastic container, bag or bottle falls to the ground, the release of toxic substances that will damage your property. And not only that, they will most likely end up seeping into the subsoil, thus affecting the groundwater and nutrients from the soil. As a result, all species that feed on that water or the plants that grow in it will end up damaged. To delve deeper into this topic, I invite you to read our article on the nanoplastic pollution.
The environmental impact of plastic in the sea is perhaps the most visible. It can be said that the oceans have become one of the largest dumping grounds for this material worldwide. As a result, many marine animals become entangled, suffocated, or even consume this type of plastic waste, which can lead to their death. Furthermore, when plastic comes into contact with water, it releases harmful substances. highly polluting compounds and dangerous ones like bisphenol A, which kills many marine species.
If we talk about the environmental impact of plastic in the air, we must differentiate between its manufacture and its burning. Both are the two major sources of pollution in this environment. In both cases, toxins quite harmful to our environment and our health.
Environmental problems with plastic
From everything we've discussed so far, you can already get an idea of why plastic has such a huge impact on the environment, but let's look at some of the problems it creates in more detail:
- Skin problems: There are certain chemical compounds in plastic that can be absorbed by our skin, which is quite dangerous and often triggers dermatological problems.
- Consumption of plastics in food: The fact that they are present in seas and oceans means that they are consumed by many marine species that then end up on our plates.
- Degradation of the marine ecosystem: Both because of its visual impact and the pollution it generates, it is a serious problem for maintaining biodiversity in particular and life in general in these environments.
- Formation of garbage islands: There are already some of them in the Pacific, and it seems that, due to the accelerated production of packaging, wrapping, bags, and other plastic products, they won't be the only ones.
The entry of plastic into the human food chain occurs in the following ways:
- Decomposition into microplastics: Plastic breaks down into tiny particles called microplastics due to the action of the sun, wind, and water.
- Pollution of soils and water bodies: These microplastics contaminate soils and bodies of water, where they are ingested by aquatic and terrestrial organisms.
- Ingestion by animals: Animals, such as fish and crustaceans, consume microplastics by feeding on contaminated organisms or directly on particles in the water.
- Transfer through the food chain: Microplastics enter the food chain as contaminated animals are consumed by other animals, accumulating along the chain.
- Human consumption: When humans consume contaminated food, especially seafood, they ingest microplastics that have passed through the food chain.
Possible impact on human health: Although the exact magnitude of the risks to human health is still being investigated, there is concern about the potential impact of ingesting microplastics on health, as they could carry toxic substances and have adverse effects on the human body.
Alternatives to plastic
There are several alternatives and solutions to conventional plastic that can help reduce its environmental impact. Some of these options include:
- Bioplastics: Made from renewable sources, such as corn starch, sugarcane, cassava, or bacteria. They can be biodegradable or compostable, depending on their composition.
- Compostable materials: They include containers and utensils made from materials that decompose naturally under composting conditions, such as starch, cellulose, polylactic acid, and plant fibers.
- Reusable containers: Such as stainless steel bottles, glass cups and durable food containers.
- Innovative packaging: Alternative packaging is being developed using materials such as fungi, algae, and agricultural waste, which are biodegradable and compostable.
Additionally, the recycling plays a fundamental role. The importance of recycling and reducing plastic use translates into several benefits:
- Preservation of Natural Resources: Reducing plastic use reduces the demand for non-renewable raw materials, preserving natural resources.
- Mitigation of Environmental Pollution: Non-biodegradable plastic pollutes soil, water bodies, and oceans. Recycling and reducing its use helps prevent environmental degradation.
- Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The manufacture and disposal of plastics generate greenhouse gas emissions. By recycling and reducing, these emissions are minimized.
- Biodiversity Protection: Plastic pollution affects fauna and flora, threatening biodiversity. By recycling and reducing, we contribute to the conservation of biological diversity.
- Promoting the Circular Economy: Recycling is part of a circular economy, where materials are reused, reducing dependence on virgin resources and minimizing waste.
It is crucial that we all become aware of the use of plastic and look for more sustainable alternativesIf each of us makes small changes to our lifestyles, we can have a positive impact on reducing plastic waste and, consequently, on the health of the planet.
