Background / References
The convenience plastics provide, has paved the way for our throw-away lifestyle; single-use plastics account for at least 40% of the plastic produced every year. Single use items including plastic bags, cutlery, food wrappers, have a lifespan of mere minutes to hours, yet they linger in our environment for several hundred years.
The little triangle symbol on plastics means 'recycle'. However, just because it carries the "recycle" symbol doesn't mean it gets recycled or can be recycled. The number in the triangle refers to the resin code, indicating the type of plastic.
People have been misguided all along; with the recycling symbol, we are led to believe and assume that when used plastics are conveniently tossed in recycling bins, they can be turned into new things. In reality, we are only "wishcycling", while less than 10% is actually recycled.
"If the public thinks that recycling is working, then they are not going to be as concerned about the environment," Larry Thomas, former president of the Society of the Plastics Industry, known today as the Plastics Industry Association and one of the industry's most powerful trade groups in Washington, D.C., told NPR. www.npr.org
Plastics recycling requires collecting, sorting and melting all of which are expensive. Besides, recycling degrades plastics.
On the other hand, new plastics are simply cheaper to produce and virgin plastics are of better quality as they are made fresh from oil and gas. This undermines the viability of plastics recycling.
The WWF and Zoological Society of London (ZSL)’s biennial Living Planet Report 2020 indicates that "On average, global populations of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles plunged by 68% between 1970 and 2016".
Though this decline in animal population is not solely attributed to plastic pollution (human population growth, overconsumption, deforestation and agriculture are other contributing factors), plastics are definitely affecting animals, wildlife and marine life as they get caught in or ingest plastics which sickens and kills them. Plastic kills.
Of course, we are also not spared from the effects of plastic pollution
Plastics get broken down in land and oceans into microplastics; it even reaches agricultural soil and makes its way to our plates. Microplastics have also made their way into the air we breathe and the water we drink.
It is now common to find articles such as ones below:
“Microplastics Are Literally Raining on Our National Parks and Wilderness Areas. According to a new study, up to 300 million bottles’ worth of plastic particles per year landed on 11 remote protected areas in the West.”
"Individuals who meet their recommended water intake through only bottled sources may be ingesting an additional 90000 microplastics annually, compared to 4000 microplastics for those who consume only tap water.”
"Microplastics revealed in the placentas of unborn babies. Health impact is unknown but scientists say particles may cause long-term damage to fetuses"
“Our body likely flushes out some microplastics through urine, bile, feces and other bodily functions, according to a 2018 review of current research on microplastics and human health. However, according to Rochman, research in animals has shown it’s possible for some plastics to pass from the airway or gastrointestinal tract into the blood or lymphatic system, spreading to and accumulating in other organs.”
"How to Eat Less Plastic. Each of us might ingest up to a credit card’s worth of plastic weekly through food and water. Here, how to minimize exposure."
"There are studies that show plants are now uptaking microplastics through their roots," Hocevar explained. "And so things that we think of as the epitome of healthy food — an apple or a carrot — may actually have microplastics in every bite."
Campaigns to reduce the use of single plastics that encourage, coerce, evoke feelings of guilt and even shame, exist; new laws may be passed to let manufacturers & producers of plastic shoulder some responsibility but simultaneously we also need to raise consumer’s awareness.
Now that the problem of plastic pollution has already reached crisis proportions the message has to get to more people; not just once, or twice but constant, consistent reminders about the hazards of plastics in the form of warning labels ought to reach people each time they use products that come in plastic.
Until scientists successfully figure out ways to recycle plastics infinitely and until plastic waste actually becomes a resource, to meaningfully address the issue of plastic waste, we need to raise public awareness about plastic pollution crisis.