Effects of plastic on the environment-: Nowadays, the use of plastic is increasing rapidly. From soda bottles, grocery bags, to other plastic materials, we can see a massive use of plastic daily. Therefore, we can see a significant Effects of plastic on the environment.
Most plastics consist of materials like petrochemicals. The most vital drawback of the effects of plastic on the environment is that it can cause litter and Pollution. Therefore, human beings can face a few difficulties due to the harmful effects of plastic on the environment.
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Effects of Plastic on the Environment | Causes of Plastic Pollution
Those materials that don’t break down easily can have long-term harmful effects on plants, animals, and people. Here, we have given five effects of plastic on the environment.
- Negative Effects on Human Health
According to the research, scientists have found about 114 marine species that contain microplastics. BPAs remain in most plastic items that come in direct contact with food and metabolize in the liver.
It is one of the most negative effects of plastic on the environment, especially on human health. It can create Bisphenol A in the human body.
- The food Chain gets imbalanced
Usually, the size of the plastic can be small or large. These can affect the smallest organisms like plankton also.
As soon as the organisms get poisoned due to plastic ingestion, it causes issues for animal life.
- Groundwater Pollution
The worst effects of plastic on the environment is that it can pollute the groundwater. Usually, most of the pollution can be seen in the oceans. Therefore, the lives of sea animals also get affected.
- Land Pollution
We can see plastics dumped in landfills that further interacts with water and forms harmful chemicals. As soon as these harmful chemicals go deep into the ground, it will degrade the water quality.
We can see plastics get stuck in the land surfaces. It is the most detrimental effects of plastic on the environment.
- Air Pollution
Many times, you can see that people are burning plastic debris to reduce wastes. But it causes air pollution due to the release of poisonous chemicals. It can cause the harmful effects of plastic on the environment.
Causes of Plastic Pollution
- Plain Old Trash
People use milk cartons, water bottles. And after using these, they throw it here and there. Therefore, it will increase the harmful effects of plastic on the environment.
- Overused
Getting plastic at cheap rates is also one of the major reasons for plastic Pollution. People nowadays use plastics at huge rates. And the demand for plastics is getting increased for urbanization and population growth.
- Takes a lot of time to get decomposed
The chemical bonds that the plastics contain are very powerful and long-lasting. Usually, it takes time to decompose from 500 to 600 years. But it depends on the type of plastics.
- Fishing Nets
People use plastic nets to catch fishes in the river, ocean, and many places. Therefore, it increases plastic Pollution.
- Disposing of Plastic and Garbage
When we keep the wastes in one place for many years, the pollutants gradually enter into the land that causes plastic pollution.
- Nature Caused
Wind also causes plastic Pollution by carrying the wastes and transporting them from one place to another. Sometimes, the plastic materials are carried away by the rains into sewers, streams, and rivers.
Types of Plastic Pollution
These are several types of plastics because of which it may cause different types of plastic Pollution.
- 1) Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE)
- 2) High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- 3) Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC – U)
- 5) Polypropylene (PP)
- 6) Polystyrene or Styrofoam (PS)
Recycle of Plastic How it Works
If we want to keep our human being protected and safe, therefore it becomes vital for us to recycle plastics.
Steps to Recycle Plastic
We can reduce the amount of plastic Pollution by manufacturing new plastic products. Here, we have given six steps that will let you know how the recycling of plastic works.
Step 1: Collection of Waste Plastic
First, what we need to do is to collect the wastes from all sides that we can see in our respective areas. It may seem like easy work, although it isn’t. For this, we need to keep recycling bins in nearby offices, schools, colleges, public locations, residential areas, and industrial zones.
Step 2: Sorting of Plastics into Categories
As soon as we have collected the plastics, we need to sort them into different categories. You can differentiate it according to size, color, thickness, and use.
Step 3: Washing to Remove Impurities
Then, you need to take the help of the recyclers to wash those plastic materials in terms of removing impurities. Besides, glue and additional chemicals can also be removed with the help of this. Effects of plastic on the environment
Step 4: Shredding and Resizing
As soon as we have done the washing process, we need to shred and resize it. People use this method to reduce the plastic into fragments.
Step 5: Identification and Separation of Plastics
When you have resized the plastics, you need to identify those. And then you need to separate plastic materials. In this process, you need to test every plastic item.
Step 6: Compounding
It is the final step in recycling plastics. Here, the plastic particles are transformed into materials that manufacturers can reproduce.
Which Country Recycles the Most Plastic
In recent times, Switzerland is playing a leading role with the highest rate of recycling plastics. However, here we have given a list of a few countries by following which you can know their recycling rates.
| Country | Recycling Rate |
| Austria | 63% |
| Germany | 62% |
| Taiwan | 60% |
| Singapore | 59% |
| South Korea | 49% |
| The United Kingdom | 39% |
| Italy | 36% |
| France | 35% |
| The United States | 34% |
