Plastic Industry: Polluting Our Planet?

Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental issue that has attracted increasing attention due to the overwhelming rise in plastic production and the material's persistence in the environment. Plastics have revolutionised various industries and offered numerous conveniences, but their single-use nature and improper disposal have led to significant pollution concerns. With an annual production of over 460 million metric tons, the plastic industry contributes to the pollution of all ecosystems, including land, freshwater, and marine environments. The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the environment, potentially affecting human health and economies, particularly in developing nations with inadequate waste management systems. As plastic pollution is a global issue, addressing it requires systemic transformations, improved waste management, reduced single-use plastic manufacturing, and a transition to a circular economy.

Plastic waste in oceans

The sources of plastic waste in oceans are diverse, but one significant contributor is improper waste management. In many parts of the world, plastic waste is not collected or disposed of properly, leading to littering and leakage into waterways. This problem is particularly acute in middle-income countries, where plastic consumption is increasing rapidly but waste management systems struggle to keep up. As a result, most plastic emissions come from these nations.

Rivers play a crucial role in transporting plastic from land to sea. It has been identified that 1000 rivers contribute to 80% of the plastic emitted from rivers into the oceans. These rivers make up just 1% of all rivers worldwide, highlighting the disproportionate impact of certain waterways. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located halfway between Hawaii and California, is a stark example of the consequences of plastic pollution. It contains an estimated 100 million kilograms of plastic, with plastic mass outnumbering marine life by 180 times.

The impact of plastic waste in oceans is devastating for marine life. Seabirds, sea turtles, seals, and other marine mammals often ingest plastic or become entangled in it, leading to injuries and fatalities. Critically endangered species, such as the Hawaiian monk seal and the Steller sea lion, are among those affected. Plastic pollution also alters marine habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems' ability to adapt to climate change and impacting millions of people's livelihoods and food production capabilities.

Addressing the issue of plastic waste in oceans requires a multifaceted approach. While local and global organizations are working tirelessly to clean up our oceans and rivers, it is clear that preventative measures are also needed. The United Nations Environment Assembly's resolution "End plastic pollution: towards an International legally binding instrument" is a positive step towards addressing plastic pollution throughout its entire lifecycle. Additionally, public awareness and individual efforts to reduce plastic consumption can collectively make a significant difference in tackling this global crisis.

Plastic's impact on human health

Plastic pollution is a global issue, with an estimated 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste leaking into aquatic ecosystems each year. The impact of plastic pollution on human health is an area of growing concern, and while the full extent of its effects is not yet fully understood, there is evidence of significant risks and harm.

The production, use, and disposal of plastics have all contributed to environmental contamination. Plastic waste is often mismanaged, with a quarter of plastic waste neither recycled, incinerated, nor disposed of in sealed landfills. This mismanagement leads to plastic leaking into the environment, with plastic pollution found in every ecosystem, from the Antarctic tundra to tropical coral reefs. The persistence of plastic pollution is a key concern, with plastic taking between 100 to 1,000 years or more to decompose, depending on environmental conditions. As plastic breaks down, it fragments into microplastics, which are plastic particles ranging in size from five millimeters to one nanometer. These microplastics are pervasive, found in the air, water, and soil, and are ingested and inhaled by humans, leading to a range of adverse health effects.

The health risks associated with microplastics are an area of active research. A 2021 study found that human cells exposed to contaminated drinking water, seafood, and table salt exhibited cytotoxicity (cell death), allergic reactions, and tissue damage. Additionally, microplastics have been detected in the placenta, raising concerns about potential impacts on fetal development. The long-term effects of microplastic exposure are unknown, but due to their persistence in the environment and human body, the impact could be long-lasting.

Another concern is the release of endocrine disruptors by microplastics. These endocrine disruptors can mimic or interfere with hormones, leading to reproductive, growth, and cognitive impairments. The medical community has linked endocrine disruption to thyroid, breast, and prostate cancer. Furthermore, microplastic particles can become lodged in airways, although the full impact of this is yet to be understood.

Vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, and marginalized communities, are particularly at risk from the health impacts of plastic pollution. Children are more susceptible to the adverse effects of plastic pollution, with increased risks of prematurity, birth defects, neurodevelopmental impairment, impaired lung growth, and childhood cancer.

The plastic pollution crisis demands a systemic transformation towards a circular economy, addressing the unsustainable production and disposal of plastics to mitigate the health risks posed to humans and the environment.

Plastic's impact on wildlife

Plastic pollution has become ubiquitous in natural and built environments, and poses a threat to wildlife. The annual production of plastics has increased nearly 230-fold in the last 70 years, from two million tonnes in 1950 to 460 million tonnes in 2019. The world produces around 350 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, and an estimated one to two million tonnes of plastic enters the oceans annually.

Plastic pollution can alter habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems' ability to adapt to climate change. It also directly affects the millions of animals that ingest it or get entangled in it. Plastic ingestion can block digestive tracts or pierce internal organs in wildlife. It can also choke and starve animals by making them feel full from eating plastic. In some cases, plastic consumption can lead to a reduction in stomach storage volume, making it difficult for animals to eat. Plastic debris does not decompose but breaks down into tiny plastic particles, known as microplastics. These microplastics have been found in hundreds of species, including 86% of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird species, and 43% of all marine mammal species. Tests have confirmed that microplastics can cause liver and cell damage, as well as disruptions to reproductive systems.

Wildlife can easily get trapped and entangled in plastics, preventing them from being able to hunt for food or defend themselves from predators. If they get their heads stuck in plastic containers, animals can suffer from overheating, suffocation, dehydration, starvation, and eventual death. Plastic can also physically wound animals, sometimes even resulting in the loss of limbs. Birds, in particular, can have their ability to fly and hunt impeded by plastics.

Microplastics are also a major concern for terrestrial animals, as they can leech into the soil and nearby water sources from landfills and other environments. A 2020 study found that terrestrial microplastic pollution has led to a decrease in soil fauna. Microplastics have even been found in people, meaning that this is a problem that affects humans as well as wildlife.

Plastic recycling

The plastic recycling process is a complex, reverse supply chain that begins with consumers tossing empty containers into recycling bins. Haulers then collect these materials and take them to a material recovery facility (MRF) where they are sorted into categories like aluminium, paper, and different types of plastic. The recyclables are then loaded onto a conveyor belt and go through pre-sorting, where workers pull out non-recyclable materials. These non-recyclable items are called contaminants and can increase the cost of recycling, injure workers, and damage machinery. Therefore, it is important that residents and businesses follow guidelines on what can and cannot be recycled and avoid "wishcycling", which is putting the wrong materials into the recycling bin, hoping they will be recycled instead of trashed.

After pre-sorting, the materials are sorted further by size and shape, and then by material type. Large cardboard is pulled off first, followed by flat, 2D paper materials, while 3D containers fall through the screen. Metals are sorted using their magnetic and conductive properties, and glass is crushed and sifted.

Once sorted, the plastic materials are then recycled either mechanically or through feedstock recycling. Mechanical recycling involves melting and reforming plastic into other items, which can cause polymer degradation at the molecular level. This process requires sorting by colour and polymer type, which can be complicated and expensive. Feedstock recycling converts waste plastic into its starting chemicals, which can become fresh plastic. This method involves higher energy and capital costs.

Despite the existence of recycling processes, plastic recycling has been criticised for not being a sufficient solution to the plastic waste problem. The plastics industry has been accused of lobbying for the expansion of recycling programmes, even though research showed that most plastic could not be economically recycled. Documents uncovered by the Center for Climate Integrity revealed that plastic makers, including oil and gas companies, knew that recycling was not a viable solution to handle increasing amounts of waste. The industry has been criticised for using recycling as a public relations tool to champion sustainability while continuing to promote the demand for plastic products, which are made from fossil fuels.

Plastic waste management

Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue. The world produced approximately 367 million metric tons of plastic waste in 2020, and this number is expected to increase in the coming years. The production of plastics has increased nearly 230-fold in the last 70 years, with the annual production reaching 460 million tons in 2019. This rapid growth in plastic production has led to a significant amount of waste, with an estimated 350 million tons of plastic waste generated annually.

The mismanagement of plastic waste is a significant contributor to plastic pollution. Mismanagement refers to waste that is not recycled, incinerated, or disposed of in controlled landfills. It is estimated that about a quarter of plastic waste is mismanaged globally, and this tends to be higher in low-to-middle-income countries due to poorer waste management infrastructure. As a result, plastic pollution has become ubiquitous in natural and built environments, with microplastics found in every ecosystem on the planet.

To address the plastic waste crisis, a systemic transformation is necessary to transition to a circular economy. Sustainable Management of Plastics, as outlined by the US EPA, promotes an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable approach to using and reusing plastic throughout its lifecycle. This includes reducing plastic waste generation and implementing proper collection and disposal systems to protect human health and the environment.

International cooperation is also crucial in tackling plastic pollution. The Basel Convention, for example, is an international agreement that provides guidance for better management of plastic waste. Additionally, the Parties to the Basel Convention adopted technical guidelines in May 2023 for the environmentally sound management of plastic waste. These collective efforts aim to address the plastic waste crisis and mitigate its impact on the environment and human health.

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