Plastic Pollution: Understanding The Devastating Impact Of Plastic Waste

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues, with rapidly increasing production of disposable plastic products overwhelming the world's ability to deal with them. Plastic is affordable, durable, and flexible, and has become integral to modern life, from packaging to clothing and beauty products. However, the world is struggling to manage the sheer volume of plastic waste, with more than 280 million tonnes of short-lived plastic products becoming waste each year. This waste ends up in landfills, oceans, and the environment, where it takes up to 1000 years to break down, polluting ecosystems, harming wildlife, and threatening human health.

Plastic waste in landfills

One of the primary concerns regarding plastic waste in landfills is the formation and spread of microplastics. As plastic waste degrades, it breaks down into smaller particles, including microplastics, which can be transported by air, water, and living organisms. These microplastics act as carriers of pollutants, absorbing harmful substances and releasing toxic compounds as they age. They have been found to have adverse effects on soil fauna, such as earthworms, and can trigger various adverse effects on the environment. Microplastics can also enter the food chain, with potential health risks for humans and animals. Sewage sludge, often applied to fields as fertiliser, is another way that microplastics end up in our soils.

The disposal of plastic waste in landfills can also lead to the release of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic emissions, such as through the oxidative photodegradation of plastics and the open burning of waste. These toxic substances pose risks to both the environment and human health. Additionally, the presence of landfills near waterways increases the risk of plastic waste entering aquatic ecosystems through leakage, runoff, and flooding. This can have multisectoral impacts on health, the environment, and the economy.

The accumulation of plastic waste in landfills also contributes to the greenhouse gas effect and climate change. The production of plastic is energy-intensive, and the incineration of plastic waste releases toxic substances and heavy metals, further exacerbating air pollution.

Plastic in the ocean

Sources of Plastic in the Ocean

Plastic pollution in the ocean stems from a variety of land and ocean-based sources. One of the primary sources is abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear, which has a high chance of accumulating offshore due to its durability and distance from coastlines. Another significant contributor is single-use plastic products, such as water bottles, takeout containers, and plastic packaging, which are designed to be quickly used and disposed of. These products often end up in the ocean when waste is not properly managed or disposed of. Rivers play a crucial role in transporting plastic from land to the sea, acting as arteries that carry plastic debris to the oceans. Coastal cities in middle-income countries, where plastic consumption is high and waste management systems are inadequate, are hotspots for plastic emissions into the ocean.

Impact of Plastic in the Ocean

Once plastic enters the ocean, it can have devastating effects on marine life and ecosystems. Plastic does not fully biodegrade, and its durability allows it to persist in the ocean for long periods, wreaking havoc on marine life. Marine animals, such as fish, turtles, seals, and crustaceans, suffer direct and harmful consequences from ingesting plastic or becoming entangled in it. Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles, are particularly problematic as they can be mistaken for fish eggs or plankton and consumed by marine organisms. These microplastics can absorb harmful pollutants like pesticides and dyes, further exacerbating their impact on marine life. Additionally, larger plastic objects break down over time, increasing the levels of microplastics in the ocean, which are challenging and costly to remove from the ecosystem.

Addressing the Problem

To effectively tackle the issue of plastic in the ocean, systemic change is necessary. This includes improving waste management infrastructure, encouraging innovation, and providing incentives for businesses to reduce unnecessary plastic use. International cooperation and agreements, such as the UNEA-5.2 resolution, are crucial in addressing this global crisis. Individuals also play a vital role by reducing their plastic consumption, reusing and recycling plastic products, and supporting initiatives that promote sustainable practices.

Microplastics in soil

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, with plastic waste filling our oceans, rivers, and lakes. It is a major driver of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, and it also affects human health, food and water safety, and economic activities. While plastic pollution in oceans often takes centre stage, microplastics in soil are an equally important, yet less visible, concern.

Microplastics are any plastic pieces smaller than 5mm in size, and they are now everywhere, including in our soil. In this context, soil refers to agricultural land, which has been recognised as a major sink of microplastics. The primary sources of microplastics in soil are plastic mulch films used in agriculture, which break down over time, and microfibres from washing clothes. These microplastics can also enter the soil through sewage sludge used as organic fertiliser and plastic drainage pipes and irrigation tubing.

The impact of microplastics on soil ecosystems is still largely unknown, but studies have shown that they can affect the development of plants, the health of soil animals, and basic soil properties. For example, a study by Connor William Russell found that when exposed to microplastics, fewer seeds germinated, and there was a reduction in shoot height and biomass of certain plant and animal species.

Microplastics can also act as a vector for plants to take up more toxic heavy metals from the soil. Additionally, they provide a new microbial habitat, with consequences for bulk soil microbiomes. A study by Susanne Kublik et al. found that microplastics formed a new niche for microbes in the soil, with a specific community composition depending on the type of plastic used. This can have both short-term and long-term consequences for the soil microbiome and associated functions, including nutrient turnover, bacterial transport, and the decomposition of organic matter.

Furthermore, microplastics can enter the food chain through plants and animals. They have been found in various fruits and vegetables, and an average adult consumes between 40,000 and 50,000 microplastic particles per year through plastic-contaminated food. While the long-term health impacts are unknown, the widespread presence of microplastics in our food is a growing concern for health professionals.

To address the issue of microplastics in soil, proper waste management and disposal of plastic products are crucial. Additionally, alternative materials to plastic mulch in agriculture should be explored to reduce soil plastic pollution. International collaboration and research are also needed to better understand the sources of microplastics and their impacts on plant, animal, and human health.

Air pollution from plastic

Plastic is a major contributor to air pollution, which is the most pervasive environmental threat to human health. Air pollution from plastic waste is caused in several ways, from its production to disposal.

Extraction of Oil

Most plastics are made from fossil fuels like oil and natural gas, which release toxic emissions when extracted. Oil and gas drilling releases a host of contaminants into the air, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, ozone, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds. The process of refining crude oil into plastic also emits dozens of pollutants, contributing to smog and haze, and fuelling global warming.

Recycling Industry

Recycling plastic is a step in the right direction to reduce virgin plastic production. However, it can become an issue when it is not done according to strict environmental and workplace standards. Many "recycled" plastics from the USA, for example, are shipped overseas, ending up in informal recycling facilities in South and Southeast Asia that lack safe working conditions and pollution control measures. These facilities emit toxic, plastic-derived emissions, and the workers are exposed to dangerous conditions without proper protective gear.

Incineration of Plastic Waste

The incineration of plastic waste is a significant source of air pollution. About 40% of the world's garbage is burned, and this burning of plastics releases a cocktail of toxic gases, including dioxins, furans, mercury, and polychlorinated biphenyls (BCPs). These pollutants pose a threat to vegetation, human health, and animal health. Dioxins, in particular, are lethal persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that can cause cancer, disrupt the thyroid and respiratory systems, and damage the nervous system. The burning of plastics also releases black carbon (soot), which contributes to climate change and air pollution.

Plastic's Ability to "Off-Gas"

Phthalates are chemicals added to plastics to enhance their structural qualities, such as flexibility and heat resistance. However, phthalates are not chemically bound to plastic and can easily off-gas into the air. These chemicals are endocrine disruptors and have been linked to various health issues, including reduced fertility and asthma. Research shows that many of the microplastics found in our bodies come from the air we breathe. Due to their small size, microplastics can be inhaled and are present in both indoor and outdoor air. These microscopic particles can pass into the bloodstream, leading to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Mitigation Strategies

To address air pollution from plastics, collective efforts are required from governments, communities, and civil society. Strategies should focus on reducing plastic consumption and implementing effective waste management practices to minimise the burning of plastic waste, which is a significant source of toxic emissions.

Plastic's impact on wildlife

Plastic pollution has a devastating impact on wildlife. It is estimated that every year, plastic kills 1 million seabirds and 100,000 sea mammals, turtles, and fish.

Plastic does not biodegrade but instead breaks down into tiny particles known as microplastics, which are less than 5mm long. These microplastics can pass through animals' digestive systems, causing blockages and internal damage, or be expelled without consequence. However, scientists have found plastic fragments in hundreds of species, including 86% of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird species, and 43% of all marine mammal species.

Plastic ingestion can also lead to a reduction in stomach storage volume, causing starvation. Sea turtles, for example, can mistake plastic for food and choke or sustain internal injuries. They can also starve by thinking they are full from eating plastic. Research indicates that half of sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, and new studies find that plastic pollution is so pervasive on many beaches that it is affecting their reproduction.

In addition to ingestion, animals can become trapped and entangled in plastic, preventing them from hunting for food and making them more vulnerable to predators. Plastic can also cause deep cuts and wounds, and for birds, it can impede their ability to fly and hunt.

Microplastics are also a major concern for terrestrial animals. They leech into the soil and nearby water sources from plastic waste in landfills and other environments. A 2020 study found that terrestrial microplastic pollution has led to a decrease in species that live below the surface, such as mites, larvae, and other tiny creatures that maintain the fertility of the land. Chlorinated plastic can release harmful chemicals into the surrounding soil, which can then seep into groundwater and affect the health of species that drink the water.

Overall, plastic pollution poses a significant threat to wildlife, causing deaths, injuries, and disruptions to ecosystems and food chains.

Frequently asked questions