Human Activities And Plastic Pollution In Waterways

Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental issue that affects the planet and its inhabitants. It is caused by the increasing production of disposable plastic products, which are not properly disposed of or recycled. The main source of plastic pollution is land-based, with 80% of plastic in the ocean originating on land. It is often littered or improperly disposed of, ending up in waterways and eventually in the ocean. Plastic pollution has severe consequences, including harm to wildlife, alteration of habitats and natural processes, and impacts on human health. It is a global problem that requires worldwide cooperation and systemic transformation to address.

Littering and improper waste disposal

In addition to littering on land, illegal dumping of household waste near waterways also contributes to plastic pollution in water. This may be more common in areas with a lack of regular trash pickup services or publicly available dumpsters. Once plastic waste enters waterways, it is challenging, if not impossible, to retrieve, especially once it breaks down into microplastics and spreads throughout the water column.

The top illegally dumped items include household garbage, hazardous waste, appliances, mattresses, furniture, and e-waste (unwanted electronics). A study by Keep America Beautiful in 2009 found that 76% of roadway litter comes from motorists and pedestrians intentionally discarding items, while 19.9% comes from unsecured items in vehicles or trash receptacles. Despite progress in reducing roadway litter, it remains a deliberate act, with people littering out of laziness or carelessness.

The convenience and durability of plastics have led to a throw-away culture, with single-use plastics accounting for 40% of plastic production annually. Many lightweight single-use plastic products and packaging materials are improperly disposed of at or near the location where they are consumed. They are dropped on the ground, thrown out of car windows, or heaped onto already full trash bins, immediately polluting the environment. As a result, plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, particularly in developing regions with inefficient or non-existent garbage collection systems.

Inefficient garbage collection systems

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that many single-use plastic products and packaging materials, which account for about 50% of all plastics produced, are not properly disposed of. Instead, they are often discarded haphazardly, ending up in the environment where they contribute to plastic pollution. This is due to the fact that single-use plastics are designed to be lightweight and convenient, but this very feature makes them easily susceptible to improper disposal methods such as being dropped on the ground, thrown out of car windows, or added to already overflowing trash bins.

The consequences of inefficient garbage collection systems are far-reaching. Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, with the rapidly increasing production of disposable plastic products outpacing the world's capacity to manage them effectively. Every year, approximately 19 to 23 million tonnes of plastic waste escape into oceans, rivers, and lakes, wreaking havoc on aquatic ecosystems.

The impact of plastic pollution is not limited to the environment; it also directly affects human populations. Plastic waste can alter habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems' ability to adapt to climate change and impacting millions of people's livelihoods, food production capabilities, and social well-being. Furthermore, the improper disposal of plastics contributes to the spread of odours and infectious diseases, causes soil infertility, and contaminates groundwater and drinking water systems.

To address the issue of inefficient garbage collection systems, systemic changes are necessary. This includes improving waste management systems, promoting recycling and responsible product design, and reducing the manufacturing of unnecessary single-use plastics. By transitioning to a circular economy, we can minimize plastic waste and mitigate the environmental, social, and economic consequences of plastic pollution.

Low recycling rates

Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue, with plastic waste finding its way into oceans, rivers, and lakes. The low recycling rates of plastic contribute significantly to this problem. While recycling is often touted as a solution, the reality is that the recycling rates for plastic are generally quite low. In fact, only Northern European countries have achieved plastic recycling rates above 50%.

The low recycling rates of plastic can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, single-use plastic products, which account for about 50% of all plastics produced, are often not properly disposed of. These lightweight items, such as plastic bags and food wrappers, have a very short lifespan but can persist in the environment for hundreds of years. Instead of being placed in designated containers for landfill, recycling, or incineration, they are often discarded haphazardly, immediately becoming a source of pollution.

Another factor contributing to low recycling rates is the nature of plastic itself. Plastic has a low recovery rate compared to other materials like glass, paper, iron, and aluminum. This means it is less efficient and more challenging to reuse recycled plastic in manufacturing processes. Plastic has a low melting point, which poses challenges during the heating and reprocessing stages, making it difficult to remove contaminants.

Furthermore, the effectiveness of recycling as a solution to plastic pollution is questionable. Recycled plastic is typically "properly" disposed of, whereas plastic pollution arises from improper disposal. To address the issue of plastic pollution, a systemic transformation is necessary, including improved waste management systems, better product design, and a reduction in the production of unnecessary single-use plastics.

While recycling can play a role in mitigating plastic pollution, it is evident that low recycling rates are a significant contributor to the problem. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach that targets the production, consumption, and disposal of plastic, with a particular focus on reducing the reliance on single-use plastics and improving proper waste management and disposal practices.

Plastic manufacturing processes

Plastic manufacturing is a complex process that involves several stages, from designing and engineering the product to moulding, shaping, and assembling it. The process varies depending on the type of plastic being used and the intended product. There are four main types of plastics used in manufacturing: thermoplastics, thermosetting plastics, elastomers, and biodegradable plastics. Each type has unique properties and requires specific manufacturing processes to achieve the desired product.

One of the most common plastic manufacturing processes is injection moulding, which accounts for more than 80% of the common plastic items we use daily. In this process, small plastic pellets are melted and formed into a hollow tube (parison). The parison is then clamped into a mould and inflated by pressurised air. Once the plastic has cooled and solidified, the mould is opened, and the finished part is ejected. Injection moulding is a fast and reliable high-volume production method that can produce millions of identical parts quickly and at a low cost.

Another type of moulding process is extrusion moulding, which is used to create long, continuous shapes such as pipes, straws, hoses, and window frames. In this process, plastic is heated and pushed through a heated chamber by a screw and then forced through a die that creates the final shape. The extruded plastic is then cooled and spooled or cut to the desired length.

Rotational moulding, or rotomolding, is used to produce mainly large hollow objects with uniform wall thickness. In this process, plastic powder is poured into the cavity of a mould, which is then placed in an oven and slowly rotated on two axes. Gravity is used to stick the plastic to the tool walls and build up the correct thickness.

Other plastic manufacturing processes include compression moulding, CNC machining, 3D printing, and thermoforming. The choice of manufacturing process depends on various factors such as the type of plastic, the complexity of the design, the desired volume, and the required functionality and aesthetics of the final product.

Industrial fishing

The fishing industry's plastic waste dynamics are complex, and the sources of pollution can be challenging to pinpoint. However, it is clear that fishing plastic waste contributes significantly to marine plastic pollution. This waste can come from various sources, such as single-use plastic packaging and derelict fishing gear, which can entangle and harm marine life.

Derelict fishing gear, also known as "ghost gear," is a significant contributor to plastic pollution in the oceans. It includes any fishing gear that has been lost, abandoned, or discarded at sea. This gear can continue to trap and kill marine animals, including fish, crustaceans, marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds, even when it is no longer under the control of fishermen. Ghost gear can also degrade into microplastics over time, which can be ingested by marine life, leading to health issues and even death.

The impact of industrial fishing on plastic pollution in water highlights the importance of responsible waste management and conservation practices within the industry. It also underscores the need for a systemic transformation towards a circular economy, reducing the reliance on single-use plastics and improving recycling and product design. By addressing the plastic pollution caused by industrial fishing, we can help protect marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of anglers and fisheries that depend on healthy waters.

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