Plastic Waste

What is Plastic Waste?

Plastic trash, also known as plastic pollution, is "the buildup of plastic objects" (such as plastic bottles and other items) in the ecosystem of the Earth that negatively impacts humans, animals, and their habitats. In addition, it alludes to the sizeable quantity of plastic that isn't recycled and winds up in landfills or, at underdeveloped nations, is dumped in uncontrolled dump sites. For instance, more than 5 million tones of plastic are used annually in the UK, yet only 25% of it is recycled.

The three quarters that aren't recycled are released into the environment, where they contaminate our seas and harm our ecology. The bulk of plastic debris generated in less developed nations eventually makes its way to the ocean, putting marine life in particular at risk. Plastic is used to make a great deal of the food and beverages we consume because it is both affordable and durable. Due to the chemical makeup of plastic, however, its sluggish rate of degradation (around 400 years or more) creates a significant obstacle.

If we want to solve the issue of plastic waste and pollution on our planet, we must reduce our use of plastic and increase knowledge of plastic recycling.

From where do we get plastic waste?

Every year, over 300 million tonnes of plastic are generated, half of which is used to manufacture single-use products such as shopping bags, cups, and straws. Plastic garbage, when thrown carelessly, can impact the environment and biodiversity.

Plastic trash primarily enters the environment through improper management, such as open dumping, open burning, and disposal in rivers. Unfortunately, with more than one-fourth of waste being discarded openly and many formal disposal facilities being poorly maintained, plastic litter is on the rise. Even when plastic waste is collected, many countries do not have the capacity to process it. Europe exported one-sixth of its plastic garbage in 2017, primarily to Asia.

Every year, at least 14 million tonnes of plastic wind up in the ocean. Plastic trash is currently the most abundant sort of litter in the ocean, accounting for 80% of all marine debris discovered from the surface to the deep oceans. Plastic can be found on all continent's shorelines, with more plastic garbage found near famous tourist sites and densely populated places.

Land-based causes of plastic debris in the ocean include urban and stormwater runoff, sewer overflows, littering, insufficient waste disposal and management, industrial activity, tyre abrasion, building, and illegal dumping. Plastic pollution in the ocean is mostly caused by the fishing industry, naval operations, and aquaculture.