Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing issues that humanity is facing. There are several negative effects, but a number of solutions can be implemented to address this complication.
An increased amount of plastic waste can have detrimental consequences on marine life and humans. Due to improper disposal practices, a vast volume of trash finds its way into streams, rivers, seas, and even oceans. It is carried by global water currents, causing the entanglement and starvation of many marine creatures and sometimes their death. Another repercussion can be seen in people’s lives. In other words, individuals consume different types of marine animals, such as fish, oysters, mussels, and shrimps, which contain microplastics in their digestive systems and even in their bodies, making their way to people’s stomach. These particles can harm human organs, sometimes blocking their intestines and piercing their organs, and in some cases, this can cause fatal situations.
Turning to possible solutions, “3Rs”- reduce, reuse, and recycle – can tackle this problem. Nowadays, single-use plastics are being used more than ever before, but they are non-biodegradable and it takes them hundreds years to break down. The easiest way to solve this problem is to reduce the consumption of such materials, and they should be used more than once. Another option can be recycling, but it is neglected by many nations. If countries can introduce much more reliable recycling processes, the amount of waste plastic could be reduced. For example, Singapore is considered one of the cleanest country in the world, as it recycles domestic waste every single day.
In conclusion, plastic garbage can pose a threat to sea creatures and humans if it is not managed well, yet the aforementioned solutions can mitigate this concern.