It is a common notion that “What difference does it make from the actions of a single person?”. This attitude of millions of people across the world is leading to a major crisis to our ecosystems at a global level. The laidback nature of responsible citizens is adding up to the increase in dependence on plastic products in everyday activities. As the demand for synthetic and artificial materials is soaring, enormous number of industries are emerging to supply these hazardous substances. It is high time that we realize our responsibilities and commitments towards our planet to safeguard and secure the future of humans as well as other plant and animal species.
(picture courtesy: plastic pollution – Bing images)
The alarming facts and reality check regarding effects of plastic pollution on our environment are as follows:
• In the past 15 years, almost half of all plastics ever manufactured have been produced. Plastic production exponentially increased, from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 448 million tons by 2015. Production is expected to double by 2050.
• Every year, about 8 million tons of plastic waste escapes into the oceans from coastal nations. That is the equivalent of setting five garbage bags full of trash on every foot of coastline around the world.
• Plastics contain additives that make them stronger, more flexible, and durable. However, many of these additives extend the life of products even after they become litter. Estimates suggest that products remain non-biodegradable and do not break-down for at least 400 years.
• Approximately, 8 percent of the world’s oil production is being consumed to produce and power the manufacturing of plastic. This amount is projected to rise to 20 percent by 2050.
• Plastic production utilizes copious amounts of water and power resources. It takes 22 gallons of water to make one pound of plastic. That means it takes at least double the amount of water to produce a single-use bottle as the amount of water in the actual bottle.
• About 40 percent of plastic produced is only for packaging purposes which is used just once and then discarded. Nearly, a million plastic beverage bottles are sold every minute around the world. Globally, less than a fifth of all plastic is recycled.
• Worldwide, 73 percent of beach litter is single use plastic. Every minute of every day a truckload of plastic is dumped into the ocean. There could be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050.
• In recent years, more than 26.8 million tons of plastic waste was dumped into landfills and this rate is rapidly increasing all over the world.
• One of the major causes of air pollution is combustion of plastic waste that releases persistent and pervasive toxins. Recently, it is recorded that over 9 million premature deaths around the globe are due to poor air quality index and drastic deterioration of ozone layer of atmosphere.
• Studies declared that 90 percent of plant and animal species are consuming plastic bits and microparticles. It is shocking to learn that on an average a person is consuming 70,000 microplastics each year.
