The Impact of Plastic Waste to Water Pollution

Water Pollution Program Report

Andy Le

1
 Table of Contents

1. Abstract 3
2. Water Pollution by Plastic Waste 4
3. Raising the Awareness of the People, Economical Subsidies and Tax will
prevent the Water Pollution by Plastic Waste 5
3.1 Raising the awareness of using and treating plastic waste of the people 5
3.2 Economical Subsidies and Tax rate 6
4. Conclusion 6
References 8

2
 The Impact of Plastic Waste to Water Pollution
1. Abstract
Water contamination is one of the topics that is gaining a lot of attention these days. It is not
simply a national issue; it is a global issue. Water contamination endangers human health and
quality of life. W. H. Auden, a British poet, famously said, "Thousands have lived without love,
but not one without water." Despite the fact that we all know water is essential for life, we
continue to waste it. Approximately 80% of the world's wastewater is thrown back into the
environment, mainly untreated, contaminating rivers, lakes, and seas (Denchak).
There are many causes of water pollution. One of the causes is pollution by plastic waste. Plastic
pollution has emerged as one of the most urgent environmental concerns, since the world's
ability to cope with it has been overwhelmed by the fast expanding manufacturing of throwaway
plastic items. Plastic pollution is particularly evident in poor Asian and African countries, where
waste collection systems are sometimes ineffective or non-existent. However, the industrialized
world, particularly in nations with poor recycling rates, has difficulty adequately collecting waste
plastics. Plastic garbage has grown so pervasive that efforts have been made by the United
Nations to draft a global convention (Parker). Educating people about environmental
conservation is one approach for preserving the environment for future generations. Encourage
people to participate in volunteering activities to collect garbage at the beach or river. Many
scientists and conservationists, like the National Geographic Society, believe that the solution is
to prevent plastic garbage from entering rivers and seas in the first place (Parker). Encourage
consumers to use recycled products. This may be done by considering the short life of
throwaway packaging, and a reduction in the production of unneeded single-use plastics. In
addition, economical subsidies and tax rates also help to reduce the plastic waste. Governments
can also apply taxes to discourage the manufacture or use of single-use plastics, or give tax
breaks, subsidies, and other fiscal incentives to encourage alternatives to single-use plastic goods
(“4 ways”).

3
2. Water Pollution by Plastic Waste
Since the early 1950s, researchers estimate that over 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic have been
manufactured. Approximately 60% of that plastic ended up in a landfill or the natural
environment. Plastic manufacturing has expanded at a greater rate than any other material since
the 1950s (More). We've also witnessed a movement away from the manufacturing of long-
lasting plastic and toward polymers designed to be discarded after a single use. Over 99 percent
of plastics are made from chemicals sourced from oil, natural gas, and coal, all of which are
polluting, non-renewable resources. If current trends continue, the plastics industry may account
for 20% of global oil use by 2050. These single-use plastic items may be found almost anywhere.
They've become a part of many of our everyday lives. Approximately 8 million tons of plastic
trash flows into the oceans each year from coastal regions. That equates to placing five garbage
bags full of rubbish on every foot of shoreline throughout the planet (Parket). Plastics frequently
contain additives that make them stronger, more flexible, and longer lasting. However, many of
these chemicals can extend the life of items if they become litter, with some estimations ranging
from 400 years to break down.

Figure 4. Shocking Facts Plastic Pollution (Rinkesh)

4
Plastics also leach into water, contaminating it with harmful chemicals and endangering human
and animal health. Discarded plastic bags from our throw-away society clog storm drains and
culverts, slowing water movement and exacerbating bank erosion. Micro plastics have been
found in water all around the world, including our rivers, lakes, and seas. Micro plastics in these
streams wind up in the water we drink and the seafood we eat, including shellfish (Podger).

3. Raising the Awareness of the People, Economical Subsidies and

Tax will prevent the Water Pollution by Plastic Waste
People need to look back at their actions and actions with the natural environment and
implement measures to overcome pollution and restore nature.

3.1 Raising the awareness of using and treating plastic waste of the people

This can be considered as a decisive factor for the improvement and protection of water
resources in nature. Most people think that the lack of awareness about the environment is just
"salt out of the sea" and has little impact on the environment. However, there is a problem that
we are facing: The huge plastic waste in the sea is living proof. All waste gatherings are dumped
into the sea and ocean, directly affecting the environment and marine life. Therefore, educating
each person's sense of responsibility and responsibility for future generations is a key and
important issue. How can people change that mindset? If they change their bad habits, many
problems related to the environment will be solved.

Encourage people to participate in volunteering activities to collect garbage at the beach or river.
Participate in or organize a beach or waterway cleanup to help eliminate plastics from the ocean
and prevent them from entering in the first place. This is one of the most immediate and
gratifying methods to combat plastic waste in the ocean (Hutchinson). People may go to the
beach or waterway and collect plastic garbage on their own or with friends or family. People can
participate in a cleanup organized by a local group or an international event such as the
International Coastal Cleanup.
Encourage consumers to use recycled products. Micro bead-containing products should be
avoided. In recent years, tiny plastic particles known as "microbeads" have become a significant
cause of ocean plastic pollution. Micro beads may be found in certain face scrubs, toothpastes,

5
and body washes, and they easily infiltrate our seas and rivers via sewer systems, affecting
hundreds of marine species. Limiting the use of food bags and plastic packaging is also an
effective way to protect the water environment. Therefore, the people should avoid using bags
used once and then thrown away, such as fast food containers, plastic cups, etc. When shopping,
people should bring their bags to the store to protect the environment. The government
encourages people to use recyclable products. Instead of using products only used once and then
thrown away or plastic packaging pollutes the soil and water environment. Use the method of
taking advantage of any product that you can reuse. This action will contribute to reducing a
large amount of waste in the environment. At the same time, people will enjoy their creativity in
front of recycled items.

3.2 Economical Subsidies and Tax rate

Governments can also apply taxes to discourage the manufacture or use of single-use plastics or
give tax breaks, subsidies, and other fiscal incentives to encourage alternatives to single-use
plastic goods. Portugal imposed a €0.10 (about $0.12) per bag fee on manufacturers in 2015.
After four months, the use of these bags had dropped by 74%. Denmark, also, implemented
weight-based packing tax levies in 1999. Different rates apply to different types of plastic
packaging, with recycled plastics having the lowest rate and primary plastics having the highest
rate. Denmark's decrease in paper and plastic consumption is expected to be approximately 70%
with the implementation of the carrying bag fee. Portugal and Denmark, respectively, have
utilized these economic mechanisms effectively to boost the usage of reusable and recycled
items. Taxes and incentives can be applied to certain enterprises (such as supermarkets or plastic
manufacturers) or specific items (like plastic coffee cup lids or soda bottles) (“4 ways”).
Economic incentives can also be used by governments to encourage producers to utilize
alternatives to plastic (such as sugar cane to make plastic bags) or to generate income to support
plastic waste cleanup operations.

4. Conclusion

Polluted water is the primary source of a variety of human ailments, and in the long term, it is
one of the agents that destroy the human body and living environment. As a result of this
awareness, the efforts of each individual and organization to improve the situation of water

6
pollution have been promoted and expanded. One method for protecting the environment for
future generations is to educate people about environmental conservation. Encourage individuals
to join in voluntary activities such as rubbish collection at the beach or river. Encourage the
usage of recycled items by customers. Furthermore, economic subsidies and tax rates aid in the
reduction of plastic trash. Governments can also impose taxes to discourage the production or
use of single-use plastics, as well as provide tax breaks, subsidies, and other fiscal incentives to
encourage the adoption of alternatives to single-use plastic items.

7
 References
“4 Ways to Reduce Plastic Pollution.” World Resources Institute, www.wri.org/insights/4-ways-
reduce-plastic-pollution. Accessed 8 Aug. 2021.
Denchak, Melissa. “Water Pollution: Everything You Need to Know.” NRDC,
www.nrdc.org/stories/water-pollution-everything-you-need-know. Accessed 22 July
2021.
Hutchinson, Brian. “7 Ways To Reduce Ocean Plastic Pollution Today.” Oceanic Society, 12
July 2021, www.oceanicsociety.org/resources/7-ways-to-reduce-ocean-plastic-pollution-
today.
“More than 8.3 Billion Tons of Plastics Made: Most Has Now Been Discarded.” ScienceDaily,
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170719140939.htm. Accessed 8 Aug. 2021.
Parker, Laura. “The World’s Plastic Pollution Crisis Explained.” Environment, 3 May 2021,
www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-pollution.
Podger, Pam. “How Does Plastic Pollution Harm Water?” Thewatershed.Org, 2 July 2019,
thewatershed.org/how-does-plastic-pollution-harm-water.
Rinkesh. “71+ Shocking Facts About Pollution That Are Seriously Eye-Opening.” Conserve
Energy Future, 30 July 2020, www.conserve-energy-future.com/various-pollution-
facts.php.