Non-biodegradable

plastics
M A D E B Y- P R AY R I T, A A R AV,
FIONA, SANVI
What is plastic
pollution?
Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects
and particles in Earth’s environment that adversely
affects wildlife, wildlife habitat, and humans. Plastic
that acts as pollutants are categorised into micro-debris,
meso-debris, or macro-debris, based on size
 What are the effects of plastic
pollution on the environment
and organisms?
Plastic pollution is the accumulation plastic products in the environment to the point where it creates problems.

1. Right now there are as many as 51 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean. In the ocean, plastic pollution can kill marine
mammals directly through entanglement in objects such as fishing gear, but it can also kill through ingestion, by being
mistaken for food.

2. Sunlight and seawater embrittle plastic, and the eventual breakdown of larger objects into microplastics makes plastic
available to zooplankton and other small marine animals.

3. Several coral species have been observed starving as their digestive systems have been blocked by microplastic

4. There are also terrestrial aspects to plastic pollution. Drainage systems become clogged with plastic bags, films, and other
items, causing flooding.

5. Land birds have been found with plastic in their stomachs, and animals that normally feed in waste dumps have had
intestinal blockages from plastic packaging.

6. Plastic also pollutes without being littered—specifically, through the release of compounds used in its manufacture. Some
compounds used in plastics, such as phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) have been
detected in humans and are known to disrupt the endocrine system. Phthalates act against male hormones.
What are the measures that can be taken
prevent plastic pollution
Plastic pollution on land poses a threat to the plants and animals – including humans.
To reduce the threat, it is necessary to take strict actions.
1. Discourage the use of disposable plastics and instead switch to other material products, like paper cups and bags.
2. Stop buying plastic water bottles, around 20 billion plastic bottles are tossed in the trash every year. Instead try carrying
reusable water bottles around.
3. Beauty products contain tiny plastic scrubbers, microbeads, that pass through the water treatment plants. Opting for products
with natural exfoliants will be more friendly.
4. Purchase items secondhand, and start recycling
5. Support a bag tax or ban, urge your elected officials by introducing or supporting legislation that would make plastic-bag use
less desirable.
6. Buy in bulk, considering the product-to-packaging ratio of items, be inclined to select the bigger container instead of buying
several smaller ones over time.
While it is important that we ourselves try to make a difference, it would be more impactful when companies take responsibility to be
eco-friendly as well. They have a much larger carbon footprint, and according to a study, just 100 companies are responsible for 71%
of global emissions. Consumers can pressurize corporations and hold them accountable for their actions. By signing petitions,
boycotting, campaigning and trying to bring in new laws and policies.
The government too should make sure that the industries in the country respond to environmental pressure, by imposing penalties,
tax on commercial use of energy, setting standards that businesses must meet when using natural resources.
 REAL LIFE SITUATION / CASE STUDY

NORTH PACIFIC GARBAGE PATCH

The North Pacific Garbage Patch. The patch was described in a

1988 paper published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA). The description was based on research by
several Alaska-based researchers in 1988 who measured neutronic
plastic in the North Pacific Ocean. Researchers found relatively
high concentrations of marine debris accumulating in regions
governed by ocean currents. The North Pacific Patch is basically
an area of strong ocean gyres, where the garbage gets stuck. The
garbage is made of non-biodegradable plastic such as polyethene
and scientists, till now have literally, "only scratched the surface"
 Summary
Effects:
1. plastic pollution can kill marine mammals directly through
entanglement in objects such as fishing gear, but it can also
kill through ingestion, by being mistaken for food.
2. makes plastic available to zooplankton and other small
marine animals.
3. Land birds have been found with plastic in their stomachs
4. endocrine system happens
5. Phthalates act against male hormones
Solutions:
1. take strict actions
2. Discourage the use of disposable plastics and instead switch
to other material products, like paper cups and bags
3. Stop buying plastic water bottles
4. try carrying reusable water bottles around.
5. products with natural exfoliants will be more friendly
6. Purchase items secondhand
7. start recycling Support a bag tax or ban
 Links
REFERENCE LINK
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s-plastics-our-planet-ecosystems
d https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2873021/
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h https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_pollution
i https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_pollution
a https://www.nrdc.org/stories/10-ways-reduce-plastic-pollution
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f https://medium.com/@chandrapsc10/a-running-list-of-action-on-plastic-pollution-1b09f2163d63
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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d https://plastic-pollution.org/
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g https://www.unenvironment.org/interactive/beat-plastic-pollution/
h https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/22-08-2019-who-calls-for-more-research-into-microplasti
cs-and-a-crackdown-on-plastic-pollution