Plastic, the ubiquitous component of modern life, is having a severe impact on our planet and its inhabitants. While plastics have their benefits, from facilitating food preservation to enabling healthcare advancements, their overuse and improper disposal are causing severe environmental and health problems.
The Impact of Plastic Waste on the Environment
Plastics are durable, lightweight, and resistant to degradation, characteristics that make them a popular material choice for various applications. However, the same traits that lend plastics their usefulness also make them a considerable menace to the environment.
Persistent Pollutants: Microplastics and Nanoplastics
When plastic items are discarded, they do not decompose like organic materials. Instead, they slowly break down into smaller and smaller pieces through processes like photodegradation, whereby sunlight causes the plastic to become brittle and crack (1). These fragments are known as microplastics (smaller than 5mm) and nanoplastics (smaller than 1µm).
The abundance and persistence of these tiny particles are causing significant environmental problems. Being so small, they can infiltrate almost every niche of the ecosystem. They are found in soils, where they can impact the nutrient cycle and hinder plant growth, and in freshwater and marine environments, where they are ingested by a range of organisms, potentially affecting their survival and reproductive rates (1).
Furthermore, microplastics and nanoplastics are capable of adsorbing and transporting other pollutants, such as heavy metals and organic contaminants, amplifying their negative impact on ecosystems (1).
Oceanic Plastic Pollution
The world’s oceans bear the brunt of plastic pollution. According to a study published in Science Advances, an estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic are entering our oceans every year (2). To put it in perspective, this is like emptying a garbage truck full of plastic into the ocean every minute.
Marine plastic pollution poses significant threats to a variety of sea life. Plastics can be ingested by animals, leading to blockages in their digestive tracts and causing malnutrition or starvation. Plastic debris can also lead to physical harm through entanglement, which can cause injury and restrict movement, impacting feeding and reproduction.
For instance, seabirds like albatrosses and petrels are known to ingest large amounts of plastic, mistaking it for food. This can result in obstruction and damage to their digestive systems, often leading to their death. Sea turtles can mistake floating plastic bags for jellyfish and ingest them, leading to blockages and starvation.
Moreover, plastics serve as floating platforms for invasive species and pathogens, facilitating their spread to new regions and potentially leading to biodiversity loss.
The scale and longevity of the issue make it clear: plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time, and addressing it requires global cooperation and urgent action.
The Impact of Plastic Waste on Human Health
Plastic pollution does not solely harm the environment; it also carries significant implications for human health. As plastics break down into microplastics and nanoplastics, they find their way into our food and water supply, the air we breathe, and potentially our bodies.
Microplastics in Food and Water
A study in the journal Environmental Science & Technology detected microplastics in a range of products we consume daily, including sea salt, beer, and honey (3). The researchers found that the average person could be ingesting approximately 5,000 microplastics annually from sea salt alone.
Moreover, a study commissioned by the World Wildlife Fund and conducted by the University of Newcastle, Australia, estimated that people could be consuming about a credit card’s worth of plastic each week, mainly from drinking water (5). This equates to about 5 grams of plastic, or 260 grams per year.
Inhalation of Microplastics
Microplastics are not just a concern in our food and water. They’re also in the air we breathe. A study published in Environmental Pollution estimated that, in a worst-case scenario, we might inhale 11000 microplastic particles per year (6). This could potentially lead to respiratory diseases, although further studies are needed to confirm this.
Toxic Chemicals in Plastics
Many plastics contain chemical additives like phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA) that give them specific properties. Phthalates are used to soften plastic, while BPA is used to harden it. These chemicals can leach out of the plastic, particularly when heated, and contaminate food and drinks.
Both BPA and certain phthalates are endocrine disruptors, meaning they can interfere with our hormonal systems. The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern about the potential impact of BPA on brain development in infants and young children (4). In adults, exposure to BPA is suspected to be linked to a variety of health problems, including hormonal disorders, reproductive issues, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancer (7).
The full extent of health implications related to plastic ingestion and exposure is still being researched. However, the available evidence indicates that reducing plastic pollution is not only crucial for the environment but also essential for human health.
Steps to a Plastic-Free Life
While the prospect of plastic pollution may be overwhelming, there is a beacon of hope. Everyone, from individuals to families and businesses, can play a crucial part in curbing this global issue. The journey towards a plastic-free life is encapsulated in three actions: reduce, reuse, and recycle.
For Individuals and Families
1. Bring Your Own: Cutting down on single-use plastics is an effective first step. Start by carrying your own reusable shopping bags, thereby eliminating the need for plastic bags. Consider investing in a reusable water bottle and coffee cup, which not only reduces plastic waste but also often earns you a discount at cafes. Bring your own cutlery when eating out, and refuse straws or bring a reusable one if needed.
2. Buy in Bulk: Purchasing from bulk bins reduces the need for packaging. Many stores allow you to bring your own containers, which eliminates plastic waste entirely. This can apply to a variety of products, from food items like grains and spices to household items like laundry detergent.
3. Choose Non-Plastic Materials: Choose items made from sustainable materials instead of plastic. Opt for glass, metal, or wood products. For instance, use bamboo toothbrushes instead of plastic ones, glass or stainless steel containers instead of plastic Tupperware, and cloth or beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap.
For Businesses
1. Sustainable Packaging: One of the primary sources of plastic waste from businesses is packaging. By shifting from plastic to eco-friendly materials like paper, cardboard, or biodegradable alternatives, businesses can significantly reduce their plastic footprint. Innovative packaging solutions like edible or dissolvable packing peanuts or seaweed-based packaging are becoming increasingly available.
2. Corporate Responsibility: Companies can take steps towards sustainability by implementing effective waste management systems, setting company-wide sustainability goals, and participating in community clean-up efforts. Partnering with environmentally responsible vendors can also make a considerable difference in reducing plastic waste.
3. Innovation: Businesses, especially those in the manufacturing sector, can make a significant impact by investing in research and development to create sustainable alternatives to plastic products. From plastic-free glitter to plant-based biodegradable plastics, the opportunities for innovation are abundant.
Taking steps towards a plastic-free life not only contributes to a healthier environment but also drives the demand for more sustainable products and practices. It empowers individuals and businesses to be part of the solution, fostering a culture that values sustainability, innovation, and shared responsibility for our planet.
References
- Cole, M., Lindeque, P., Halsband, C., & Galloway, T. S. (2011). Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment: A review. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 62(12), 2588-2597.
- Jambeck, J.R., Geyer, R., Wilcox, C., Siegler, T.R., Perryman, M., Andrady, A., Narayan, R., Law, K.L., 2015. Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. Science, 347(6223), pp.768-771.
- Kosuth, M., Mason, S. A., & Wattenberg, E. V. (2018). Anthropogenic contamination of tap water, beer, and sea salt. PloS One, 13(4), e0194970.
- World Health Organization. (2011). Joint FAO/WHO expert meeting to review toxicological and health aspects of Bisphenol A: Final report, including report of stakeholder meeting on Bisphenol A. World Health Organization.
- Cox, K. D., Covernton, G. A., Davies, H. L., Dower, J. F., Juanes, F., & Dudas, S. E. (2019). Human Consumption of Microplastics. Environmental Science & Technology, 53(12), 7068–7074.
- Vianello, A., Jensen, R. L., Liu, L., & Vollertsen, J. (2019). Simulating human exposure to indoor airborne microplastics using a Breathing Thermal Manikin. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 8670.
- Rochester, J. R. (2013). Bisphenol A and human health: A review of the literature. Reproductive Toxicology, 42, 132-155.
