Plastic bags being the major component of the trash thrown away, most of it ends up on the streets. Oene Moedt-Foto Natura/Minden via National Geographic Images, Major Corporations and Single-Use Plastics, secluded Pyrenees mountain range and down to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, and research has suggested that human exposure, 4.8 million and 12.7 million metric tons of plastic, one of the most greenhouse gasintensive industries in the manufacturing sector, could reach 1.34 gigatons per year by 2030, an audit of plastic pollution along coastlines. Dont re-wash something if you can wear it again. Some microplastics are even small by design, like the microbeads used in facial scrubs or the microfibers in polyester clothing. Then, the straw got stuck in the turtles nose after she/he tried to cough the straw back out. This form of ban could lead to a reduction in landfill across the country, going a long way to protect the nature and serenity of the area. And cracker plantswhich break, or crack, ethane molecules, a component of natural gas, into the chemical building blocks of plastic productsare energy intensive and highly polluting. Why is plastic bad for the environment? Plastic, in general, is one of the biggest pollutants in the world. Companies are forced to innovate, rethinking their designs and sourcing sustainable materials. Plastic use costs approximately $75 billion a year [16]. When the monsoon rains start, streets get waterlogged just after the first few minutes because the water cannot pass through clogged sewerage pipes. Please share this message with your friends so that together, we can tackle our global plastic problem. These are known to be hormone-disrupting chemicals. This is due to the fact that the plastic tubes are far too lightweight to be recycled in an efficient manner. We can also decrease costs through improved bioprocessing methods, through metabolic engineering and by exploring and harnessing the incredible diversity of bioplastic-making systems that evolution has already created. The cashier usually understands, only had to do what instructed and what most customers expect (unfortunately) from him or her. its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. In the United States alone, statistics reach up to 12 million barrels of oil that are used each year to produce even more plastic bags 100 billion more, to give you the precise number [5]. (Its also important to remember that waste management is just one part of the global materials cycle. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Many of the chemicals in plastics are known endocrine disruptors,and research has suggested that human exposure could cause health impacts including hormonal imbalances, reproductive problems like infertility, and even cancer. Plastic straws are not the first iteration of straws. This means that you are not consuming more resources every time you need to carry your groceries home. About half the cost of making biodegradable polymers is the cost of feedstock. 2. By simply using less plastic, you can help keep marine life from eating and getting entangled in garbage. This strategy has been adopted by some countries and municipalities so far and has proven to greatly reduce plastic bag usage by consumers. Globally, 8 to 10 percent of our current oil supply goes to a plastic bag manufacture [4]. Reducing plastic use is the most effective means of avoiding this waste (and the impacts linked to plastic production and use). Microplastics are plastic debris that measures less than five millimetres, or 0.2 inches, in diameter. Have you ever seen endangered sea turtles hatch? Banning straws may confer 'moral license' allowing companies and their customers to feel they have done their part. Talk to the owners of the restaurants you frequent. Plastic utensils are convenient and straws are fun for kids, but much of that plastic eventually winds up in a landfill or as litter. Leape has long been a leader in ocean conservation efforts. Plastic bags. There is only one requirement these plastic bags need to be dry and clean, otherwise they contaminate the entire batch and your effort will do more harm than good. Additionally, plastics in our digestive tract may affect absorption of some important trace elements (like iron) which we need for maintaining proper health [13]. Cause of environmental pollution 2. The first country to ban single-use plastic bags was Bangladesh in 2002 when plastic bag litter clogged drainage channels and contributed to destructive floods. This means that the average consumption of plastic bags per person dropped from 328 bags per year to just 21 [20]. Plastic bag litter has even caused great problems in some areas. Plastics bags are not so much necessary that man cannot live without it. Single use plastics wreak havoc on wildlife and the earth. As a result, the actual recycling rate for plastic bags globally is between 5 to 15 percent, while in the United States it makes only 1 percent a year [17]. Though plastica chain of synthetic polymers, essentiallywas invented in. Theyre in about a quarter of the seafood in our markets, and even in table salt. You probably already saw the video, but if you didnt, you can watch it below (WARNING: Graphic Content): Supporters of plastic straw bans claim that the ban will help reduce our use of single-use plastics. Avoid individually packaged goods, like snack packs. We do not know the full impact of microplastics exceeding the mass of plankton in the ocean. Individual actions can lead to collective actions. According to the United States National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration, microplastics are so small that they move straight through water filtration, Read More What Are Microplastics and Why Are They a Concern? But only a few of us realize that each time we accept those disposable plastic grocery bags at store checkout, we actively participate in wasting energy and depleting non-renewable resources. Made from fossil fuels 3. For many of us it is hard to imagine that something as small as a plastic bag can actually cause flooding, but residents of some cities in Bangladesh have been struggling with this problem every monsoon season for the past two decades [3]. Paper straws cannot be recycled in any way. Here are a few more tips for ridding your life (and your community) of single-use plastics for good. They also arent accepted by recycling facilities because they can jam recycling machinery (due to their small size). Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links on this site may be referral or affiliate links. LEAPE:There are two clear imperatives. The people of Macon, Georgia, saw through it. Reusable shopping bags are very durable and can be reused many times over the course of their useful life. NDLA National Disability Leadership Alliance: Nothing About Us Without Us. America Needs a Plastics Intervention. The ban also kept them from littering neighborhoods and the environment. For those governments that are opposed to full bans on plastic bags, another option is to institute a plastic bag tax, where consumers or retailers would pay a small fee for each plastic bag. One of the most significant negative effects that plastic bags have on the natural world is that it takes a very long time for them to degrade.In addition, the breakdown of plastic bags in the sun results in the release of hazardous compounds into the surrounding soil, and the combustion of plastic bags results in the release of a poisonous material into the surrounding air, contributing to the problem of ambient air pollution. Buy a metal or bamboo reusable straw. Animals living in the ocean might frequently confuse the plastic for food. Plastic straws are everywhere we look. State Disclosures. You can share this article on social media by using the share buttons below. We all are just trying to do our job well. BY Rob Jordan, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, As Colorado River wanes, water supplies and ecosystems hang in the balance, Riverfront forest restoration can deliver outsized benefits, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, An AI solution to climate models gravity wave problem, Beavers will become a bigger boon to river water quality as U.S. West warms. Search for jobs related to Reasons why smoking should be banned articles or hire on the world's largest freelancing marketplace with 22m+ jobs. You could either discuss with a store manager a possibility of bringing your own containers for these products. A calf had to be put down because of indigestion caused by 8 plastic bags in its stomach. Killing wildlife 5. 12 Reasons for Banning Plastic Bags: Plastic Bags Are Made With Non-Renewable Energy Plastic Bags Use Up Lots Of Energy Plastic Bags End Up In The Ocean Beach Plastic Litter Is On The Rise Plastic Bags Kill Millions Of Animals Every Year Plastic Takes A Long Time To Disintegrate Plastic Is Harming The Ocean's Coral Plastic Bags Contain Toxins Although single-use plastic pollution accumulates most visibly on our streets, in fact our water suffers even more. Such changes could have outsized benefits for vulnerable populations that rely on rivers for their water supply. The problem with plastic straws is that they are one of the biggest causes of unnecessary plastic pollution. High costs for cleanup 8. (Photo credit: Shutterstock). According to estimates made by scientists, there are 7.5 million polluting straws around the shores of the United States, and anywhere from 437 million to 8.3 billion plastic straws throughout the coastlines of the rest of the globe. Simply, refuse them when offered and bring your own reusable bag when shopping. While these countries and municipalities have been making strides in their part of reducing circulation of plastic bags, in total there are 195 countries in the world [19] and the issue of plastic pollution is still getting out of our hands. Participate in beach or river cleanups. A laboratory photograph of microplastics found in the Corsica River in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Maryland, An albatross found dead with a belly full of plastic on Midway Atoll. Do you also have that overflowing kitchen drawer full of plastic bags you bring from your shopping trips? It has been projected that, if current trends continue, by 2050 the plastic in the ocean will outweigh the fish. Straws made of plastic contribute to the pollution of our seas and streams. Litter can be the first stage in a waste stream that enters waterways as plastics tossed on the street are washed away by rain or travel via storm drains into rivers and streams. A 2018 study of coral reefs in the Asia-Pacific has confirmed that plastic waste deposited on coral reefs promotes outbreaks of diseases that gradually destroy whole reef colonies [12]. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Additionally, a plastic straw ban could also act as a gateway into other single-use plastic bans for items like plastic bottles and plastic bags, which are worse for the environment than plastic straws. The most common are inorganic dyes that are added to change the color of plastic bags. What about you? Though plastica chain of synthetic polymers, essentiallywas invented in the mid-19th century, it wasnt until the 1970s that its popularity skyrocketed. Here's a quick list of the ways plastic straws may be harming your health: 1. O This requires the usage of 500 million straws, Straws and other items made of plastic are harmful, Every day in the United States. If youd like to learn more about how plastic straws negatively impact the environment, you can check out this article I wrote about the environmental impact of plastic straws. The second, more fundamental imperative is to get plastics out of our waste stream. Not only is plastic estimated to kill millions of marine animals and seabirds each year, but its also contaminating seafood that humans have relied on for millennia, particularly with microplastics in animals guts. Plastic waste that clogs water drainage channels and river tributaries of many Asian cities increases exposure of residents to water-borne diseases, as it creates a toxic soup that remains stranded in one place for prolonged periods of time. Straws are notorious for being readily blown away by the wind. Gas, bloating, and intestinal discomfort. Most of it is either dumped in landfills or ends up in the ocean. Speak out in support of local plastic bans, whether by calling your local government representative, submitting an op-ed to your citys newspaper, or simply starting conversations with neighbors. "To us, it was the 'gateway plastic' to the larger, more . Starbucks recently announced that it would phase out use of plastic straws by the year 2020. The crisis is so serious that many people are saying that plastic straws should be outlawed. In Germany alone, we use 40 billion plastic straws every year. Then, you should try to explain your reasons for not wanting your products packed in plastic bags. Stanford experts discuss the limitations of these bans and the potential for meaningful change. As a result, they are thrown away and frequently wind up in the ocean, where they pollute the water and eventually kill marine birds, animals, and fish. For example, some disabled people may not be able to properly hold or pick up a cup, so they need to use straws to drink properly. Author: floridadep.gov. Those global companies can be important levers in driving change and shifting to a regenerative, circular economy. NRDCs Eric Goldstein gives the scoop on the latest environmental villain and explains why plastic straws really are a big menace to our oceans. To make matters worse, if plastic straws get into the ocean, they can be mistaken for food by marine animals. When animals ingest plastic, it clogs up their digestive systems, which can easily choke or kill animals like birds or sea turtles. Here are 3 reasons why plastic straws should not be banned, explained in a simple and easy-to-understand manner: 1. This ban has led to an increase in the demand for sustainable plastic alternatives and has also created space for several plant-based materials in the market. Have some dirty clothes that you just wore today? (Source: Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment), Stanford scientists are among a growing number of researchers harnessing artificial intelligence techniques to bring more realistic representations of ubiquitous atmospheric ripples into global climate models. by TFK Kid Reporter Maria Suarez, 10 Bellaire, Texas Plastic straws should not be banned until we can find alternatives that are affordable, environmentally friendly, and acceptable for disabled people. Which brings us to the second part. Martin Grimm/Picture-alliance via Associated Press. Criddle isdirector of StanfordsCodiga Resource Recovery Center,a member ofStanford Bio-Xand an affiliate of thePrecourt Institute for Energy. Harmful to human health 6. The explanation is quite simple. Heres everything you need to know about the most ubiquitous (and avoidable) kind of plastic waste: the kind made to be tossed in mere minutes. Increased awareness about the negative effects of single-use plastics would help the environment a lot more than just a simple plastic straw ban. These examples could go on for a long time. Using a straw directs a concentrated stream of liquid onto a localized area of the teeth, which can cause the enamel to wear away and lead to dental disease. What does occur in most instances is that when out in the environment, the plastic breaks up into tiny microscopic pieces that get deposited in soils (where we grow food) or contaminate waterways. Reduce Aesthetic value of your neighborhood. This means that you need to first educate yourself about the problem. Coca-Cola makes an estimated 110 billion plastic bottles a year. Nearly 20 years ago, a dead pelican was found with its stomach filled with 17 plastic bags [10]. As communities act to ban single-use plastics and individual consumers raise concerns, bigger actors pay attention. Additionally, awareness raising campaigns create a social pressure that should inspire local government and institutions to help in making changes at a bigger scale, like a regional ban or levy. So that free plastic bag isnt so free after all. Read more about us. Unfortunately, such costs are typically not included in most economic analyses, as they are not easy to calculate because the equation would have to involve many indirect variables. The most heartbreaking part of this is that the affected animals are not aware they eat something that will make them feel miserable and will slowly kill them. They store these polymers inside their cells as tiny granules. Greentumble was founded in the summer of 2015 by us, Sara and Ovi. Ultimately, we can further decrease costs and achieve economies of scale through decentralized production systems and perhaps also at large biorefineries. The reason to worry is that scientists do not know how our metabolism and immunity will react to the increased concentration of plastic particles in our system.
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