Plastic is a substance that has fully changed our lives and is now a necessary element of the ultramodern world. Plastic is used in everything from electronics and infrastructure to packaging and household goods.
The Centre for International Environmental Law (CIEL) noted that the annual emissions from 189 coal power plants, or five hundred megawatts, are equal to almost 850 million metric tonnes of greenhouse gasses released into the sky each time from the production and incineration of plastics.
Though there’s no denying its advantages, there are significant and occasionally disregarded costs associated with the disposal of plastics. This blog explores the complex effects of plastic pollution on our economies and societies.
Environmental Damage
Plastic pollution has visible effects that are well acknowledged, such as litter and marine debris, but its effects on the environment go far beyond these surface-level manifestations. The primary source of greenhouse gas emissions from the production of plastic is fossil fuels, which exacerbates climate change.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) projects that each year, more than 8 million metric tonnes of plastic debris enter the ocean, endangering ecosystems and marine life. Furthermore, plastic garbage frequently ends up in landfills, where it can contaminate groundwater and soil with dangerous chemicals.
Furthermore, recycling plastic is not always as effective as it is made out to be. It can be challenging to recycle many types of plastic, and recycling can demand a large amount of energy and resources. This leads to a significant amount of plastic waste being burned or dumped in landfills, which releases toxic pollutants into the atmosphere.
Health Risks
Human and wildlife health are seriously endangered by plastic waste. Microplastics have been detected in a variety of habitats, including food, water, and the air, according to research. Humans may be consuming thousands of microplastic particles annually, according to studies.
Tiny pieces of plastic called microplastics have been connected to a number of health concerns, including reproductive, digestive, and respiratory ailments. Microplastics are also present in food, water, and the air. Aside from their detrimental effects on development and reproductive health, chemicals used in the production and processing of plastics, like phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), can also upset the endocrine system.
Furthermore, infectious diseases may result from exposure to plastic garbage. Inadequate disposal of plastic debris can serve as a breeding ground for insects that transmit diseases, such as mosquitoes. Moreover, plastic waste can contaminate water sources, raising the possibility of contracting diseases from contaminated water.
Economic Impacts
The financial domain is one of the hidden consequences of plastic pollution. There may be serious economic repercussions from the environmental harm that plastic production and disposal create. Managing plastic waste can come with hefty expenses for collection, transportation, and disposal. For instance, the yearly cost of managing plastic garbage is estimated to be more than $10 billion in the United States.
For instance, the effects of plastic pollution on the travel and tourist, fishing, and agricultural industries may result in lost jobs and lower profits. Furthermore, there might be significant expenses involved in the collecting, transportation, and disposal of plastic waste.
Fishing and tourism may suffer from plastic pollution, which could result in job losses and lower income. Plastic pollution may cost the world economy up to $40 billion a year, according to a World Bank research. These expenses will probably rise as the amount of plastic waste produced increases, burdening businesses and taxpayers.
Solutions and Sustainable Alternatives
The hidden costs of plastic pollution must be addressed in a multimodal manner. A more sustainable future requires reducing plastic consumption, enhancing recycling infrastructure, and making investments in sustainable alternatives. Biodegradable plastics derived from sustainable sources including seaweed, sugarcane, and maize starch are becoming more and more popular.
There will be less plastic waste in the environment when these materials naturally break down. By choosing items made of recycled or biodegradable materials and reducing their dependency on single-use plastics, consumers may play a critical role. Additionally, companies can embrace environmentally friendly packaging methods and allocate resources towards investigating and creating novel, sustainable substitutes for plastic.
By enacting laws that encourage the decrease of plastic use, enhance waste management, and provide incentives for the creation of sustainable alternatives, governments can also have a big impact. Among other things, this can entail putting fees on plastic, outlawing single-use plastics, and funding the creation of sustainable materials.
The Future of Plastic: Innovation and Sustainability
Even while plastic pollution poses serious problems, creative solutions and sustainable substitutes are becoming more and more popular. A more sustainable future may be possible with these encouraging advancements in the field of plastic technology.
Biodegradable Plastics
A highly promising substitute for conventional plastics is biodegradable plastic. These substances can break down organically in the environment and are made from renewable resources. Although they are not a perfect answer, biodegradable polymers can aid in lowering the quantity of plastic debris that ends up in landfills and the ocean.
Recycling Innovations
Technological developments in recycling are also encouraging prospects for a more sustainable future. Pioneers such as Exigo are developing new recycling technologies that can process a greater variety of plastics, including ones that were thought to be difficult or impossible to recycle in the past. Furthermore, initiatives are being made to increase the effectiveness and affordability of plastic recycling, making it a more desirable choice for both consumers and businesses.
Recycling Heavy Grade Plastics
One particularly promising area of innovation is the recycling of heavy grade plastics. These materials, which were once considered challenging to recycle, can now be processed into plastic pellets. The process involves melting down the old plastic and reforming it into small, uniform pellets. These pellets can then be used as raw material for creating new plastic products, effectively giving the original plastic a second life.
This process is a prime example of the circular economy in action. Instead of discarding heavy grade plastics after a single use, we can now transform them into a valuable resource for creating new products. This not only reduces waste but also decreases the demand for virgin plastic production, which is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.
Circular Economy
In the plastics sector, the idea of a circular economy—where goods are made to be mended, recycled, and reused—is gaining ground. Businesses can minimize waste and lessen their dependence on new materials by implementing a circular approach. There may be major financial and environmental advantages from this. Businesses such as Exigo are striving to refine this idea and provide new life to plastic waste.
In Conclusion
Our communities and economies are severely impacted by the extensive hidden costs of plastic pollution. We can lessen our reliance on this dangerous substance and build a more sustainable future by becoming aware of the negative effects plastic pollution has on the environment, human health, and the economy.