How to Reduce the Use of Plastic
How to reduce the use of plastic
The largest pollutant to our oceans believe it or not is plastic. About 12 million tons of plastic finds its way into our oceans, rivers and streams annually claimed by ocean conservancy.org. Plastic kills approximately 1.1 million of our marine life every year, either by ingestion, suffocation or entanglement. Marine life mistakes plastic debris as prey and most die from starvation due to the plastic clogging their digestive tract, researchers from University of Tasmania also recently discovered microplastics in the arctic ice. The researchers found 96 pieces of plastic about 5mm long were discovered in a piece of the ice core.
I agree with Father George Rutler on the matters involving plastic pollution and the resolution that our oceans must be cleaned. The average person eats about 70,000 micro-plastics every year according to an article by “science news for students “
China is the largest producer of plastic in the world today, although studies show that back in 2016 the U.S was actually the world’s number one producer with about 42 million tons invading our environment and damaging our ecosystems. Bisphenol phthalates also known as BPA , the chemicals pollute the air we breathe as well. Center for International environmental law (CIEL)Studies found that plastics are even in the blood and tissue of nearly all humans, animals, plants causing cancers, birth defects, impaired immunity, endocrine disruption, and other crippling elements. Plastic normally takes thousands of years to break down making it non-biodegradable and also causing massive amounts of environmental damage such as global warming.
Interesting fact, bbc.co.uk insinuated “every year 400 million tons of plastic that is made, 40% of it is for single-use”. one and done. Amazingly enough The amount of plastic recycled is relatively small at only 8.7 % recycling rate in 2018 for the US. In an article from the guardian.com conveyed “ in a generational time frame, our oceans could be restored, scientists believe that in an estimated 30 years this could be accomplished .How can we reduce plastic usage? There is plenty we can do to help this paramount issue, just like Father George Rutler believes .Our society can stop buying bottled water instead , buy a filtered water pitcher or reverse osmosis device in place and also save money by not buying plastic water bottles. Purchasing second hand items can also help relieve the plastic conditions such as second hand toys , used cooking supplies, round robin clothes etc. Try Buying in bulk , shopping at local Costco’s ,BJ’s, or Sam’s club to eliminate the use of plastic bags. Start Recycling, Germany has the highest recycling rate at 56.1 % since 2016 according to packaging.com. Lastly, educate yourself and help educate others. Research ocean charities such as ocean conservancy and oceans to make donations or simply contribute a helping hand. In conclusion, the oceans desperately need help. If our society does not stand up and take back what generations before us have abused the question I ask is what will we have left or what will our future truly have in store for us.