THE IMPACT OF PLASTIC POLLUTION ON THE PLANET AND OUR HEALTH

It’s World Environment’s Day and this year’s focus is on solutions to plastic pollution under the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution.

Plastic pollution is detrimental to the environment and to our health.

We are being completely overwhelmed by plastic. It is now literally everywhere. In the oceans and rivers, in the forests, in the air, in the food we eat and it can be now found in our bodies.

As an advocate of well-being and sustainability, I feel strongly about this issue and why I am writing about it to highlight the impact of plastic pollution and what can we do to reduce it.

400 million tonnes of plastic produced every year

400 million tonnes of plastic is produced every year, half of which intended as single use. Of that, less than 10% is recycled.

An estimated 19-23 million tonnes end up in lakes, rivers and oceans. Today, plastic clogs our landfills, leaches into our water supply and is burned emitting toxic smoke, making it one of the gravest threats to the planet.

Microplastics find their way into the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. Plastic products contain hazardous additives, which threaten our health and the health of generations to come.

‍

Synthetic Fibres contributing to the plastic pollution

Fourteen percent of all plastic is used to make synthetic fibres, chiefly for clothing including Activewear.

176,500 metric tonnes of synthetic microfibers (particles as less than 5mm in length)—chiefly polyester and nylon—are released every year onto terrestrial environments across the globe.

Microfibers are generated in large quantities at every stage of a fiber's life cycle, especially during washing, which mechanically fragments synthetic fibers. When wash water becomes part of the flow to a  plant, the microfibers it contains may be retained along with biosolid sludge, which may be applied to cropland or buried in landfills.

‍

The Impact of plastic pollution on our health

Plastics are responsible for wide-ranging health issues including cancers, lung disease and birth defects, according to a review which was led by the Boston College Global Observatory on Planetary Health in partnership with Australia’s Minderoo Foundation and the Centre Scientifique de Monaco. The review found:

“ . . .current patterns of plastic production, use, and disposal are not sustainable and are responsible for significant harms to human health . . . as well as for deep societal injustices”.

On-going scientific studies and reviews on the impact of plastic pollution to human health is likely to reveal that so far we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg.

So what can we do to beat plastic pollution?

If you feel powerless to make any impact at all on a problem of such magnitude then here are some simple things we can all can do in our daily lives to help make a difference. If we all adopted a more conscious approach to how we use and interact with plastic on a daily basis then at the vey least we may be able to stem the tide of plastic pollution.

‍

1. Wean yourself off disposable plastics.

Most of the plastic items in our daily lives are used once and then chucked: grocery bags, plastic wrap, disposable cutlery, straws, coffee-cups and lids. Take note of how often you rely on these products and replace them with reusable versions. It only takes a few times of bringing your own bags to the store, silverware to the office, or travel mug to a coffee shop before it becomes habit.

‍

2. Stop buying plastic bottled water. Carry a reusable bottle.

Each year, close to 20 billion plastic bottles are tossed in the trash. Carry a reusable bottle in your bag, and you’ll never be caught having to resort to a bottle plastic water again. If you’re unsure OR nervous about the quality of your local tap water, look for a model with a built-in filter.

‍

3. Avoid buying synthetic fabric clothes and activewear. Opt for natural fabric sustainable activewear.

Next time you’re shopping for activewear read the label and check if they are made of polyester, nylon, acrylic which are synthetic fibres. If they are avoid buying and choose natural sustainable fibres instead.

‍

4. Avoid excessive food packaging.

When shopping for groceries, opt for non-packaged fruit and vegetables. If your supermarket has mostly packaged food and vegetables, change and find other vendors who are more sustainable.

Moreover, cook more at home rather than ordering deliveries which comes in plastic food containers.

5. Put pressure on the manufacturers and businesses.

Though we can make a difference through our own habits, corporations obviously have a much bigger footprint. If you believe a company could be smarter about its packaging and could do better when it comes to sustainability and tackling plastic pollution, make your voice heard. How? You can write them a letter, send a tweet, or hit them where it really hurts: Give your money to a more sustainable competitor.

‍

6. Join an environmental group to accelerate change.

Tap into the “power of we” by joining an environmental group in your community. Become an active participant in helping and guiding people towards more sustainable practices.

‍

‍

‍

Sources: The UN Environment Programme, Phys.org, nature.com, The Minderoo Foundation, The Guardian, nrdc.org, Greenpeace.

Photo by Naja Bertolt Jensen on Unsplash

‍