We need to reduce before we recycle.
Most of the plastics used today are produced from chemicals and oil, and are a source of both harmful emissions and pollution.
Plastic pollutes our oceans and waterways and this will have a severe impact on our environment and economy. The use of plastic has increased so much in recent days that it is not only used to pack groceries but also as utensils, furniture, food packaging and even for cosmetic products.
The processes of making, storing, disposing and just being around plastics can be extremely harmful to human and animal lives.
Over the past 50 years, world plastic production has doubled.
A report says one million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute.
Every day, eight million pieces of plastic find their way into oceans. More than 70 percent of the plastic ends up on the sea floor.
Turtles, whales and other marine creatures often mistake plastic bags and deflated balloons as jellyfish and eat them. Eighty per cent of the plastic in the ocean is suspected to come from industries and activities on the land.
When plastic is dumped in landfills, it interacts with water and hazardous chemicals. If these chemicals seep underground, they degrade the water quality. Wind carries and deposits plastic from one place to another, thus increasing the land litter. It can also get stuck on poles, traffic lights, trees, fences, tower etc. and animals which come in the domain might suffocate to death.
As land becomes more valuable, just finding a place to put garbage is becoming a problem in many parts of the world.
It costs millions each year to clean the affected areas after exposure, and causes the loss of life to plants, animals and people.
Excess pollution has led to decreased tourism in affected areas, impacting those economies.
Plastics can be replaced by paper bags, non-woven bags, eco-friendly food packaging, aluminium foils and containers, wooden cutlery, paper cups, glass bottles etc.
Our responsibility is to leave a clean earth for future generations. Say no to plastic!