Pollution & Its Effects

Pollution happens when the environment is contaminated, or dirtied, by waste, chemicals, and other harmful substances. Pollution include air pollution, water pollution, litter, noise pollution, plastic pollution, soil contamination, radioactive contamination...​

Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment. These harmful materials are called pollutants. Pollutants can be natural, such as volcanic ash. They are also mainly created by human activity, such as trash or runoff produced by factories. Pollutants damage the quality of air, water, and land.-

National Geographic Society

What are the effects of Plastic Pollution?

Plastics wreak havoc on ecosystems. They pollute water, soil and air. They threaten the health of all life, from sea turtles and birds to every human being around the planet.

Plastic sticks around in the environment for ages, threatening wildlife and spreading toxins. Plastic also contributes to global warming. Almost all plastics are made from chemicals that come from the production of planet-warming fuels (gas, oil and even coal).

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Unlike other materials, plastic does not biodegrade.

It can take up to 1,000 years to break down, so when it is discarded, it builds up in the environment until it reaches a crisis point. This pollution chokes marine wildlife, damages soil and poisons groundwater, and can cause serious health impacts. - United Nations

It ​Plastic impacts humans in many ways, from the air we breathe to the food we eat. As a result of waste, air pollution, and packaging, we're exposed to plastic particles in most areas of our lives

Not only this, but toxic chemical additives in plastics can alter hormone activity in the human body which disrupts reproduction, growth and cognitive function. Microplastics also act as vessels for pathogens to enter the human body which increases the spread of disease.

Different chemicals can leach from our plastic water bottles, knives and dermatologic products to enter our bodies. These compounds are linked to serious health issues such as endocrine disruption, weight gain, insulin resistance, decreased reproductive health, and cancer.

Millions of animals are killed by plastics every year, from birds to fish to other marine organisms. Nearly 700 species, including endangered ones, are known to have been affected by plastics. Nearly every species of seabird eats plastics. Most of the deaths to animals are caused by entanglement or starvation. -National Geographic

​What are the reasons for plastic pollution?

Every year we use several billion plastic items such as shopping bags, bottles, caps, cups, cutlery, trays, straws and food packaging. Much of the world's plastic pollution is generated by single-use products Pollution sources are mainly land-based, coming from urban and stormwater runoff, littering, industrial activities, tyre abrasion, construction, and agriculture.

How to Reduce Plastic?

​​​The simplest way to reduce plastic waste is to avoid unnecessary and single-use plastics!

  • Choose products with less plastic packaging and support businesses that are working to reduce their plastic waste.

  • Say no to disposable plastic cutlery, plastic straws and other single-use plastics. Avoid plastics that cannot be recycled if other alternatives exist.

  • ​​​Find a food store where you can get your fresh produce and meat wrapped in paper, rather than plastic. Use aluminium foil to wrap food rather than plastic cling wrap.

  • Bring your own bags whenever you shop, not just for the supermarket. By bringing your own bag, you alone can save between 400 and 600 plastic bags per year.

  • Use reusable coffee cups and shopping bags etc., instead of single-use ones.

  • When you shop, consider buying some grocery items in bulk by filling your own containers.

​​​​​​​Some Facts about Plastic Pollution

  • Over 300 million tonnes of plastic are produced every year.

  • Only 14% of plastic is recycled.

  • There are five “garbage islands” in the world's oceans - The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the North Atlantic Gyre, the South Atlantic Gyre, the South Pacific Gyre, and the Indian Ocean Gyre -that have a significant impact on the ocean.

  • There are over 150 million tonnes of plastic in the ocean(s).

  • About 49% of the waste found at sea is disposable plastics.

  • ​Plastic was invented in 1907.

  • Plastic is made from fossil fuels.

  • Plastic takes hundreds of years to break down.

  • More than 40 percent of plastic is used just once before it is thrown away.

  • More than 5 trillion pieces of plastic are already floating in our oceans

  • There will be more plastic in our oceans than fish by 2050. The amount of plastic ending up in the ocean every year could triple in the next 20 years meaning in less than 30 years there would be more plastic in the sea than fish.

  • Scientists are trying to invent plastic made from natural materials.https://www.funkidslive.com/learn/top-10-facts/top-10-facts-about-plastic/