Plastic A Potential threat?

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Facts ; To just remind, as we all know

• nOnce thrown, it takes some time, roughly just around 30 human generation may witness; or may be more than that (around 1000 years).

• nIf burnt, produces toxic gases nPlastic covers, as well as material kept inside, puts serious threat for water pollution.
  

• nPlastic has become an integral part of our daily life, take for instance the plastic (polythene) bags, Plastic bags have made our life so easy and comfortable

• nBe it vegetable or grocery shopping, or purchase of other items such as books or clothing, everything comes in plastic bags.

• n They are light weight, reusable, water proof and very convenient to carry things, Their usage has increased tremendously in recent years.

• nThese plastic bags cannot be digested or passed by the cows or other animals that eat them, so they stay in their stomachs.

• n This can prevent proper digestion of food and can lead to a very slow and painful death of poor animals

• nPlastic bag litter also affects the marine environment (lakes, rivers, oceans) Many whales, seals and turtles, as well as birds are killed due to plastic bag litter

What we throw comes in our own way?

• nIt’s not a religious statement alone!!! Mother nature can not digest this man made plastic “CREATURE”, it is kept safe for generations.

• nIt’s kind of gift saved for our generation.

• nWater pollution, packed material inside the cover can cause more severe threat to environment, and ultimately humans.

What about recycling it?

• nRecycling of plastic is a remedy. Plastic bags can be recycled but it is a difficult and costly affair.

• nSo they are usually thrown in landfill sites. These plastic bags take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade, breaking down into very small toxic particles that contaminate the soil as well as the water channels entering the food chain and posing a health hazard to man and animals.

• nIt is estimated that globally, a million plastic bags are consumed every minute. India is a major contributor to this staggering statistic. This is a disaster already in the making. Why? Unfortunately, the list is long – but here is a flavour:

1. nChoked Drains : Light poly-bags settle in drains. They cause backflow and water logging. Poly-bag induced water logging triggers off landslides in the mountains
2. Soil Degradation : Poly-bags are non-porous and non-biodegradable. They obstruct free flow of water and air, choking the soil and suffocating plant roots. Toxic chemical additives cause soil quality degradation.
3. nAnimal Deaths : Cows eat poly-bags and die. National Geographic estimates that over 100,000 marine animal deaths per year are directly related to ingestion of plastic bags
4. nFood Hazards : Most plastics today come from petrochemicals. Laboratory studies show that some of these chemicals are linked to cancer and kidney damage and may interfere with the reproductive system.
5. nMosquito Breeding : Stray poly-bags act as receptacles of water, sufficient enough for mosquito breeding.
6. nPolluting Industry : Manufacture of poly-bags, mainly in small moulding shops, with no environmental standards involve hazardous materials and emit obnoxious gases posing serious problems for workers and the environment.
7. nDisposal Hazards : If disposed through landfills, poly-bags continue to pollute soil for many years. If burnt they emit hazardous gases that pollute the air.

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Earth!!! But What about oceans??

• nIf I told you the world’s largest garbage dump was almost twice the size of continental United States would you believe me?

• nThe Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the collective name for two gigantic masses of garbage floating in the Pacific Ocean

• nThe two masses are known as the Western Pacific Garbage Patch and the Eastern Pacific Garbage Patch.

• nThe Great Pacific Garbage Patch was discovered in 1997 by Charles Moore, an American oceanographer. He came across it by chance while taking a short cut home from a Los Angeles to Hawaii yacht race. After steering into the North Pacific gyre, he found himself surrounded by garbage. Not just a little bit of garbage, but a virtual continent of garbage. All day, every day, for about a week, his vessel sailed through a sea of garbage.

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Following this alarming discovery, Moore sold his oil business and became an environmental activist.

What we can do? This is a global issue!!!

• nCertainly it is global issue and agencies are involved worldwide.

• nWe can contribute by tiny things. As Ocean is nothing but collection of drops.

• nGoing for shopping, always carry bag.

• nWe can target from vegetable shopping.

• nEven purchasing from vegetable malls, after shopping, return their plastic bags, so it can be used by others

• nDo it proudly, others also will see you, and follow you. After all we all are humans.

• nIt goes well with the other grocery items.

• nWhen throwing the garbage, do not put the bio-degradable things inside plastic bags. As it will not degrade, moreover pollute and can cause death of some animal by consuming plastic.

• nKeep the garbage in bucket or paper bags and directly throw to garbage collector

• nSpread awareness in your family, educate children, so they should not make mistakes unknowingly.

• nJust count, how many plastic covers we dump daily. Make target to reduce it daily.

• nEven if you are not able to reach zero plastic bag, throw them consciously.

• nSay proudly, I am the eco-friendly human, will try to leave greener world to coming generation

Always remember it’s the intention, which makes the difference…

“Spread this awareness every where..”