Oishi paul
Plastic is the most usable thing that we use in our daily life. It is a non-biodegradable chemical that does not easily mix with the environment. The negative impact of plastic products on the environment is termed as “Plastic Pollution”.
Basically, the invention of plastic has made many of our jobs easier and it is also financially viable. In 1850 Alexander Parks first made plastic from natural rubber. Plastics that act as pollutants are categorized by size into micro, meso, or macro debris. Nowadays we are very much dependent on plastic. The problem mainly starts when we throw the used plastic bags, packets, bottles everywhere. It pollutes our environment, ecosystem and biodiversity.
Impacts on environment: The interaction of plastic waste with UV rays and other environmental factors results in the release of various harmful chemicals such as bisphenol into the environment. Impacts on soil: There are many microorganisms that live in the soil and help in our agriculture. Plastic pollution kills these microorganisms and destroys soil fertility and reduces crop productivity.
Impacts on soil: There are many microorganisms that live in the soil and help in our agriculture. Plastic pollution kills these microorganisms and destroys soil fertility and reduces crop productivity.
Impacts on ocean: The plastic waste that we throw on roads and drains is washed away by rainwater and through rivers it goes to the ocean and these plastics exist in the ocean for years. Because of this the aquatic life is in danger. According to a research, the number of plastic bottles and bags that fall into the ocean every minute is about 33,800. That works out to 13 million tons per year. If this continues, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish in 2050.
Impacts on climate: Production of just 1 kg of plastic releases 2 to 3 kg of toxic carbon dioxide. This toxic carbon dioxide is largely responsible for global warming. Again if we burn plastics, it will also produce some dangerous gasses like Co2, CO, Ch4 etc. which are harmful for our environment and human health.
Impact on human health: Plastic can enter to our body in various ways. One of them is consuming food. Consuming plastic can cause ulcers, birth defects, genetic changes, deafness, vision failure, liver problems and even cancer. PVC or Polyvinyl chloride is uses in window frame, packaging, construction, vinyl flooring etc. which can cause various health problems for long time use. Also some cosmetics like shampoo, powder etc. contain micro plastic which causes skin problem.
Impacts on marine animals: Marine aquatic animals are affected by various diseases due to plastics that fall into the sea. It is thought that octopuses will eventually disappear from the ocean due to plastic waste. Not only aquatic animals, about 1 million birds including migratory birds suffer from plastic pollution every year.
Sustainable solution to plastic pollution:
Plastic degradation by microbes: Microorganisms including bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi etc. are used to degrade plastics, and this method is called biodegradation. In this process, microorganism discharge extracellular enzyme from their body. These enzymes adhere on the polymer surface. After that, the polymer chains started to break down large compounds into smaller compounds. In this method physical and mechanical properties of the plastic are changed.
Biodegradable plastic produce: Biodegradable plastics can be decomposed by the action of living organisms. Biodegradable plastics material can obtain from renewable raw materials, microorganism, plant waste etc. Biodegradable plastics may be made from biological resources or fossil raw materials. The process involves, Selection of raw material first. Raw material are the renewable sources like sugarcane, cornstarch etc.
Then the raw materials go through the process called Polymerization, through which they are converted into polymer chains. After that, to impart the auto-degradable properties to the plastic some additives are added to it. Additives include enzymes, bacteria, or other microbial agents that facilitate the breakdown of the plastic. Then needed shapes are given. Finally check the quality of that new made biodegradable plastic.
Reducing consumption of plastic: We daily use plastic after waking up in the morning. We use toothbrush, which are made of plastic. Instead of plastic toothbrush, we can use toothbrush that is made up of neem tree.
Use sonali bags: Sonali bags are also known as jute polymer, golden bag or eco-friendly poly bag. The cellulose used in Sonali Bags are made of the cellulose of jute which is a major vegetable fiber crop grown across the globe.
Follow the 3R rule: 3R means Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. We should reduce the consumption of plastics, and then we can reuse the plastic products. Like, a large plastic bag that we already have can be carried to the shopping mall to put the bought things on that bag. After that, recycling of plastic. Plastic bottles, cups can be used for plant trees. We can also use plastic bottles as pencil case, garbage storing, flower vase etc.
Clean up initiatives: With preventing plastic pollution we should also remove plastic from land, water bodies to keep the environment clean and safe for human and animals both terrestrial and aquatic.
Raising awareness: We can aware people about the bad effect of plastic. With some concern people we can make community and make seminars, conference, rallies etc. to aware people. We can also use social media to create awareness. We can influence people to use biodegradable products to reduce plastic pollution through television, facebook, newspaper etc.
Government should provide policies and law: It is not possible to ban plastics completely. So, Govt. should provide strict law and policies on plastic buying and using. Also, tax can be added on buying high amount of plastics.
It is the perfect time to reduce the usage of plastic. To reduce plastic pollution, sustainable technologies should be adopted and applied. We have to remember that, “As you sow, so shall you reap.” That means what we will give to the environment it will give it back to us. If we destroy the environment there will be no society. We can use biodegradable plastic instead of plastic to keep our ecosystem and environment safe.
The author is Student , Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University.
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