8 Things That Cause Plastic Pollution

Plastic has become so pervasive in our society that it’s easy to forget that there are serious consequences to its widespread use. It seems like everything is made from plastic these days — from your clothes and shoes to your electronics, cosmetics, and even your food packaging. Unfortunately, this convenience comes at a high cost for the environment. 

Plastic is cheap and convenient to produce, making it a popular material. Many of us enjoy using plastic goods without really thinking about the impact of their widespread use. The excessive production of plastic can have a significant impact on the environment. 

Here are 10 things that cause plastic pollution and how you can tackle them to help protect our natural surroundings.

Also Read: 10 Ways to Reduce Plastic Pollution

Single-Use Plastic

Single-use plastic items are a common source of plastic pollution, especially in urban areas. Single-use plastic items are often popular for a reason — because they are cheap and convenient. Unfortunately, when we use these items for only one purpose, we contribute to their massive pollution problem. 

A plastic water bottle, for example, is often used once and then thrown away. This alone creates a huge problem: Water bottles are not recyclable. Once they are no longer usable, they end up in landfills, where they become a source of pollution.

Food Waste

Food waste is another major cause of plastic pollution. Consumers throw away huge amounts of perfectly good food every day. Food businesses have a responsibility to properly dispose of food waste if they want to avoid contributing to plastic pollution. Many cities and businesses are now working to better educate themselves and their customers on food waste management. 

It is important to note, however, that it is better to compost your food waste than to put it in landfills. Composting allows you to turn food waste into organic fertilizer which can be used by gardeners and farmers.

Incorrect Recycling Practices

Many people — especially those who are new to recycling — make common recycling mistakes. These mistakes can result in a lower quality recycling product, which is then sent to a landfill. 

Incorrect recycling practices include not separating different types of plastic, not removing liquids and grease from plastic items, and not knowing the correct temperature to dry recyclables. If you want to avoid contributing to plastic pollution, then make sure you are following correct recycling practices.

Also Read: Top 13 Eco-friendly Alternatives to Plastic

Unruly Manufacturing Processes

A large number of plastic products are not designed to be recycled. Instead, they are designed to last for years, with no real plan for how to handle their inevitable plastic waste. This waste ends up in landfills and in our oceans, where it causes serious pollution.

Degradable Plastic

Researchers are looking into the potential for creating plastic products that are designed to degrade the environment. This is a major step forward in the fight against plastic pollution. It will allow plastic items to break down after a certain period of time, removing them from the environment. This is especially useful for small plastic items such as bags, bottles, and wrappers.

Also Read: Plastic Bottle Pollution - Effects Of Plastic Bottle On Environment

Chemical Processing Facility

Many plastic products are produced in large chemical plants. These plants use complex manufacturing processes that release a variety of harmful substances. Many of these substances are released into the environment when the plants are not properly managed, which can lead to plastic pollution.

Waste to Energy Facility

Plastic waste often ends up as energy when it is sent to a waste-to-energy facility. Waste-to-energy facilities convert waste — including both organic and plastic waste — into power, heating, and energy. This is a useful process, but it also creates a significant amount of pollution.

Also Read: Top 20 Zero Waste Products for Home

Beauty Industry

The beauty industry is another major contributor to plastic pollution. Indeed, many cosmetics and personal care products are packaged in plastic. These products are often not designed for recycling, which creates a significant problem for plastic pollution.

5 Ways to Cut Back on Plastic Pollution Every Day

While the topic of plastic pollution is now ubiquitous, we rarely stop to think about how every action we take contributes. From clothing to food packaging, new plastics continue to appear on a daily basis, and as such, it’s important that everyone understands what they can do to reduce their impact. Fortunately, there are many simple actions individuals of all ages and backgrounds can take to minimize their plastic footprint. To understand how you can help end this serious issue in your own life, read on for a few practical tips you can implement today:

1.  Don’t use disposable plastic

Plastic is versatile and durable, which makes it appealing to industries across many sectors. This convenience, coupled with the fact that it’s inexpensive, has led to a dramatic increase in its use in the last few decades. Unfortunately, the production of plastic is hugely damaging to the environment and has a detrimental effect on wildlife and humans. Disposable plastic is made from fossil fuels and commonly contaminates water sources, leaching potentially harmful petrochemicals. It’s also a major source of litter, as plastic doesn’t biodegrade easily and can last for hundreds of years. If you use disposable plastic items such as cutlery, bottles, or bags, consider going reusable instead.

2.  Bring your own reusable bottle

Many people take bottled water for granted, but this convenience actually represents an incredible waste of resources. Each year, more than 5 billion plastic water bottles are purchased worldwide but only a fraction of these bottles are recycled. Even if you recycle your water bottles, there are still significant concerns about how often they’re recycled. In many places, plastic water bottles make up a significant percentage of plastic waste. This is particularly concerning because water is an essential resource for people and the planet. Bottled water is often more expensive than tap water, and without a dependable supply there’s no telling how long people would be without clean water. There are a number of reusable alternatives to bottled water. Buying a water filter and filtering your own tap water is a sustainable, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly option. It’s also a great way to stay hydrated!

3.  Use cloth napkins and towels instead of disposables

Most disposable paper products are made from cheap, heavily-polluting virgin fibre which has led to an enormous waste problem. The average American throws away 663 pounds of paper each year. Not only is this material being flushed down the toilet but it’s also being burned in our air conditioners, which releases harmful greenhouse gases. However, there are a number of reusable products out there that are far from intimidating. Bamboo napkins and towels are a great example. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world and is extremely resistant to pests and diseases. This makes bamboo products a great alternative to paper and creates very little waste. Reusable cloth products also require very little maintenance, so you don’t need to be aware of special care instructions.

4.  Use stainless steel or glass containers for food storage

Most plastic containers come in one shape and one color, and as such, they can be difficult to differentiate from one another. Furthermore, the durable plastics most frequently used in containers are often contaminated with toxic chemicals that make them unsafe to eat. This can pose a serious health risk to those who consume food from these containers. Reusable food storage containers are an excellent way to reduce the impact of plastic waste. Whether it’s glass or stainless steel, these containers can be washed and used again and again. Stainless steel containers can be easily washed in a dishwasher while glass containers can be cleaned with a simple wipe.

5.  Reuse plastic packaging to reduce your waste

Many processed foods have a long shelf life and can be sold as-is, making them an ideal candidate for using plastic packaging. While some of these products are biodegradable, most are not. Unfortunately, these foods are frequently thrown away rather than recycled. The best way to recycle plastic packaging is to choose products with a lid. In most cases, lids are compostable, so they can also be tossed into your home’s compost bin. This can help reduce the amount of plastic waste in your neighborhood, and it’s easy to do as well. When shopping for food, look for items with a lid, and when you’re ready to cook, simply put the food into a reusable container or pail with a lid.

6.  Participate in Plastic Free July

One simple way to reduce plastic waste is to take part in Plastic Free July. This is a global initiative led in 13 countries around the world, including Australia, Canada, and the U.S., to encourage individuals to stop using plastic for one day. During the day of the challenge, people are encouraged to instead use sustainable options such as paper, bamboo, etc. Find out how to participate in plastic-free July.

7. Take action today

If you’re interested in reducing your plastic waste, don’t wait. There are several easy things that you can do to help reduce your plastic footprint. For example, always bring your own reusable bottle, always use cloth napkins and towels instead of disposables, always choose stainless steel or glass containers for food storage, and always reuse plastic packaging to reduce your waste. These are just a few simple changes that you can make to help minimize your plastic footprint.

Summary

Plastic pollution is a serious environmental issue, affecting both human health and the natural world. Fortunately, it is possible to tackle this problem. You can tackle plastic pollution by avoiding single-use plastic, food waste, incorrect recycling practices, unruly manufacturing processes, Degradable plastic, chemical processing facilities, waste to energy facilities, beauty industry packaging, and more.