Written by: Janvi Zade
Edited by: Yashi Shah
PLASTIC POLLUTION IN ATLANTIC OCEAN
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it. Robert Swan”
Plastics are typically organic polymers of high molecular mass and often contain other substances. Plastics are made from petroleum with properties ideally suited for a wide variety of applications including packaging, building, construction, electronics, and agriculture. Annually, over 300 million tons of plastic are produced every year, 50% of which is for single-use purposes such as shopping bags, cups, and straws.
Almost 8 million tons of plastic debris ends up in the ocean every year, making it up to 80% of all marine debris from surface waters to deep-sea elements. According to studies, the plastic pollution in the Atlantic Ocean is caused by three types of plastics: polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene suspended in a range of 200 meters of ocean.
Microplastics (any type of plastic fragment which is less than 5 mm in length) play a major role in increasing plastic pollution. As these particles are extremely small, they easily penetrate the depths of the ocean and settle down. These can then be consumed by the zooplanktons which have a preferential property of ingestion of smaller particles. Eventually, plastic in this form enters the food chain thereby disturbing the marine life.
Fishes, sea turtles, and seabirds may mistake plastic for prey thus, consuming the same. This results in many harmful symptoms like death by starvation, drowning, etc. One million seabirds and one lakh marine mammals are killed annually due to plastic debris in oceans. Other common ways of plastic accumulation in oceans are sewage waste, toxic chemicals from industries, land runoffs, large scale oil spills, ocean mining, and littering.
Some ways to reduce plastic consumption at our own personal ends include:
1. Stop using plastic straws, even in restaurants. If a straw is a must, purchase a reusable stainless steel or glass straw.
2. Purchase food, like cereal, pasta, and rice from bulk bins and fill a reusable bag or container. You save money and unnecessary packaging.
3. The EPA estimates that 7.6 billion pounds of disposable diapers are discarded in the US each year. Use cloth diapers to reduce your baby's carbon footprint and save money.
4. Make fresh-squeezed juice or eat fruit instead of buying juice in plastic bottles. It's healthier and better for the environment.
5. Ask your local grocer to take your plastic containers (for berries, tomatoes, etc.) back. If you shop at a farmers market they can refill it for you.
6. Use a reusable produce bag. A single plastic bag can take 1,000 years to degrade. Purchase or make your own reusable produce bag and be sure to wash them often!
7. RECYCLE. Yes, recycle is one of the most impactful ways to combat plastic pollution.
Today, we use plastic- a material designed to last forever- for products designed to last minutes. It’s high time we need to understand what we are sowing. Every single-use plastic that is used around the globe requires approximately, 450 years decomposing. 8 billion people claiming, “It’s just a single straw!” makes it 8 billion straws! Reduce the amount of plastic use and opt for eco-friendly ways that’s the only way to culminate the current threat to our oceans.
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