These are known to be hormone-disrupting chemicals. Thats bad news for our carbon reduction goals: if plastic production continues unabated, its greenhouse gas emissions could reach 1.34 gigatons per year by 2030equal to adding nearly 300 new coal-fired power plantseven as the need to curb global climate change becomes more urgent. Help us break the cycle of causing unnecessary harm and damage in the name of "convenience". (Everything You Need To Know)Continue, Many restaurants have banned plastic straws due to their harmful effects on the environment, and have switched to paper alternatives instead. According to a study that was published by Bloomberg News, it is predicted that the percentage of contaminated ocean water that is caused by plastic straws and stirrers is a shockingly modest 0.03 percent. By simply using less plastic, you can help keep marine life from eating and getting entangled in garbage. Thats a promising start. This type of plastic is derived from petroleum. The phthalate DEHP, as just one example from dozens, is often added to plastic goods like shower curtains and garden hoses to make them more flexiblebut was also found to be a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Author: floridadep.gov. In fact, I just listed many reasons and points in this article that support both sides of the argument. Left alone, plastics dont really break down; they just break up. These examples could go on for a long time. For example, millions of discarded plastic bags clog water drainage channels and sewers in urban areas of Bangladesh. (Source: Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment), Stanford scientists are among a growing number of researchers harnessing artificial intelligence techniques to bring more realistic representations of ubiquitous atmospheric ripples into global climate models. Unfortunately, such costs are typically not included in most economic analyses, as they are not easy to calculate because the equation would have to involve many indirect variables. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and Why is plastic bad for the environment? Similar fate has met dolphins, seals, cats, dogs, deer and many other animals which got severely cut on their bodies due to plastic bag entanglement. In Ireland, where this fee was instituted in 2002, plastic bag usage decreased by about 90 percent. For instance, a lot of the plastic produced in Asian countries is for products that serve U.S. demandand the United States often sends plastic waste back to these countries for recycling.). How can you help to ban plastic bags in your area? The crucial challenge is to ensure that these bans are just a first step, offering a natural place to start with low-hanging fruit so long as its part of a much more fundamental shift away from single-use plastics across the value chains of these companies and our economy. Most drop-off collection points accept plastic bags made from high-density polyethylene (plastic number 2) and low-density polyethylene (plastic number 4). We use them to drink beverages at home and we get them at almost every restaurant. The Pasig River is the eight worst source of ocean plastic pollution in the world. However, as an environmental enthusiast, heres what I think about this ban. Do you also have that overflowing kitchen drawer full of plastic bags you bring from your shopping trips? You are free to have your own personal opinion on whether or not we should ban plastic straws. But should plastic straws really be banned? The very best alternative is a reusable bag. Dont re-wash something if you can wear it again. Beached whales have been found with stomachs full of plastic trash. We should just stick to plastic. Plastic straws have an especially high propensity to end up in our rivers after being thrown away. Straws are said to be one of the top 10 objects recovered during beach clean-ups by the Ocean Conservancy. Shuddering and unable to breathe, he vomited up five plastic bags. They are tinier than a palm of your hand and appear so fragile when struggling across the beach to make it to the sea. NDLA National Disability Leadership Alliance: Nothing About Us Without Us. Plastic is more sanitary and safer to use than other alternatives. Though plastica chain of synthetic polymers, essentiallywas invented in the mid-19th century, it wasnt until the 1970s that its popularity skyrocketed. If you are a kid reading this, and you want to get green and help the Earth, you are at the right place. According to some estimates, the cost of plastic bag cleanup is about 17 cents per bag [14] and the cost is paid by us once again. Plastic, in general, is one of the biggest pollutants in the world. Because of this, the plants and wildlife in the area have a potential risk of absorbing the microplastics through their diets and drinking water. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy Harmful to human health 6. These costs include the true environmental costs of resource extraction and depletion, the loss of quality of life, economic loss from littering, and wildlife loss. Tushy Ace Review (After 3 Months): Is this Luxury Bidet Worth it? Cause of environmental pollution 2. New research shows their prolific dam building benefits river water quality so much, it outweighs the damaging influence of climate-driven droughts. But the sheer amount of plastic waste inundates communities until they are drowning under thousands of tons of plastic trash. Plastic bags are everywhere. This includes waste collection, regular cleanups to remove plastic bag litter along the roads or blown away from landfills and then even processing at landfill sites. 2. Gas, bloating, and intestinal discomfort. By being aware about these issues, you will be ready to present some strong arguments why plastic bags should be banned in your area and answer questions of people who will become your ally if you will persuade them about your good intentions. About; Disability Vote Blog; Organizer's Forum; Issues; News; NDLA Webinars Have some dirty clothes that you just wore today? Not only does banning single-use plastic reduce pollution, but it also reduces demand for plastic production thats contributing to global climate change. Ultimately, we can further decrease costs and achieve economies of scale through decentralized production systems and perhaps also at large biorefineries. Have you ever seen endangered sea turtles hatch? They are a part of our modern lives, and we dont tend to think much about them. Ill also go over whether or not plastic straw bans will actually help the environment, and explain everything else youll need to know. (Everything You Need To Know). 2. You as an individual have the power to make a gradual change in your community. The people of Macon, Georgia, saw through it. Paper vs. An additional problem with plastic grocery bags recycling is their cleanliness. Among the U.S. cities to outlaw plastic straws are Malibu, Berkeley, Seattle, and Miami Beach. Martin Grimm/Picture-alliance via Associated Press. Plastic fragments in the ocean such as those from plastic bags can absorb pollutants like PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) easily. Making just one simple swap, like purchasing a reusable water bottle, can spare the environment hundreds of plastic bottles each year. When the monsoon rains start, streets get waterlogged just after the first few minutes because the water cannot pass through clogged sewerage pipes. . So, for example, companies need to not only make products that are recyclable, but actually make them out of recycled or truly biodegradable material. Some microplastics are even small by design, like the microbeads used in facial scrubs or the microfibers in polyester clothing. Our addiction to plastic also has negative impacts on the climate. To make matters worse, if plastic straws get into the ocean, they can be mistaken for food by marine animals. Will others? Summary: Reduce your use of single-use plastics. Many people with disabilities rely on flexible straws to drink safely and independently. It started with cardboard straws, but once plastic production in America increased, people realized it was quicker and cheaper to produce plastic straws. We produce 300 million tons of plastic each year worldwide, half of which is for single-use items. In fact, plastic straws only make up around 0.03 percent of total plastic waste by mass. Each day, the United States of America uses 500 million drinking straws. Growing public concern has inspired movements to ban single-use plastics, most notably straws. And the recent fracking boom, resulting in a surplus of oil, is fueling a subsequent rise in cracker plants, too. . Without proper education, few people would know the purpose of the ban, and they would continue using other single-use plastics which could be even worse for the environment. Plastic utensils are convenient and straws are fun for kids, but much of that plastic eventually winds up in a landfill or as litter. Microplastics were found in soft drinks like Coca Cola, in tap water, in seafood It has contaminated our food chain, so it should not surprise us that it can be tracked in our body. Let companies that make your favorite products know that you care about the packaging. This is because the customers voluntarily reduce their consumption of plastic bags, which in turn provides enough time for retailers to find suitable alternatives and switch to them. If this happens, there are a few scenarios you can follow: The best thing you can do with those old plastic bags that have been stashed in that overflowing drawer in your kitchen is to recycle them. 6461 garfield street hollywood, fl. Interestingly, these granules contain the seeds of their own destruction: enzymes that break the polymer down when it is needed for food. 1. Activists Say Straws Should Be Banned Because They Are a 'Gateway Plastic' Advocates hope a straw ban will be the first step toward broader plastic prohibitions. Its possible that using a plastic straw would make it easier for you to drink without spilling, but the long-term expenses are not worth it. McDonald's recently announced . In many instances, it may seem too awkward for you to refuse the bag, so you accept it this one time, but you should know that it is fine to say no politely even at this stage if you dont want that bag. So that free plastic bag isnt so free after all. 4. Single-use plastics are most commonly used for packaging and serviceware, such as bottles, wrappers, straws, and bags. Once a paper product has been contaminated with food or drink, it must be disposed of in a landfill. LEAPE:Microplastics pervade the oceans. They are also not biodegradable and cannot be broken down naturally by bacteria and other decomposers into non-toxic materials. However, if a plastic straw ban is properly implemented with education about single-use plastics, then the ban could encourage the public to reduce their usage of other single-use plastics as well. Yeah I end up going through like 5 paper straws because they keep disintegrating and I can't drink my drink anymore. 1. and reefs composed of coral, F) I Plastic straws are one of the top five most often used items. Sea turtles are not the only species suffering from plastic bag pollution of the environment.

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