Alexei Volkov
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues, with plastic waste ending up in landfills, oceans, and other natural environments. This waste can take hundreds to thousands of years to degrade, leaching toxic chemicals into the soil and water, including groundwater. The impact of microplastics in soils and freshwater could have long-term negative effects on ecosystems, with terrestrial microplastic pollution estimated to be four to 23 times higher than marine microplastic pollution. To combat plastic pollution, it is essential to reduce plastic use, especially single-use plastics, improve waste management systems, increase recycling, and adopt better product design.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to reduce plastic pollution | Refuse single-use plastics, use reusable products instead, support legislation that reduces plastic production, improves waste management, and holds plastic producers accountable |
| How plastic enters groundwater | Plastic pollution can seep carcinogenic chemicals into the soil, which then run into groundwater or rivers |
| Sources of plastic pollution | Land-based sources such as urban and stormwater runoff, littering, industrial activities, tyre abrasion, construction, and agriculture; marine sources such as paint shed from shipping and discarded fishing gear |
| Impact of plastic pollution | Harms animal and human health, contributes to climate change, causes biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, impacts species through ingestion, suffocation, and entanglement |
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What You'll Learn
Reduce single-use plastics
The production of plastic has outpaced almost every other material since the 1950s. Single-use plastics are a huge contributor to this problem, with over half of the plastic produced today designed to be used only once before disposal. While recycling is a good alternative, less than 9% of plastics are recycled, and bioplastics are not a perfect solution due to a lack of transparency around the additives used and their potential to contaminate recycling streams.
The key to reducing single-use plastics is to focus on plastic reduction and reuse. This can be achieved through individual actions and legislative changes. Individual actions can include simple swaps, such as using a reusable water bottle, shopping bag, refillable coffee cup, and food storage containers. Over time, these small changes can help phase out single-use plastics from your lifestyle.
Another way to reduce single-use plastics is to advocate for change and support companies that are taking initiatives to decrease their plastic usage. For example, Footprint, a company based in Arizona, develops biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable products to help restaurants reduce their plastic waste. You can also support ocean or river cleanup organizations, such as the Ocean Blue Project, and spread awareness about the impact of single-use plastics.
Legislative changes can also play a significant role in reducing single-use plastics. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation aims to pressure producers to reduce toxins and prohibit the use of non-recyclable plastics. Additionally, truth-in-labeling policies can provide clarity to consumers about genuine recycling efforts, ensuring that recycling symbols are not misleading.
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Reuse plastic products
Plastic is a synthetic, organic polymer made from fossil fuels, such as gas and petroleum. It is used in almost all consumer and industrial activities, from construction and vehicles to electronics and agriculture. As plastic is designed to last forever, it does not biodegrade, instead breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces. This means that plastic waste can pollute and harm the environment, threatening human health, food and water safety, and contributing to climate change.
Reusing plastic products is an important way to reduce waste, conserve resources, and protect the environment. Here are some ways to reuse plastic products:
- Opt for reusable containers: Avoid buying products packaged in single-use plastic containers. Choose items packaged in glass, aluminium, or cardboard containers instead.
- Compost food waste: Composting helps to reduce the amount of plastic that goes into landfills as food waste is often stored in plastic bags.
- Buy recycled products: Buying products made from recycled materials helps to reduce the need for new plastic production.
- Bring your own reusable bags: A plastic bag ban is one of the most effective ways to reduce plastic waste. Choose reusable bags when shopping.
- Stop buying plastic water bottles: Plastic water bottles can take up to 1,000 years to decompose. Invest in a reusable water bottle and fill it with tap water.
- Avoid single-use plastic straws: Plastic straws are one of the most common items found in beach cleanups. Bring a reusable straw with you when dining out.
- Use biodegradable or reusable cutlery: Cutlery made from bamboo can be washed and reused, or look for biodegradable options.
- Bring your own bags when grocery shopping: Avoid the plastic bags provided and prepackaged vegetables. Bring your own bags, including bags for loose produce.
- Choose glass, paper, or cardboard packaging: Paper, cardboard, and glass containers can biodegrade or be recycled.
- Reuse plastic bottles: Plastic bottles can be reused for a variety of purposes, such as bird feeders, hanging planters, or pencil cases.
Reusing plastic items helps to reduce the negative impact of waste on the environment and can also save money and resources.
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Recycle plastics
Plastic is one of the most popular and useful materials of modern times, with 300 million tonnes produced worldwide each year. As such, it is important to recycle and reuse plastic items as many times as possible to reduce the need to create new plastic.
Recycling plastic can be confusing, and the process varies depending on the type of plastic and your location. However, here are some general tips to help you recycle plastic:
- Plastic bottles are usually made from two types of plastic that are easy to recycle: PET (or PETE) and HDPE. These include single-use water bottles, drinks bottles, shampoo bottles, milk cartons, and some yoghurt cartons and pots. Check the recycling symbol, which will usually be a number 1 and the letters PET, or look for the Resin Identification Code, which will be a number from 1-7.
- Plastic bottle caps can also be recycled. Just empty the bottles and twist the caps back on before tossing them in the bin.
- Plastic bags should not be combined with other recyclables. They should be collected separately and returned to special drop-off locations, often found at grocery stores and supermarkets.
- Many communities collect plastic containers for products such as yoghurt, sour cream, condiments, and "clamshell" packaging. Check with your local recycler to see what can be recycled in your area.
- Plastic wrappings from around products such as water bottles, diapers, napkins, and bathroom tissue can be recycled at some grocery and retail stores.
- Plastic utensils, straws, takeaway food containers, and picnic plates and cutlery are often made from PP plastic, identified by the number 5 in the recycling logo and the letters PP. These cannot be recycled in home collections but can be recycled at some supermarkets.
It is important to follow guidelines on what can and cannot be recycled to avoid contamination and ensure plastic is being recycled correctly.
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Avoid microplastics
Microplastics are an emerging contaminant that has been detected in groundwater, drinking water, and freshwater sources such as rivers and lakes. They are small plastic particles or fibres, ranging in size from five millimetres to micrometers, and are formed from the breakdown of larger plastic waste or manufactured as microbeads for use in health and beauty products.
The occurrence of microplastics in groundwater is a growing concern, with potential impacts on human health, soil, plant growth, and subsurface ecology. While there is limited knowledge about the pathways responsible for microplastic contamination in groundwater, it is known that they can enter groundwater through various geological and anthropogenic processes, including soil migration, surface runoff, wastewater effluent, and landfill leachate.
To avoid contributing to the microplastics problem, individuals can take several measures:
- Reduce plastic use: The first step is to reduce your overall plastic consumption. This can include choosing products with minimal or no plastic packaging, opting for reusable items instead of disposable plastic ones, and refusing single-use plastics whenever possible.
- Reuse and recycle plastics: When plastic products are necessary, try to reuse and recycle them properly. Reusing plastic items extends their lifespan and reduces the demand for new plastic products. Make sure to familiarise yourself with your local recycling guidelines to ensure that you are recycling plastics effectively.
- Choose plastic-free and natural products: Look for products from companies that are committed to being 100% plastic-free. Opt for natural products with minimal processing and packaging, and avoid synthetic materials whenever possible.
- Beware of microplastics in personal care products: Microplastics are often found in health and beauty products such as exfoliants, scrubs, toothpastes, shampoos, sunscreens, lotions, deodorants, cosmetics, and more. Check the ingredient lists of your personal care products and avoid those containing Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), or Nylon.
- Support legislation and initiatives: Advocate for and support legislation that bans or restricts the use of microplastics in products. The Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 in the United States, for example, prohibited the manufacturing and distribution of certain cosmetics containing plastic microbeads.
- Educate and spread awareness: Educate yourself and others about the issue of microplastics in groundwater. Spread awareness about the sources of microplastics, their potential impacts, and the steps that can be taken to reduce their presence in the environment.
By following these steps and adopting more sustainable practices, individuals can play a crucial role in reducing the presence of microplastics in groundwater and mitigating their potential negative impacts on the environment and human health.
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Support global treaties
The global plastic crisis is an escalating environmental, economic, and health threat that requires an international response. A global treaty to end plastic pollution is a historic step towards protecting wildlife, the environment, and humans from the harmful effects of plastic pollution.
In March 2022, the UN Environmental Assembly convened in Nairobi, Kenya, and 175 nations voted to adopt a global treaty for plastic pollution. This treaty is expected to be implemented as early as 2025. The unique potential of a global, United Nations-led treaty is to hold all countries to a high common standard on plastic consumption and create a clear path toward a future free from plastic pollution.
The treaty should include binding rules to regulate the production and consumption of plastics. This includes measures to ban, phase out, phase down, circulate, and manage high-risk plastic products, such as single-use plastics and microplastics. Over 90% of the plastic that pollutes our planet is made up of single-use plastics, and it is expected that humanity will consume over 500 million tonnes of plastics in 2024 alone. Without urgent action, global plastic waste could almost triple by 2060.
To ensure the effectiveness of the treaty, it is important to have strong monitoring and reporting mechanisms in place to track the state of the environment and the implementation of the treaty. Additionally, the treaty should build upon and complement existing national and regional initiatives while addressing the significant gaps that prevent the elimination of plastic pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic waste that is dropped on the ground or thrown out of car windows can contaminate groundwater. When it rains, water seeps deep into the earth, filling the cracks, crevices, and porous spaces of an aquifer (an underground storehouse of water). This water becomes groundwater, which is a crucial natural resource that around 40% of Americans rely on for drinking water.
Plastic waste that ends up in the environment can take up to 1,000 years to degrade, leaching potentially toxic substances into the soil and water. These chemicals can then run into groundwater, rivers, and other water sources, affecting people and ecosystems.
Plastic pollution in oceans and other water bodies is largely a result of land-based sources such as urban and stormwater runoff, littering, industrial activities, tyre abrasion, construction, and agriculture. Rivers also carry trash downstream, picking up more trash as they move and spreading it to coastal waters.
To reduce plastic pollution, it is important to prevent plastics from entering waterways through improved waste management, recycling, better product design, and reduced manufacturing of single-use plastics. Individuals can also play a role by reducing plastic use, reusing and recycling plastic products, and opting for natural and environmentally-friendly alternatives.
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that range from 5 millimeters in length to micrometers, which is less than the width of a human hair. They can be released into the environment through the breakdown of larger plastic waste or from products such as synthetic textiles and tyres. Microplastics can pass through wastewater treatment systems and enter our waterways, affecting aquatic life and potentially ending up in our bodies.
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