Chloe Zhang
Plastic is everywhere, and it's here to stay. Designed to be durable, plastic products have become integral to our daily lives, from packaging to product design and retailing. However, this convenience comes at a cost. The environmental impact of plastic pollution is devastating, with plastic waste ending up in our oceans, rivers, and even our food. The problem starts with the production of plastic, which relies on unsustainable resource use, crude oil, and natural gas, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution. Even when plastic is properly disposed of, it can take hundreds of years to decompose, breaking down into smaller pieces that continue to harm wildlife and contaminate our planet. With only a small percentage of plastic being recycled, it's clear that we need to do more than just recycle. Reducing our plastic consumption and opting for reusable alternatives are crucial steps towards a cleaner and healthier future for our planet and ourselves.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | DreamDoll |
| Release Date | 2019 |
| Number of Songs | 10 |
| First Single | Pull Up (WYA) |
| Notable Features | Young MA, Dreezy, Latto, Chinese Kitty, Fivio Foreign, Capella Grey, Rubi Rose, Molly Brazy, Dreamdoit |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic is not biodegradable, so it takes hundreds of years to decompose
- Plastic waste often ends up in oceans, harming marine life
- Plastic production uses crude oil and natural gas, contributing to environmental pollution
- Recycling plastic is challenging and energy-intensive
- Reducing plastic use and reusing plastic items are important
Plastic is not biodegradable, so it takes hundreds of years to decompose
Plastic is not biodegradable, so it takes a long time—hundreds of years—to decompose. While plastic will eventually break down into smaller pieces, it will not biodegrade, which means it will not revert to nature like organic matter. Instead, plastic breaks down into tiny plastic particles called microplastics, which are often ingested by marine wildlife, causing environmental harm and killing millions of marine animals annually.
The length of time it takes for plastic to decompose varies depending on the type of plastic and the environment in which it ends up. Plastic bags, for example, have a shorter decomposition rate compared to other plastic materials, taking about 20 years to fully decompose. In contrast, plastic straws can remain in the environment for up to 200 years, while plastic bottles and cutlery can take up to 450 years to break down. Toothbrushes, made of a super-sturdy type of plastic, can exist in landfills for up to 500 years or more.
The decomposition of plastic is dependent on bacteria that consume and break down waste into simple matter. However, traditional plastics like PET (polyethylene terephthalate) are made with chemicals that bacteria cannot consume. As a result, plastic is broken down through a process called photodegradation, whereby UV radiation from the sun breaks it down into smaller pieces over time. This process is slower in landfills due to the compact nature of waste sites, which limits sun exposure.
While biodegradable plastics exist, they only make up a small portion of the plastic market. These plastics are made from plant-based substances or have chemical bonds that are easier for nature to break down. Biodegradable plastics can be completely broken down by bacteria in a reasonable timeframe under specific conditions, although they may still leave behind toxic residue and microplastics. The infrastructure for recycling bioplastics is also currently limited, with only 170 facilities in the UK and 185 in the US capable of processing them.
Given the challenges of recycling and the environmental impact of plastic waste, it is important to limit plastic use and switch to more sustainable options, such as refillable containers and reusable packaging. By reducing our reliance on single-use plastics, we can work towards creating a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations.
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Plastic waste often ends up in oceans, harming marine life
Plastic waste is a significant contributor to ocean pollution, with billions of pounds of plastic ending up in the oceans each year. This waste comes from thousands of sources worldwide, and while only a small proportion of plastic is incorrectly disposed of, even a small amount has a massive impact on the marine environment. For instance, in 2014, Americans discarded 33.6 million tons of plastic, but only 9.5% was recycled.
Plastic waste in oceans harms marine life in several ways. Firstly, plastic debris can be ingested by marine animals, leading to intestinal injuries and even death. This is a common issue for seabirds, sea turtles, seals, whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals. For example, a dead albatross chick was found in the Pacific Ocean with plastic debris in its stomach, and a harbor seal pup died on the Scottish island of Skye due to a plastic wrapper in its intestines. According to the United Nations, at least 800 species worldwide are affected by marine debris, with 80% of that litter being plastic.
Secondly, plastic waste can act as a magnet for toxins from the air and water, becoming increasingly harmful to any animal that ingests it over time. These toxins can then be transferred up the food chain, eventually reaching human seafood eaters. A recent study found plastic, mostly in the form of microfibers, in the guts of 25% of fish sold in California markets.
Thirdly, plastic waste can encourage the growth of pathogens in the ocean. Corals that come into contact with plastic have an 89% chance of contracting diseases, compared to a 4% likelihood for corals that are plastic-free.
Finally, marine animals can become entangled in plastic debris, leading to injury, suffocation, starvation, and drowning. This has been observed in species such as fish, sea turtles, and the endangered Steller sea lion.
The impact of plastic waste on marine life is a global crisis, and urgent action is needed to address the problem. While proper disposal of plastic is important, it is also crucial to reduce plastic use entirely and transition to reusable alternatives to mitigate the harm caused by plastic waste in our oceans.
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Plastic production uses crude oil and natural gas, contributing to environmental pollution
Plastic production is a significant contributor to climate change and environmental pollution. The process uses crude oil and natural gas, which are major drivers of global warming and carbon emissions. With the world moving towards renewable energy, the fossil fuel industry is relying on the increasing demand for plastic to maintain profit margins.
Crude oil and natural gas are used as feedstock for plastic production. The petrochemical industry uses crude oil refining to create the basic building blocks for plastics. Natural gas processing also produces hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGLs), which can be used as direct inputs for plastic manufacturing. The flexibility of the petrochemical industry in the feedstock it consumes makes it challenging to determine the exact amounts and origins of the materials used in plastic production. However, it is clear that the majority of plastics are derived from fossil fuels.
The environmental impact of plastic production extends beyond the use of crude oil and natural gas. The manufacturing and disposal of plastics contribute to carbon emissions, and plastic waste can persist in the environment for centuries, harming biodiversity and contributing to climate change. Less than 10% of the seven billion tonnes of plastic waste generated globally has been recycled, and plastic waste often ends up in landfills, oceans, and other natural environments. As plastic decomposes, it can release toxic chemicals, contaminating water sources and harming marine life.
To address the environmental pollution caused by plastic production, it is crucial to reduce plastic waste and limit plastic use. This includes transitioning away from single-use and short-lived plastic products, reusing and recycling materials, and supporting policies that address plastic pollution and promote renewable energy. By taking these steps, we can work towards a cleaner and more sustainable planet.
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Recycling plastic is challenging and energy-intensive
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, with plastic debris accumulating in landfills and natural habitats worldwide. Plastic recycling is challenging due to the variety of plastic types, some of which are difficult or impossible to recycle. Low-value plastics, such as multilayered and soft flexible plastics, are often uneconomical to recycle due to high collection and processing costs. Certain types of plastics, such as PVC piping, cannot be recycled at all.
The process of recycling plastic is also energy-intensive. While recycling generally saves energy by reducing the need for processing raw materials, some plastics are more challenging to recycle than others. For example, chemical or feedstock recycling of plastics involves reversing the energy-intensive polymerization process used in plastic manufacture. This process has been found to be uneconomical without significant subsidies due to the low price of petrochemical feedstock compared to the costs of producing monomers from waste plastic.
Additionally, the recycling of mixed plastics waste remains a significant challenge for the plastics recycling sector. Improvements in sorting and separation within recycling plants can increase recycling volumes and improve eco-efficiency by reducing energy and water use. However, technological, economic, and social behaviour issues related to the collection of recyclable waste and the substitution of virgin materials continue to pose challenges.
To address these challenges, it is important to reduce plastic waste at the source by limiting plastic use and properly disposing of plastic waste. Alternative materials, such as paper, metal, wood, bamboo, or reusable options, can be used instead of plastic. By combining waste reduction strategies with improved recycling technologies and practices, we can work towards reducing our environmental footprint and combating the global plastic pollution crisis.
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Reducing plastic use and reusing plastic items are important
Plastic is designed to last forever, and it does. 33% of all plastic is used only once and then thrown away. Plastic does not biodegrade, but instead breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, releasing toxic chemicals that leach into our environment, food supply, and ultimately, us. These toxic chemicals can contaminate drinking water supplies and harm wildlife. Reducing single-use plastics is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time.
There are many ways to reduce plastic use and reuse plastic items. When possible, purchase products made from recycled plastic materials and choose reusable, sustainably sourced items over disposable ones. For example, instead of using plastic bags, bring your own reusable bag when grocery shopping. Avoid single-use plastic bottles and opt for a reusable water bottle instead. Plastic straws can be replaced with paper, metal, or reusable straws, or you can ditch straws altogether. Plastic cutlery can be replaced with wood, bamboo, or paper utensils, or you can use your own metal utensils. When it comes to plastic items you already own, get creative and find new uses for them, such as turning plastic bottles into bird feeders, storage containers, or planters.
It is also important to recycle plastic items properly. Look for the symbols on plastic bottles and containers to identify the type of plastic and determine if it is recyclable by your local program. Some types of plastics, such as PVC piping, cannot be recycled, while others may be difficult to recycle. Check with your local recycling program to find out which types of plastic they accept and how to recycle plastic bags, wrap, and film.
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Frequently asked questions
It was released on September 7, 2018.
There are 10 songs on the EP.
The first single released was "Pull Up (WYA)".
