Can you imagine a world without plastic? Everything would have been made from natural materials like clay, wood, ivory, metal, or stone.

These types of raw materials are natural, but can nature keep up with the demands of a growing population?

Ever since the invention of the synthetic polymer in the 19th century, it had shaped how we make, use, and package things. We stopped relying solely on nature for our needs.

Plastic is sturdy, lightweight, and easily manufactured. It is pliable which allows us to make many things of various uses out of it. And it is cheap to produce, too!

No wonder, thousands of things being sold are packaged in it. Vehicles have been designed with plastic parts to become more lightweight without sacrificing durability.

While there are many pros in using it, plastic poses a major consequence.

Why plastic is a problem?

The problem is that it takes centuries to degrade it. Unfortunately, the rate at which it is being produced and thrown away exceeds the rate at which it degrades significantly.

According to data in 2010, there are 270 million tons of plastic produced each year. And the resulting waste is even more than that at 275 million tons, possibly because of the accumulated ones from previous years. Roughly 8 million tons of that will go to the ocean.

While some kinds can be recycled, more will end up in landfills. At this rate, we will soon be left with little land to cultivate and live on if much of it will be turned into landfills.

Extinction of different species of plants and animals is also possible. Sea turtles and seabirds have been eating floating plastic bags mistaking them for food.

Who knows, we could be eating microplastics without realizing it! It poses health hazards not just for the animals, but for humans, too.

Each of us can still contribute to solving this global problem.

How can we stop plastic pollution?

One step in stopping plastic pollution is by saying no to single-use plastics. These are ones that can no longer serve another purpose. Hence, we discard them right away.

Those glitters on your nail polish and that disposable straw that came with your drink are some examples.

Using something more than once postpones the need for a new one. And it helps slow down the rate at which we demand and buy new synthetic things. It helps buy time for nature to recover.

It will not happen overnight but if everybody participates, then, stopping this global problem is highly possible…
 
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