Don’t Let Plastics Completely Overhaul The Humanity

Zach Goldsmith quoted, “Of all the waste we generate, plastic bags are perhaps the greatest symbol of our throwaway society. They are used, and then forgotten, and they leave a terrible legacy.” Plastics have been major problem our world is currently facing in this generation. In 2016, the global production of plastics reached 335 million metric tons, with 60 million metric tons produced in Europe alone. And the most compelling evidence of the uncontrolled increase production of plastics is seen in every edge of our planet.

Plastic produces harmful toxins that cause negative effect in the environment namely: Bisphenol A, Organotin Compounds, and Plasticizers. Bisphenol A is a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastics that are used in some food or drink packaging. With regard to invertebrate species, according to the USEPA final Report (2014), BPA showed high chronic aquatic toxicity. Bisphenol A releases carcinogens that can cause cancers; also it can damage your brain structure, cause hyperactivity and impaired learning, decreases immune system. In like manner, orgatonin compounds According to Ross (1), there are three main areas in which organotin compounds have product and process utility: (1) heat stabilizers; (2) catalytic agents; (3) biocidal compounds. Nevertheless, in a study of Stoner et.al organotin compound releases toxic materials that release triethyltin hydroxide, a poisonous chemical that can cause severe headache, affecting the nervous system, muscle weaknesses and even death, causing the animals to suffer from great pain. And further experiment conducted by Magee et al, triethyltin hydroxide resulted to progressive weakness in the rat’s nervous system and after five days the rat died. By the same token, Plasticizers are produced by a reaction of an alcohol with an acid such as adipic acid, phthalic anhydride, and so forth. This chemical can cause endocrine disruption effect, which can cause a great effect in the central nervous system of the animals. With this in mind, billions of plastics are produced annually that contain the same toxicity content as mentioned. In result, the level of toxicity will rise due to the tons amount of plastics produced and thrown irresponsibly in the environment.

Furthermore, in addressing these issues youth and environmentalists have made campaigns in recycling, reusing and reducing the uses of plastics. That being said, government in Ireland successfully implemented a taxed plastic policy which reduced 90% of plastic waste in the environment. With this kind of development, hoping that will be implemented soon to all countries, we can change the world and prevent the 100,000 marine creatures die due to plastic entanglement, two-thirds of world fish stocks suffering from plastic ingestion and approximately one million sea creature die from plastics. Plastics have been a great deal worldwide. It is because of the characteristics of plastics that difficult to decompose. Plastics are made by series of monomers called polymers. In a span of 1 million years, a single glass bottle can only decompose. Other plastics like monofilament fishing line takes 600 years, plastic beverages bottles for about 450 years and other plastic garbage that will take decades before to decompose. This imposes a great threat to the world in the next generation which entertains the idea that the future might be covered with plastics and there will be no fresh air to breath. Innovations are made to degrade plastics. One solution suggested is chemical decomposing, combustion is practiced. This is a relatively easy and inexpensive way compared to using microorganisms, however, odor and toxic gases produced during combustion is a big problem. Currently, some companies have already applied this method, and Wheelabrator Technologies Inc. is one of them. In Wheelabrator’s clean energy plants, waste is burned and heat generated from combustion is turned to electricity with emission air control. These waste-to-energy plants not only handle municipal waste environmentally, but also provide electricity to households and businesses.

Another breakthrough of discovery that will bring light in the problem of plastics is the bacteria that eat plastic. Ideonella Sakaienesis, is a bacteria that breaks down poly (ethylene terephthalate), a polymer that is used to make plastic products. It works by secreting an enzyme (a type of protein that can speed up chemical reactions) known as PETase. This splits certain chemical bonds (esters) in PET, leaving smaller molecules that the bacteria can absorb, using the carbon in them as a food. Under these circumstances, bio plastic is also one recommended by environmentalists. Bio plastics are made by biodegradable materials such as vegetable fats and oils that can easily degrade. Environmentalists pursue the manufacturers to produce bio plastics but the manufacturers saw the disadvantage of its short shelf life. Moreover another effective solution is to educate, together with Mr. Darrell Blatchley, an American environmentalist and icon conducted a seminar at Malayan Colleges Mindanao. He educated students by showing the evidences that our actions have contributed. Plastic pollution has been a major problem that needs to be addressed. Videos taken at YouTube, where traces of plastics have been thrown in the water resources irresponsibly were witnessed by us students.

Realizing that what we are doing to our mother nature will come back to us. As an illustration, huge amount of plastics ends up at the shore of Manila bay. It is time to make a change. We can’t let these plastics completely overhaul the humanity.