Impact of Plastic on the Environment

Plastics are a part of our daily lives.'Plastic are high molecular weight organic polymers which can be moulded into desired shapes by the application of heat and pressure'. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean they're safe or responsible. Plastic pollution is currently one of the biggest environmental concerns. It may seem like large amounts of plastic waste are inevitable in the world we live in, but you can help with the plastic pollution issue by being aware of its dangers and taking steps to reduce waste. The amount of garbage in the world increases as the population grows, and disposable plastic products, like water bottles and soda cans, accumulate over time. Plastic pollution occurs when enough plastic has gathered in an area that it affects the natural environment and harms plants, animals, or humans. Plastic has toxic pollutants that damage the environment and cause land, water, and air pollution. It can take hundreds or even thousands of years for plastic to break down, so the damage to the environment is long-lasting. Overuse of plastic is the main cause of plastic pollution. Plastic is cheap and widely available, but people frequently dispose of plastic items. They don't decompose, and they release an incredible amount of toxins into the air if they're burned. Regular, everyday trash is one of the biggest contributors to plastic pollution. Milk cartons with plastic linings, disposable water bottles, soaps with small plastic beads, and other products end up in the environment or in dumps where they can affect the groundwater and nearby wildlife. Commercial fishing nets are another big issue. Although fishing is necessary for the economy and for food supply in many regions, nets are often made of plastic. When the nets are submerged in the water, they leak toxins. They can also break or get lost, adding even more pollutants to the water. The pollution in the river and land is mostly from plastic, and it has a terrible impact on marine and land species. As a result, it can hurt the economy and food supply for communities that rely on fishing. Plastic can hurt tiny organisms like plankton, which larger animals rely on for food. If small organisms are poisoned from ingesting plastic, the animals that eat them will also consume toxins. The toxins work their way up the food chain and can even be present in the fish people eat. Not only does plastic cause damage to the ocean, but it can also damage groundwater sources. Many regions are already facing issues with, but water sources everywhere are in danger because of plastic pollution. Plastic toxins in dumps and from litter can seep into the groundwater, which people drink every day. On land, wind can carry plastic waste or litter throughout the environment. Prabhash Kumar"Impact of Plastic on the Environment" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-2 | Issue-2 , February 2018, URL: http://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd9421.pdf http://www.ijtsrd.com/other-scientific-research-area/enviormental-science/9421/impact-of-plastic-on-the-environment/prabhash-kumar