5. Impacts of plastics

Plastics are made from crude oil. The raw materials used are a problem because crude oil emits significant amounts of pollution, which means the product is non-biodegradable.

 

 

Plastic materials are cheap, lightweight, strong and durable and have contributed to many advances and benefits to our modern life.

 

  

The increase in plastics use, particularly the non-recyclable and throw away plastics, have severe impacts on animals and human health.

 

  

Many plastic wastes we use, such as plastics bags, bottles, and straws, etc., end up in the oceans.

 

 

Plastics break into tiny microplastics through exposure to sunlight, water, and movement of the wave.

  

Microbeads are found in toothpaste, face wash and body scrubs. Microbeads that washed down in the drains are end up in the soil, rivers, lakes, and ocean causing pollution.

 

The environmental damage is long-lasting when plastics are used. It affects all organisms in the food chain.

 

  

Toxins enter the food chain when plastic is ingested and can even be present in the sea foods.

 

  

  

PLA polymer is obtained from plant starch such as corn, sugarcane and pulp from sugar beets. It is a biodegradable material and useful for making food packaging, garbage bags and disposable tableware.