It's hard to miss the headlines these days with all of the information about plastic pollution. The plastics industry is one that has boomed in recent decades, but it comes at a cost. Plastic pollution has become an issue of major concern for environmentalists and scientists alike, who are sounding the alarm on its potentially long-lasting impacts on our environment and health.
As seen in the news, plastics are polluting our oceans and waterways at an alarming rate. The effects of this pollution have already been linked to a number of health concerns for humans as well as wildlife. It is estimated that if we continue down this path, there will be more plastic than fish by weight found in the ocean within 35 years! As environmentalist David de Rothschild said about his expedition on Plastiki: “The message from my team is clear - it’s time to change how we make things."
Plastics do not biodegrade, but instead, break down into smaller and smaller pieces. These microplastics can then be consumed by marine life and enter the food chain, potentially also contaminating drinking water supplies.
Scientists have already found plastics in many of our fish, shellfish, se90 a salt brands, tap water samples as well as other sources. It is believed that this pollution may cause or contribute to diseases such as cancer or infertility due to its ability to bioaccumulate (build up) within human tissue over time.
Plastic litter has been shown to negatively affect wildlife on land too - it poses serious threats for birds, turtles, and even whales who often become entangled or mistake plastic bags for jellyfish! Furthermore, these animals are not just harmed directly from ingesting particles of plastic, but also from exposure to chemicals such as bisphenol-A (BPA) which leach out and contaminate their food supply.
These are just a few of the risks that we face when it comes to our continued use of plastics in everyday life. These materials not only harm ecosystems worldwide, but they may also pose serious health threats for humans too! It is clear that we need to take significant steps towards eliminating our dependence on these problematic substances - fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives that you can easily adapt into your own home today.
It’s a problem that has been going on for decades and yet we still don't have any viable solutions. You can start by being part of the solution! If you want some help getting started with your zero waste journey, check out The Zero Journey- 90 Day Guide or contact us.