Plastic bottles are an environmental hazard. Environmental pollution with plastic The problem of plastic in the world

Plastic (plastic)- This is a material obtained by artificial means. Plastic is made by joining together long chains of molecules called polymers. Depending on how these chains of polymers are connected, the properties of the plastic depend. Hard plastics very often replace metal in car manufacturing.

Nowadays it is impossible to imagine a world without plastic and plastic products. But, despite the everyday occurrence and prevalence of such products, plastic appeared recently - about 150 years ago.

The scientist and inventor Alexander Parkes from Birmingham was the first to receive plastic. Using nitrocellulose, alcohol and camphor in his experiments, he obtained a substance that he called parkesin and showed it for the first time at an international exhibition in London in 1862.

But despite their properties, plastic products cause great harm to our nature. They pollute it.

Plastic has become a real epidemic of the XXI century. It is found everywhere: plastic utensils, bags, packaging, toys, furniture, home and car decoration, pots, flowers, appliances and much more. Without any doubt, we can say that a person living in a big city is faced with this material every day. Have you ever wondered where such a large amount of plastic things go? Most of it ends up in the oceans, and only a small fraction (only 5%) is recycled. Environmental ecology suffers greatly from plastic pollution.

Plastic in the oceans

Many have heard of floating garbage islands in the Pacific Ocean. Allegedly, they are so huge that they can be seen from space. In reality, it is not. There are no islands, but there is a lot of garbage. It is scattered over the surface of the entire oceans, and from above it resembles New Year's confetti. And the photos floating around the Internet show coastal accumulations of plastic and everything else.

A serious environmental problem is brewing. In 2014, over 310 million tons of plastic were produced worldwide. At the current annual production growth rate, by 2050 the volume of plastic produced in the world will exceed a billion (!) tons per year. Just think about these numbers! According to a 2017 World Economic Forum report, by 2050 plastic waste in the world's oceans will outweigh fish by weight.

Facts about plastic

We bring to your attention some interesting facts about the production, processing and use of plastic, the reading of which, as a rule, makes you think and at least slightly change your outlook on its consumption.

1. More plastic has been produced in the last 10 years than in the previous 100 years.

2. In most cases, all plastic products are used only 1 time, and then simply thrown away.

3. Only 5% of plastic is recycled.

4. About 1 million plastic bags are used every minute around the world.

5. Because of such a large amount of garbage in the oceans, marine animals and birds began to “feed” on it. The situation has reached the point that already 44% of seabirds and 22% of cetaceans have plastic in their stomachs. He, in turn, is a frequent cause of their death.

6. Plastic products are known to decompose from 500 to 1000 years. Accordingly, all plastic that was made by man exists to this day in one form or another (not counting burned).

7. About 8% of all oil produced in the world is used for the production of plastic things.

How to Reduce Plastic Pollution

If you truly care about the future of your children, humanity and the planet as a whole, then you need to start changing your consumer habits today. It may seem to someone that his actions are “a drop in the ocean”, but believe me, this is not so. First, if you think like that, then nothing will ever get off the ground. Secondly, any person can become an example and inspirer for someone, and thus a chain of good actions to protect the environment will begin.

So, to reduce the pollution of nature with plastic, you should resort to the recommendations listed below:

1. Avoid using plastic bags. Buy or make your own rag bag for shopping.

2. Stop using plastic utensils. It can be replaced with glass containers, paper bags, wooden utensils, etc. In addition, eating from such dishes is much more pleasant. And you do not need to spend money on buying a new one every time - you wash it and you can use it again.

3. Don't buy water in plastic bottles. Get a reusable one and carry it with you at all times. And lovers of hot drinks are advised to buy a thermos mug so that they do not have to use plastic cups.

4. Store all information in the "cloud" services. It is both convenient and very environmentally friendly. You do not need to buy CDs and DVDs.

5. Take part in various promotions and events on the topic of ecology and garbage collection.

6. Sort your garbage. This will make it possible to send waste products not to a landfill, but to recycling, which will significantly positively affect the environment. There is a Recycle map project, it will help you find garbage collection points. Pollution of nature with plastic can be significantly reduced, one has only to accustom oneself to a culture of consumerism. Try to replace any plastic product with a similar eco-friendly alternative. Now it is not a problem to do this, as they say, there would be a desire.

Ilya Laptev

Chief Editor

Plastic in the world's oceans

Plastic was invented in the middle of the 19th century. But mass production began after World War II. This material is used almost everywhere - for the production of disposable tableware and spacecraft, the construction of houses, and the production of household appliances. It took mankind less than half a century for polymers to clog the planet's ecosystem, and garbage islands and even continents appeared in the ocean.

Scale of pollution

There is no clear information about the extent of pollution. According to US oceanographers, every year humanity throws about 8 million tons of plastic into the ocean. The leader is the main production shop of the World - China. This country throws out about two and a half million tons of polymer waste per year. Among the leaders in pollution are both developing and non-developed countries. Among them are Nigeria, Indonesia, Philippines, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia. Every year, humanity produces about 280 million tons of plastic, of which about 3% ends up in the ocean.

Garbage continents and islands

In the ocean, plastic does not remain in its original form, although it does not completely decompose. Under the influence of salt water and the sun, it turns into small particles, forming the so-called "plastic soup". Already, every cubic meter of ice in the Arctic contains between 40 and 240 polymer particles. In total, there are about five trillion such particles in the world's oceans!

Another problem is that the plastic does not just stay on the surface, or settle to the bottom. At the same time, depending on various factors, it sinks to the bottom, collects on the surface, and remains in the water column. Scientists find polymer threads in the rich flora and fauna of the underwater world - on coral reefs, underwater plants, on the seabed.

In addition, it is absorbed by marine animals. Representatives of a wide variety of species from plankton to whales swallow plastic in different forms. Animal organisms are not adapted to the digestion of polymers. As a result, entire species of marine life are under the threat of extinction.

Unfortunately, garbage continents and islands are not someone's inventions. The most famous of them - Garbage Continent, located in the northern part of the Pacific Ocean, was discovered in 1997 by Charles Moore. It is located near Hawaii. Its origin was predicted back in 1988 by US oceanographers. They analyzed the amount of expected plastic production, and also correlated this with where undercurrents direct the existing debris. At the moment, the exact area of ​​the garbage continent is unknown. According to various sources, it ranges from 750 thousand to one and a half million square kilometers.

How did this become possible?

Another "achievement" of civilization is the infamous garbage island in the Maldives. 28% of the GDP of this state comes from tourism. Each tourist produces about 4.5 kg of garbage per day. About a million tourists visit the Maldives every year (the population of the country is less than 350 thousand people). One can only imagine how much waste accumulates here in a year.

The authorities solved this problem very simply. They poured an artificial island right in the center of the state. Thilafushi is only 5 kilometers from the capital. Garbage is simply brought here and covered with earth, without worrying about recycling. Not surprisingly, some of the waste ends up in the ocean. In the waters of the Maldives there is a unique ecosystem of coral reefs, home to more than a thousand species of fish, several hundred molluscs, and unique species of sea turtles. It is easy to guess that polymers remain in the ecosystem, are absorbed by animals, and, as a result, harm the ecology of the "paradise islands".

The fight against plastic

Dutch student Bojan Slat shocked the Internet community with his active struggle to cleanse the world's oceans. He created a design for protective floating barriers, which are designed to catch plastic from the sea and then funnel it to floating recycling platforms. The Dutchman started with sheer enthusiasm. The first success for the twenty-year-old activist came after he managed to raise 80 thousand dollars on crowdfunding. Slat did not stop there and set out to raise a million. Many criticize his ideas, but the Dutchman continues to attract public attention and develop his projects.

Other voices call to fight not with the consequence, but with the cause of pollution. An alternative point of view suggests the creation of an economic model that will significantly reduce the production of polymers. Several years ago, a group of scientists from the United Kingdom, the United States and Japan called on the world community to recognize plastic as a toxic material. In their opinion, the transition to the category of toxic materials will change the approach to the creation and processing. First of all, they call for changing the status of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyurethane and polycarbonate.

Politicians of the leading powers of the world agree that manufacturers need to be stimulated economically for less production and more efficient processing of plastic.

In America, Europe, Japan, start-ups are emerging that are working to create a biodegradable alternative to plastic based on organic products - corn, starch, sunflower husks, agricultural waste. In Chile, several young people from California have created a sports brand based on recycled waste. They fish out plastic, fishing nets and other "recyclables" from the ocean, recycle, and then make skateboards, surfboards, and other sports equipment.
If people do not start actively fighting plastic, then nature will begin to fight it, which can become an even greater tragedy. Scientists from Japan have found a bacterium that eats away plastic. She was named - Ideonellasakaiensis 201-F6. Researchers have discovered that this bacterium secretes an acid that degrades PET into environmentally friendly substances. This is a type of mutation of microorganisms of the Ideonella class. They arose as a result of the accumulation of polymers in the planet's ecosystem.

While Ideonellasakaiensis 201-F6 is only in its infancy and the active enzyme cannot be used to decompose plastic into harmless substances. But it would be logical to assume that if the mutation evolves, humanity risks ending up in the world of science fiction novels, where there is no oil, which means no plastic. Now try to imagine a world without computers, vehicles, household appliances and much more where plastic is used. Throughout history, mankind has faced many challenges. But in the 21st century, it becomes obvious that the biggest problems on this planet are people who create themselves.

According to a recent study published in Science, 12.7 million tons of plastic have entered the world's oceans. Don't be surprised by these appalling numbers, these are just a fraction of the amount of household waste that countries along the coastline generate. Since 1980, global plastic production has grown by 500%. In terms of ocean water pollution, plastic makes up 80 to 90%. Nevertheless, most of it remains on land, in the territory of third world countries that do not have the necessary technologies for sorting and efficient processing of artificial material.

In fact, it is the developing countries that are responsible for the biggest pollution. The same study notes that among the top 20 polluters in the Western world, the United States ranks only 20th.

Is it even possible to imagine our future devoid of plastic? Many believe that the further reduction of fossil fuels will force humanity to look for an alternative to replace plastic with something cheaper. But even if humanity refuses to produce plastic products, this does not mean the disappearance of plastic waste, which can remain in the ecosystem for a very long time.

Life without plastic

You can start to gradually reduce the use of plastic products, and thus reduce the ecological footprint in the environment. Among these guidelines are tips to buy rubber shoes and use paper or cardboard packaging, ceramic or glassware.

However, this is not easy: synthetic plastic can be found in almost everything we buy. All this is due to the wide range of characteristics that can be obtained using polymers. Therefore, switching back to natural materials does not seem to be a very practical solution. In addition, life without plastic is much more expensive.

Ban plastic?

In addition to personal initiatives and programs of public organizations, the governments of some countries have decided to legally reduce the level of consumption of plastic products in their countries. In 1990, Nantucket Island in the United States banned the use of plastic bags. A few years later, California followed the example of the island leadership and introduced the same restrictions. A similar decision by China in 2008 to ban the use of single-use bags by the public reduced the amount of this type of plastic by 50%. Although other countries have tried to impose a complete ban on all types of plastic bags, their attempts have not always been successful.

The European Union has not yet approved the decision, but has already committed member states to reduce the use of lightweight plastic bags by 80%. This should reduce the consumption of plastic bags by the average European from 170 per year to 40 within ten years. Italy became a pioneer in this matter and completely got rid of plastic, which is not biodegradable, in 2011. At the same time, France only introduced a law that banned single-use plastic bags in 2016.

Biodegradable or bioplastic

The first step in reducing the human plastic footprint in the environment was the introduction of biodegradable plastic with the addition of special substances. However, this does not solve the problem of its petrochemical origin when non-renewable resources are used. Therefore, the next step should be the development of a bioplastic that does not depend on oil or gas.

There has been steady progress in the manufacture of bioplastics based on starch and cellulose. One example is polylactic acid, derived from the same compound as polystyrene.

Among the researchers experimenting with new biological sources for biodegradable plastics is a team at the Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa who are working on a process to make plastic from food waste such as parsley, spinach stalk and bean husks. Their method allows to obtain a material with different properties: from hard to soft and flexible.

Comparison of the mechanical properties of new biodegradable materials with synthetic polymers derived from oil showed that the characteristics of bioplastics correspond to synthetics in many respects.

Microbes eat plastic

Even with very limited use of petrochemical plastics and everyday use of biodegradable plastics in disposable packaging, there will still be millions of tons of plastic waste around that has yet to be recycled (not just buried in the ground).

Bacteria can be found in nature, such as the earthen bacterium of the genus Pseudomonas, and even fungi, similar to those that live on trees, are able to digest artificial plastic naturally.

"Here is the answer!" - You will say - "Mountains of plastic will destroy microbes for us!"

But everything is not so simple. In order for microorganisms to start doing their job, certain “comfortable” conditions must be created for them, such as high temperature and ultraviolet lighting.

Recently, a group of researchers from Beihang University in Beijing found a way to make bacteria work without special conditions. They drew attention to the caterpillar of a certain species of butterflies, which mainly feeds on plastic products. When they looked into her intestines, they found two types of bacteria there that break down polyethylene without special conditions. The published study noted that this provided promising evidence for the biodegradability of polyethylene in normal environments.

Reverse recycling

Many leading countries have focused on increasing the rate of plastics recycling. However, experts still warn that this approach is not a panacea: unlike glass containers, plastic containers do not become the same objects, but receive a new form, which also ends up in a landfill.

An interesting alternative came from India. If plastic is made from oil, why not turn it back into liquid fuel?

Indian chemist Ashut Kumar and chemical engineer Raghubansh Kumar Singh of the National Institute of Technology in Odisha proposed their method of converting polyethylene into liquid fuel, diesel and something similar to gasoline at 450 degrees Celsius. Thus, they were able to get 700 grams of fuel from every kilogram of plastic. In their work, they emphasize that their method of recycling plastic waste can solve the problem of pollution, especially in developing countries.

Plastics in the oceans usually break down within a year, but not completely, and in the process, toxic chemicals such as bisphenol A and polystyrene can be released into the water from some plastics. Polystyrene particles and nardles are the most common types of plastic pollution in the oceans, and combined with plastic wrap, bags and food containers, make up the majority of ocean litter.

In 2012, it was estimated that there were approximately 165 million tons of plastic debris in the oceans. According to 2014 estimates, there are 268,940 tons of plastic on the surface of the ocean, and the total number of individual pieces of plastic debris is 5.25 trillion.

The impact of plastic on animals

Some marine species, such as sea turtles, have been found with significant amounts of plastic in their stomachs. When this happens, the animal is usually starving because the plastics are blocking the animal's gastrointestinal tract. Marine mammals can sometimes become entangled in plastic items such as nets, which can harm or kill them.

More than 260 animal species, including invertebrates, have been reported to either accidentally swallow plastic or become entangled in plastic. When an individual becomes entangled, its movement is severely restricted, making it very difficult for it to find food. Entanglement usually results in death or severe tears and ulcers.

It has been estimated that over 400,000 marine mammals die each year as a result of plastic pollution in the oceans. In 2004, it was estimated that seagulls in the North Sea had an average of thirty pieces of plastic in their stomachs.

The impact of plastic on humans

plastics contain many different kinds of chemicals depending on the type of plastic. The addition of chemicals is the main reason why these plastics have become so versatile, however this creates problems associated with it. Some of the chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics carry the risk of being absorbed by humans through skin absorption.

At the moment, not much is known about how badly people can be physically harmed by these chemicals. Some of the chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics can cause dermatitis when in contact with human skin.

Many plastics use only small amounts of these toxic chemicals, but a significant amount of testing is often required to establish the presence of toxic elements contained in the plastic inert material or polymer.

Plastic pollution can also affect people aesthetically, creating a " eyesore”, which interferes with the pleasure of contemplating the natural environment.

earth and plastic

chlorinated plastic can release harmful chemicals into the soil, which can then seep into groundwater or other nearby water sources. This can cause serious harm to the organisms that drink this water.

Landfill areas are constantly littered with many different types of plastics. These landfills contain many microorganisms, which accelerate the biodegradation of plastics. As for biodegradable plastics, as they decompose, methane, which is a very strong greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to global warming.

At some landfills, people are taking the initiative to install devices to capture methane and use it for energy, but most don't have the technology. Methane is not only released in landfills, biodegradable plastics also degrade when they get into the ground, in which case decomposition takes longer.

These plates are not eaten twice

Experts say: plates, forks, spoons and cups made of polymer materials cannot be used more than once.

This even applies to plastic water bottles. It is strictly forbidden to pour milk or alcoholic drinks there - it will turn out poisonous mixture.

The main rule when choosing disposable tableware is to carefully read the label. Each branded product must have a label showing what the packaging is made of. If there is no marking, then it is better to take care of your health and purchase the product in glass containers.

The PVC icon (PVC-polyvinylchloride) or the number 3 in a triangle on the bottom of the bottle or plastic packaging warns the buyer about its toxicity.

• RE (PE)- polyethylene,
• PETF (PET) or PET (PET)- polyethylene terephthalate,
• RR (PP)- polypropylene.
• PS (PS)- means polystyrene (its code is the number 6).

In addition, the image of the plate and fork, the numbers 05 and 1, confirm the safety.

Marking on disposable tableware - what does it mean?

Not all buyers know what the marking means and how such dishes can be used.

Plastic with this marking is made from polypropylene. Dishes with this marking can be used for hot drinks and foods. Such dishes can withstand up to +100 ° C. You can drink hot tea and coffee from polypropylene glasses, and heat food on plates in the microwave.

You can't pour alcohol. From the contact of alcohol and polypropylene, toxins are released - formaldehyde and phenol. These toxins also affect the kidneys and liver, but there is still a chance of going blind.

The triangle on the packaging, consisting of three arrows, says that the dishes are made from recycled raw materials. Inside the triangle, as a rule, there are numbers.

They talk about the type of processing. So if you see

• 1–19 are plastic,
• 20–39 - paper and cardboard,
• 40–49 - metal,
• 50–59 - wood,
• 60–69 - fabric and textiles,
• 70–79 - glass.

The sign " glass - fork" means that the dishes are suitable for any dishes, including the first (hot). If the icon is applied to the packaging in this form, then the products can even be stored in such dishes.

But if such an icon is underlined, plastic products are not intended for contact with food.

Dangerous plastic

We often underestimate the danger it can pose to our health. It turns out that there is a relatively safe and dangerous plastic. Since we still have no way out, it is worth taking care of choosing the lesser evil. Some types of plastic are really dangerous.

Information about the material used in the manufacture of the package is located on its bottom in the form of a graphic symbol consisting of three arrows forming a triangle. In the middle of the triangle are numbers from 1 to 7, indicating the type of material from which the packaging is made.

What are these numbers?

• PET (PET)

This plastic is mainly used in the production of disposable beverage containers. Typical PET packaging is mineral water bottles. Such packaging, even after careful cleaning, can release toxic chemicals when reused. Never reuse this kind of material.

• HDPE (LDPE)

Low-pressure polyethylene(high density) is used for the production of semi-rigid containers, it is one of the safest plastics and can be reused.

• PVC

PVC very often used, for example, in the production of food packaging films. PVC is hazardous to health and can release toxins. When burned, polyvinyl chloride produces highly hazardous chemical compounds known as dioxins, which are often more dangerous than potassium cyanide.

• LDPE (HDPE)

High density polyethylene(low density) used in many types of packaging (e.g. plastic bags) is considered recyclable and safer than many other plastics, but not as safe as plastics 2 and 5.

• PP (PP)

Polypropylene reusable is often found as a material for food containers. It belongs to the group of the safest plastics along with material 2 (HDPE).

• PS (PS)

Polystyrene well known in the form of foam. PS releases toxins and should not be used as food packaging. It is also rarely used for this purpose due to the lower chemical resistance of polyethylene, but is present, for example, in lids for disposable coffee cups.

• OTHER (OTHER)

Never reuse plastic items marked 7. This group includes many types of harmful chemicals, including the highly toxic Bisphenol A (BPA), which can contribute to schizophrenia, depression, or Alzheimer's disease.

In addition, eating foods that come into contact with BPA can lead to disorders of the nervous and endocrine systems, and even cancer. Never use such products in microwave ovens that allow BPA to penetrate deeper into food.

• bottles, dishes for children, in pacifiers;
• disposable packaging and utensils;
• epoxy resins on the inner surface of cans with canned products;
• cosmetic products as an antioxidant;
• medical equipment;
• kitchen appliances;
• glasses for glasses;
• water coolers;
• electronic and automotive industries.

In order to avoid poisoning from packaged food, simple nuances should be taken into account.

First of all, remember that disposable tableware is disposable!!!

At every stage of its life cycle, plastic poses a threat to humans, according to a new report, "Plastic and Health: The Real Cost of Plastic Addiction," published by the Center for International Environmental Law.

The report, for the first time, examines the impact of plastic on the human body and the environment at all stages of its life cycle: from a well to an oil refinery, from store shelves to contact with hands, from landfills to air, water and soil pollution. Prior to this, research was limited to specific points in the life cycle of a material, specific products, processes, or pathways of exposure.

Key findings of the report:

• Plastic poses a risk to human health at every stage of its life cycle: dangerous chemicals are formed during the extraction and production of raw materials, new toxic substances are added to plastic during use, and when plastic becomes garbage, it pollutes the environment and our food.
• A link has been established between the production of plastic and diseases of the nervous system, cancer, especially leukemia, decreased reproductive function and genetic mutations.
• When using plastic products, people ingest and/or inhale large amounts of microplastics and hundreds of toxic substances that can cause cancer, developmental delays, and endocrine disruption.
• Due to uncertainty and lack of information, it is difficult to give a full assessment of the risks to human health at all stages of the life cycle of plastic. It also limits the ability of consumers and legislators to make informed decisions.

“The risks to human health and the entire ecological system associated with plastic pollution have been ignored for far too long. It is now obvious that they must be taken into account first of all when making decisions regarding the development of the plastic industry. Not only our nature, seas, oceans and animals suffer from plastic addiction, but every one of us. We already know enough to start moving away from single-use plastics. But the most dangerous thing is that we still do not know much. The database of chemicals potentially used in the production of plastic packaging contains about four thousand items. At the same time, scientists analyzed about thousands of substances and at least 148 of them were identified as very dangerous. This shows how many problematic chemicals still need to be studied in order to assess their impact on human health. Although much remains to be learned about the impact of plastic, one thing is already clear: it is necessary for the state and business to start reducing the production and use of single-use plastics and switch to reuse systems,” says Varvara Yarovaya, Greenpeace Zero Waste project expert.

The report was prepared by experts from international non-profit organizations and the University of Exeter. Greenpeace translated . You can read the full report in English