Avoid Plastic and Save Environment

Avoid Plastic and Save Environment

Plastic is like a common commodity which is essential in our daily lives. Bakelite, nylon and rubber are some examples of synthetic plastics. Almost everything is made of plastic! They are very convenient to use because of their malleability and plasticity. They can be easily moulded by heating. Plastic product may be non-toxic, but some small amounts of the chemicals remain trapped in the product. As a result, when these plastics come in contact with food stuffs, the chemicals mix with the food which we subsequently consume. Plastics are non-biodegradable solids. When we burnt, they release some toxic fumes which cause ozone depletion and pollution; many chemicals are released into the air as well as into water. All these bear hazardous environmental consequences. Plastics are made of crude oil and can be used as fuel. One litter of hydrocarbon is produced from one kilogram of plastic waste. Over 1 trillion plastic bags are used every year worldwide. Consider China, a country of 1.3 billion, which consumes 3 billion plastic bags daily, according to the news. About 1 million plastic bags are used every minute. More than 3.5 million tons of plastic bags, sacks and wraps were discarded in 2008. Plastic bags remain toxic even after they break down. Plastic bags are the second-most common type of ocean refuse, after cigarette butts (2008). All it takes to significantly reduce environmental damage is to get a whole lot of people talking and taking one small step! For ideas, people can pledge to “Boycott Plastic Bags” for simple, easy-to-follow ways to reduce waste and go green! As an added bonus, this would help save money too. Apart from the government imposing legislation in this regard, keeping environment safe and clean should be our sacred duty.