Plastic is an integral part of our lives. We use it everywhere: in food packaging, clothing, furniture, cars, appliances, etc. But have you ever thought about what happens to plastic after we get rid of it? How it affects our health and the environment? A recent study found that every week we inhale the equivalent of credit card plastic. So where does all this plastic pollution end up?
Plastic in our bodies
A study conducted by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) found that each person in the world consumes about 5 grams of plastic each year. That’s the equivalent of the weight of a credit card. Most of this plastic enters our bodies through water and food. Microplastics can be found in the foods we eat, such as seafood, water, and salt. Microplastics can also be in the air we breathe.
Plastic in the seas and oceans
Large amounts of plastic end up in the seas and oceans. Each year, about 8 million tons of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans. This pollutes the water and kills animals that get trapped in plastic or die from poisoning.
Plastic on Earth
In addition, large amounts of plastic end up on the ground. Plastic waste is dumped in landfills and contaminates nature. It can end up in rivers and lakes, polluting the water and threatening the lives of animals and plants.
What to do?
We need to take action to combat plastic pollution. We can start with ourselves by reviewing our lifestyles and reducing our consumption of plastic. We can use reusable bags, bottles, cups, etc. In addition, we need to improve recycling systems and switch to cleaner sources of energy.
In conclusion, plastic is a problem that needs immediate attention. We cannot continue to pollute our planet with plastic. We need to act now to preserve our nature for future generations.
