In 2024, Protect Our Planet And Make The New Year More Meaningful

The Earth is our big family of humans, animals, and plants, but now it is no longer a clean and beautiful Earth. It has become riddled with wounds and bruises, crying alone. The Earth does not know how to tell the misfortunes it faces.

At present, the ecological environment is deteriorating day by day, and what affects us is water resources. Plastic products are causing damage to the ecological environment. According to relevant data reports:

1. Disrupting the city's appearance and environment

Abandoned plastics bring negative visual stimuli to people, affecting the overall beauty of cities and scenic spots, damaging the city's appearance and landscape, and thus causing visual pollution. According to statistics, global plastic consumption is increasing at a rate of 8% per year, and the annual consumption of plastic will reach over 700 million tons by 2030.

2. Impact on human health

"Microplastics" refer to plastic fragments and particles with a diameter less than 5 millimeters. Although they cannot be completely degraded, they gradually become smaller and become microplastics smaller than the particles. Microplastics are ubiquitous in human living environments and are distributed in water, atmosphere, and soil environments. Due to the recalcitrant nature of plastics, microplastics in these environments can persist for a long time and may enter the human body through ingestion and respiration. Moreover, microplastics have a large specific surface area and are prone to adsorbing toxic pollutants such as metals and organic matter, which can be carried into the human body, causing oxidative stress reactions and inflammation, as well as disrupting energy balance and metabolism.

3. Dispose of contaminated soil and water at will

The degradation of plastic products usually takes several decades to several hundred years. If plastic products remain in farmland for a long time, it will affect the absorption of water and nutrients by crops, inhibit their growth and development, and cause a reduction in crop yield. If animals accidentally consume plastic products, it can cause indigestion and even death. Plastic is also ubiquitous in the ocean, and according to statistics, at least 276 marine organisms worldwide have died from ingesting plastic waste.

4. Landfill treatment for polluted groundwater

Large amounts of landfill plastic waste can pollute groundwater. Due to the low density and large volume of plastic film, the landfill site will soon be filled, and the ability to handle garbage will decrease accordingly; On the other hand, due to the soft foundation of landfills, harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses in the garbage can easily seep into the ground, contaminating groundwater and endangering the surrounding environment.

5. Burning treatment leads to secondary pollution

Plastic incineration poses a serious threat to health, such as excessive dioxin emissions caused by polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This persistent bioaccumulated toxin can spread to the air and soil, affecting nearby flora and fauna.

The smoke and particles emitted from burning plastics and other waste can cause respiratory health problems, especially in children, the elderly, asthma patients, and patients with chronic heart or lung disease. Polychlorinated dibenzofurans and polychlorinated biphenyls are well-known carcinogens, and the metals released are known neurotoxins.

So, what should we do?

ㆍ Classify and recycle garbage;

ㆍ Avoid using disposable items such as tableware and cups;

ㆍ Avoid purchasing products with excessive packaging;

ㆍ Replacing traditional plastic bags with Biodegradable and Compostable bags will not cause environmental pollution after use.

Learn more about plastic alternatives and choose alternatives that are more environmentally friendly and suitable for oneself.