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Plastic Pollution Essay: The Environmental Impact of Plastic Waste

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Essay on Plastic Pollution

Plastic waste makes its way from our homes and offices to landfills and bodies of water, causing contamination. For the sake of health and the environment, it is important to properly dispose of such plastic waste and to reduce its widespread use. Here we have provided both a Long and Short essay on plastic pollution for students of Class 1 to 12.

 

Students can refer to these plastic pollution essays in English to gain some insights on the topic as well as a reference for writing their essays.

Long Essay on Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution is becoming more of a global problem. Governments, foundations, and some social media organizations are all attempting to raise awareness about this issue. Plastic goods are commonly used in industry because they are more effective and less costly than other materials.

 

Plastic, on the other hand, triggers a slew of environmental issues. Plastic pollution has several negative effects on our climate, but the three most important are ocean pollution, land pollution, and food pollution.

 

Plastic pollution is wreaking havoc on the oceans, and it's getting worse every year. Some governments are imposing strict regulations to discourage the use of plastic goods so that people are aware of the effect of plastic waste on the environment. As a result, action must be taken to address this issue before it is too late.

 

Plastics come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they are commonly used in our everyday lives. Today, it's difficult to find a substance that isn't made of plastic. Thermosets, also known as thermoplastics, are used in several products.

 

The following are a few examples of plastic objects that people typically use in their daily lives:

  • PET fabric and polyester condensers.

  • LCDs.

  • Plastic tapes–fabrics, garments, curtains, carpets, conveyors, mouldings, tarpaulins, etc. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)–used in water bottles, tubes, detergent bottles, food trays in microwaves.

  • PET fabric and polyester condensers, LCDs, and plastic tapes–fabrics, clothes, curtains, carpets, conveyors, mouldings have frequently broken FAQor or wall corsets made of polyvinyl chloride, automobile instrument boards, electrical wiring sheaths, games, syringes, cloth covers, window frames, and other high-density polyethene building materials Plastic bags, trash bags, prescription bottles, empty food containers, bottles, and milk bottle liners are all examples of items that can be recycled.


While it might seem that addressing chemical waste issues is as simple as recycling or washing empty bottles, the reality is that polluting plastic can vary in size from large to small.


Even if you don't want it on those products, plastic is all around us. Milk boxes are stuffed with cardboard, water bottles are strewn around, and some items can also contain small plastic pieces. Chemical pollutants are more likely to enter the environment and cause harm each time one of these items is discarded or swept away.


Plastic is one of the many widely available but overused items in today's world due to its low cost. When burned in the open, this does not decompose quickly and pollutes the underlying soil or groundwater.


Commercial fisheries are an unavoidable requirement in many parts of the world, but many people consume fish daily. Nonetheless, this industry has culminated in a variety of solutions to the problem of plastic pollution in the oceans. Plastic is often used in the nets used by certain large-scale troll operations. Second, they spend a lot of time submerged in water, where they can freely release contaminants, but they are frequently dissolved or killed, leaving them to live wherever they land. It not only destroys and threatens native animals, but it also allows chemicals to swim away and contaminate nearby fish.


The majority of the items are made of plastic, but most of the materials are not biodegradable, making disposal difficult. There were no natural methods in place to recycle non-biodegradable plastics. It cannot be recycled or left to starve in the manner in which traditional waste is discarded or spilt.


Also, reuse does not reduce steel use because it recycles existing plastics in a new shape. In a variety of ways, the method of paper recycling can result in the release of plastic allergens.

Short Plastic Pollution Essay in English

Plastic waste has long-term social, economic, and ecotoxicological effects. Entanglement, swallowing, and starvation are some of the physical effects on sea life. Chemical influence: the accumulation of residual chemical contaminants like PCBs and DDT.

 

It's easy to see how this amount of oil, which isn't meant to penetrate, can harm the environment over time, causing long-term problems for plants, animals, and humans. The following are a few of the major long-term consequences of pollution:

  1. Upsets the Flow of Food - Polluting materials, which come in smaller and larger dimensions, impact even the tiniest species on the earth, such as plankton. When these species become contaminated as a result of plastic ingestion, it poses a threat to larger animals that depend on them for food. Any move further along the food supply chain can cause a slew of problems. Furthermore, it means that plastic is present in the fish that so many people consume daily.

  2. Groundwater Pollution - Chemicals are released into the soil and leak into groundwater, resulting in groundwater pollution (also known as groundwater contamination). Such a type of water pollution may also occur naturally as a result of the presence of a minor and undesirable component, contaminant, or impurity in underground water, in which case it is more likely to be referred to as waste rather than pollution. Plastics are responsible for almost all the waste and pollution that pollutes the world's oceans. It will have devastating effects for a variety of marine animals, with repercussions for those that consume fish or other sea life for food, such as humans.

  3. Land Pollution - Once dumped in landfills, the plastic reacts with water or forms toxic chemicals. If these pollutants flow deep into the water, they degrade its efficiency. The stench wafts through the litter and transports waste from one place to the next. They can also become entrapped in posts, traffic lights, trees, walls, houses, and other structures, as well as predators that may arrive in the area and suffocate to death.

  4. Air Pollution - Air pollution appears to be a mix of solid particles and gases in the atmosphere. Pollutants from automobiles, plants, smoke, pollen, and mould spores can all be stored as particulate matter. Ozone is a chemical that contributes significantly to urban air pollution. Smog is the term for when ozone causes air pollution. Some of the toxins in the air are poisonous.


Plastic trash disposal that isn't done properly would have a huge environmental effect. To ensure that the environment remains free of plastic waste, waste disposal using green technologies and proper waste management must be strictly controlled. The preservation of the environment from rising plastic contamination is the responsibility of every human being.

Causes of Plastic Pollution

Plastic can be found in everything from milk cartons to water bottles. Plastics are inexpensive, simple to manufacture, and extremely durable. Toxic contaminants have a greater probability of infiltrating the environment and causing harm every time one of these plastic objects is disposed of or rinsed down the drain.


It is one of the most commonly available and overused items in the world today because it is less expensive. Demand for low-cost plastics is increasing because of rising urbanization and population increase.


Because they're so inexpensive, they're also easily discarded. When burned in the open air, it does not degrade quickly and pollutes the ground and air nearby.


Waste is frequently carried by the winds. Plastic, because it is lightweight, is carried away by gentle winds and washed into sewers, rivers, streams and, eventually, the oceans. Natural disasters, such as floods, should also be taken into account as sources of plastic pollution.


Commercial fishing is a necessary economic industry in many regions of the world, but it has contributed to the problem of plastic pollution in the oceans in several ways. Plastic nets are commonly utilized in certain large-scale fishing activities. They are frequently broken apart or misplaced and can rot wherever they fall. Marine animals become entangled in nets and/or ingest the poisonous particles.


FAQs on Plastic Pollution Essay: The Environmental Impact of Plastic Waste

1. What do we Mean by Plastic Pollution?

Plastic Pollution occurs when synthetic plastic goods accumulate in the atmosphere to the point that they pose a threat to wildlife and their ecosystems, as well as human populations.

2. What are the Ways in Which we can Avoid/Control Plastic Pollution?

The reality is that the only way to fix this problem is for people and businesses all over the world to agree to and enforce pollution-reduction policies. The best plastic pollution solutions to control and avoid it are listed below.

  1. Shop Friendly - Plastic bags have become a daily convenience, but they can be easily replaced with plastic bags, some of which are elegantly structured and lightweight. Simply add up how many things you typically carry out of a store and divide by the number of times you shop there. It's a substantial sum of money! Take a bag and, if you have any, just use plastic bags as much as you can.

  2. Get Rid of Bottled Water - Drinking plenty of water is recommended every day, and giant water bottles are becoming a popular way to stay hydrated during the day. Furthermore, some of these are only licenced for individual use, meaning that any full container will end up in the trash. Several companies are now selling recycled water bottles as a substitute, reducing plastic waste and the availability of leaky bottles.

  3. Reduce the Usage of To-go Containers - You'd be amazed to hear how much plastic is used in the manufacture and storage of food containers. Though the cafe's drink cup is documented and usually wrapped in acrylic for padding (for either a cup of coffee or a piece of cardboard to see what's going on). Plastic food plates, lids, and cookware can all be quickly replaced with recycled materials, resulting in a substantial reduction in waste from only one meal.

3. Why is plastic pollution on the rise?

The accumulation of plastic in the environment causes plastic pollution. Primary plastics, such as cigarette butts and bottle caps, are classified as primary, whereas secondary plastics, which emerge from the decomposition of primary plastics, are classified as secondary. Its world production is increasing at an exponential rate. Plastic pollution is on the rise because of people's persistent need to use plastic. Its outstanding features, including simplicity of shape, low cost, and mechanical resistance, all contribute to its success. It is both inexpensive and readily available. Furthermore, plastic does not decompose in the soil or water; it persists for over a century, contributing to an increase in plastic pollution. Plastic is practically everywhere because it is the suitable material for packaging. Natural disasters, such as floods, should be considered plastic pollution sources.

4. How does plastic pollution affect the environment?

Plastic pollution has a range of effects on the environment. Plastic stays in the ecosystem for a long time, causing a hazard to wildlife and spreading pollutants. Plastic also majorly contributes to global warming. Almost all plastics are made from chemicals used in the manufacturing of fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change. To begin with, it pollutes our water. So, there is a scarcity of clean water and everyone's needs for clean water can’t be fulfilled. It is also eroding our soils and fields. Disease-carrying insects are accumulating in plastic landfills, and soil fertility is worsening. Plastics are also released into the atmosphere when they are burned in incinerators, releasing greenhouse gases and hazardous air pollution. Plastic has an impact on all organisms in the food chain, from microscopic plankton to whales.

5. Where can I get a collection of long and short essays for my school?

Vedantu has a good collection of long and short essays to help students from Class 1 – 12. Vedantu's online educational platform will provide you with a comprehensive learning experience. You will be able to chat with some of the instructors with adequate expertise to coach you for school exams, competitive exams, and so on through our live interactive teaching sessions. In addition to coaching classes, we provide revision notes for grades 6 to 12. You can also easily download them and access them as per your convenience. Students who are looking for good quality study material, can download that from Vedantu website in PDF format with no extra cost. You can also get more resources for free by downloading the Vedantu app.