IT’S WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY on June 5 and the theme is “Combating Plastic Pollution”. Organizer United Nations has long been alarmed by this problem which poses significant threats to biodiversity, human health, and the global economy. And despite unwavering efforts to curb it, global plastic production has doubled in the recent decades with much of the plastic waste still ending up in the landfills or polluting the environment.
Some key figures:
*An estimated 20 million metric tons of plastic litter enter the environment annually with a big number going to oceans, rivers, and lakes.
*Plastic pollution costs billions of dollars annually due to reduced marine ecosystem services (mainly food supply and regeneration) and clean-up efforts.
-The Philippines, with its wealth of water bodies along with stretches of coastal areas, ranks third in the global plastic pollution.
‘As a non-biodegradable material, plastic can not be decomposed. It just remains on earth … a big part of which is dumped in bodies of water choking fishes and other marine creatures …’
DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS
As a non-biodegradable material, plastic can not be decomposed. It just remains on earth in the form of trash, a big part of which is dumped in bodies of water choking fishes and other marine creatures or if they survive, pass on their toxic elements to humans’ digestive systems.
There is an even more destructive kind many are not yet aware of: microplastics.
At sea, the actions of sun, wind, and waves break down plastic waste into small particles which further break down into microfibers.
Plastic microfibers have been found in municipal drinking water systems and drifting through the air. Scientists have now found such particles in people’s blood, lungs, and even feces. They are now urgently studying the extent of harm microplastics are doing to human health.
BEATING PLASTICS
So, there must be continuing efforts to limit throwing them away to landfills and oceans, toxic chemical substances and all.
Recycling has been the popular method to make used plastics more than pure waste.
Aside from disposing plastics to garbage collectors, they can be sold or donated to recycling or upcycling entrepreneurs to become valuable and long-used products like furnitures, ornaments, floorings, fashion accessories, and other creative stuffs.
Big businesses also reclaim their plastic containers to re-use or recycle in their new productions instead of adding plastic supply to the environment.
More sophisticated and large-scale recycling innovations have also sprouted, using advanced technologies with added value to the environment.
Petgas, a Mexican start-up company, is one example by focusing on converting plastics into high-quality fuels like kerosene, diesel, gasoline, gas, and paraffin, through thermal recycling called pyrolysis, the leading core recycling technology.
BE A PLASTIC WARRIOR
Getting real, curse plastic we may, but no individual and household I guess can fully get it out of one’s life. At the least, we should adopt new habits and mindset as consumers in support of the massive and urgent campaign to combat plastic pollution for better environment, health, and economy. Let me count the ways, which may already be singsong to the ears:
Avoid single-use plastics like beverage straws, cups, fast-food utensils. Bring own water bottle for refill.
Bring a cloth ecobag to market and mall to cut down on the stores’ plastic bags.
Buy glass-bottled or paper-packed products and in bulk rather than in sachet forms.
If you get to use a plastic-packed product like water or juice and you’re in a resort, make sure not to litter the water body and the shore.
A fruitful celebration World Environment Day in June 5, 2025!