The Lowdown Series

• One of the easiest ways to get involved is reducing what you use. Globally, only 9% of plastic waste is recycled.

• Despite the world producing approximately 400 million tons of plastic waste annually, the recycling rate remains low. Plastic recycling faces challenges due to its inability to be repeatedly recycled without degrading in quality. For instance, the U.S. recycled only about 5% to 6% of the 40 million tons of plastic waste generated in 2021.

• Let's do something positive and reduce our plastic usage.

Plastic waste has significant negative impacts on both landfills and oceans:

1. Landfills:

   • When plastic waste is mismanaged (not recycled, incinerated, or kept in sealed landfills), it becomes an environmental pollutant.

   • Plastics can take hundreds of years to break down in landfills due to their resistance to degradation. This longevity contributes to the problem.

   • Landfills filled with plastic waste can release harmful chemicals into the soil and groundwater, affecting local ecosystems and potentially human health.

2. Oceans:

   • An estimated 33 billion pounds (about 15 billion kilograms) of plastic enter the marine environment every year. That’s equivalent to two rubbish trucks’ worth of plastic entering the ocean every minute!

   • Plastic pollution in oceans has devastating effects on aquatic animals: Some animals consume plastic, leading to ingestion-related issues. Others become entangled in plastic debris, causing injury or death.

   • Plastic breaks down into microplastics, tiny particles smaller than 0.2 inches in diameter, which can harm marine life and ecosystems.

In summary, plastic pollution poses a major threat to our environment, affecting wildlife, ecosystems, and human well-being. Proper waste management and reducing plastic use are crucial steps to mitigate these harmful effects.