Plastic Pollution: A Growing Crisis

Plastic's durability makes it useful, but also means it persists in the environment for hundreds or thousands of years. Single-use plastics (packaging, bottles, bags) are a major contributor to waste.

Key Issues:

• Ocean Pollution: Millions of tons enter the oceans annually, harming marine life through ingestion and entanglement.
• Microplastics: Larger plastics break down into tiny fragments (microplastics) that contaminate water, soil, air, and even our food chain.
• Landfill Burden: Most plastic isn't recycled and takes up valuable landfill space, potentially leaching chemicals.
• Resource Depletion: Most plastics are derived from fossil fuels.

Solutions involve reducing consumption (especially single-use items), improving waste management and recycling infrastructure, and developing sustainable alternative materials.