Plastic Waste Hits 50 Pounds Per Person
According to new data from phys.org, plastic waste generated per person per year has hit 36 gm, which is over 50 pounds. “Longer-term projections are equally grim, with the amount of plastic waste estimated to triple by 2060 globally. Increasing consumption is driving the search for alternatives—biodegradable and durable materials that would not only replace but also outperform synthetic plastics.”
*Plastics And Environment
One logical question is why it matters. Plastic will virtually never disappear. It continues to degrade substantially for 1,000 years after it is manufactured. In the meantime, the UN reports that it chokes marine life, damages soil, and poisons groundwater.
Plastic manufacturing requires large amounts of energy. This process creates 3.4% of greenhouse gas emissions.
Microplastics
Not as clear as some other problems, plastic proliferation increases the presence of microplastics in the environment. According to a Harvard Study, “Studies in cell cultures, marine wildlife, and animal models indicate that microplastics can cause oxidative damage, DNA damage, and changes in gene activity, known risks for cancer development. Microplastics have been found in human breast milk and meconium, an infant’s first stool.”
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