How We Can Stop Plastic Pollution

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(Image via WWF)

Arlenne Olvera Arreola, Writer

    It is official, this generation has a problem. One of the biggest problems is plastic pollution. Plastic is in just about everything these days. It’s in our clothing, glitter, tea bags, gum, and most likely the electronic device you are reading this on. But, why am I telling you this? Well, because in the past few years the growth in plastic pollution has grown immensely.

      Most of the plastic produced doesn’t even come from the United States. A place that produces lots of plastic is China. Because of the economic rise in China, we’ve been depending on them for lots of manufactured products. Most of these products have some sort of plastic in them. Because of the high demand for quality plastic, China has been manufacturing more and more plastic. For some strange reason, China decided that a good way to recycle plastic is by dumping it into the ocean. This is not good for the environment and not good for the living creatures that live in the ocean. All of the fish, turtles, whales, and so much more are mistaking the plastic being dumped for food. So they’re eating it which isn’t healthy since plastic isn’t meant to be digested, fish also might swim by the plastic and get tangled in with it and suffocate. Another problem with plastic in the ocean is that the plastic being dumped is coming back onshore in tremendous amounts. In some areas of the world, it’s so bad that there are giant piles all over made up of pure trash, plastic, and other kinds of things. This is super bad for the environment and there are many ways to help.

     One great way to help reduce the amount of plastic you use is by simply buying a reusable water bottle. Instead of having to buy a plastic water bottle all the time, try to buy one that can be reused and won’t kill our environment? Another plastic product we tend to use a lot is plastic bags. But many stores aren’t giving the option of using plastic bags anymore. That is a great start to saving the environment. 

     Another really great (possibly fun) way to stop plastic pollution is helping your community by going to a local park and picking up any trash in that area. And whenever you’re at a public area and your enjoying some food, be sure to clean up after yourself. You might not think that leaving a few plastic things lying around makes a big difference, but it does. One way or another plastic makes its way to the ocean which is bad for everyone.

     In conclusion, these are some things you might want to know about how to help end plastic pollution. Hopefully, you’ll come to your senses and see that some of these things can be helpful. Maybe one day, plastic pollution will be a thing of the past and we won’t have to worry about it but until then we have a lot of work to do.

Want to learn about more surprising products that contain plastic? Click here:  Moral Fibres

Want to learn about more ways to end plastic pollution? Click here: Earth Day Network