plastic and environment

Plastic and Environme

nt

• The word plastic has been derived from the greek word ‘PLASTIKOS’ which means ‘FIT FOR MOULDING’.•Despite the many different uses of plastics, there are environmental and health hazards associated with disposal. This is because plastics are non-biodegradable.• The term non-biodegradable describes substances that do not break down to a natural, environmentally safe condition over time by biological processes. In other words, non-biodegradable materials do not decay.

INTRODUCTION

PLASTICPlastic is found in virtually everything these

days. Your food and hygiene products are packaged in it. Your car, phone and computer are made from it. And you might even chew on it daily in the form of gum. While most

plastics are touted as recyclable, the reality is that they're “downcycled.” A plastic milk carton can never be recycled into another

carton — it can be made into a lower-quality item like plastic lumber, which can’t be

recycled.

PLASTIC

• Soil fertility is also affected due to plastic material as it forms part of manure remaining in the soil for

years without natural degradation.• Death of animals due to suffocation, stomach and intestine related diseases due to improper disposal

of plastic.• Pollution of environment by by disposing of the plastic waste and chemicals used in the process of manufacturing plastic material into nearby water

channels and open spaces.

EFFECTS OF PLASTIC ON OUR ENVIRONMENT

• Littering of the landfills and other open spaces with plastic garbage becomes unhygienic and ugly.•Plastic waste is finding its way into the rivers, oceans and seas of the world due to which the rich marine life is facing serious health hazards

A FEW THINGS THAT CAN BE DONE TO LIMIT THE HARMFUL EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH PLASTICS ARE

AS FOLLWS:

3 R’SThe Three R’sReuse: Try not to buy a new product. Try and use the one you already have.

Reduce: Only take the amount you will use. Try to use stuff so you have trash to get rid of later.

Recycle:Use products that can be reused. Place recyclable in the recycling bin.

WAYS TO PREVENT PLASTIC POLLUTION

• Bring your own reusable grocery bags with you when you go to the store.

• Say no to single serving packaging, buy in bulk and share with friends instead.

• Avoid plastics that are not readily recyclable.• Use a reusable container instead of sandwich bags.

ADVANTAGES OF REUSE AND RECYCLE OF PLASTICS

• It has been observed, to reduce bad effects of waste plastics, it is better to recycle and re-utilize waste plastics in environment-friendly manners. In addition to reducing the amount of plastics waste requiring disposal, recycling and reuse of plastic can have several other advantages, such as:

• A) Reduced consumption of energy.• B)Reduced amounts of solid waste going to landfill.

ConclusionLots of innovations in recycling of waste plastics have been

introduced in many countries. We have to see, we should not pollute environment while going for recycling and use of

recycled products.

DONE BY:-POOJA JAYAPRASAD

PRERNA CHANDIRAMANIRIDDHI UMESH

RINU JOHNRIVA JANE D’SOUZA

SAKSHI VEJANI