The plastic industry is estimated at $986.63B according to thebusinessresearchcompany.com in 2021.
An industry which started in the early 1900’s, took off in the mid 70’s, has since, been robust and ever- evolving. It serves millions of homes but at the same time has done so much damage to human lives and the world’s eco-system. Natural rubber, which is obtained from latex, a milky liquid, found in a rubber tree is processed into all the different plastic products that we continuously patronize for ease of one time use and our immediate convenience.
Research has highlighted this liquid rubber, processed into plastics, only naturally decomposes after 4 centuries, that’s 400 years! Sadly, a huge chunk 0f the estimated 381 million tons of plastic wastes disposed every year, ends up in the ocean. The impact of plastic wastes on unsuspecting humans and ocean life is beyond estimations. This is a massive problem for our earth and for humankind.
It is now estimated that in excess of 269,000 metric tons of macro and micro plastic wastes are found in the oceans, filling the lungs and bellies of fishes, turtles, destroying the eco-system of our oceans and rivers and eventually, making their way into our kitchens.
According to an article published on condorferries.co.uk, more than a million seabirds and other marine animals die from plastic pollution yearly. Research done by nationalgeographic.org, one of the world’s leading wildlife organizations, suggests that, over 91% of the world’s plastic wastes are not recycled. Plastic waste management is now of critical importance in our world.
Hormone-related cancers, infertility and neurodevelopment disorders like ADHD and autism are just a few of adverse health-related impact associated with plastic waste pollution as per research conducted by plastichealthcoalition.org.
Urgently manufacturing industries, department stores, restaurants, and humans everywhere, we all need to seek alternatives to single use plastics. We can all reduce and eliminate our use of plastic bags etc., support government and private investment in establishing more recycling plants, participate in beach cleaning events and most importantly cut down on products containing microbeads.
Walmart Canada recently made the change from plastic bags which removed 680 million plastic bags annually from use. With every initiate we can together save our earth from destruction, improve the quality of human life, and leave behind a better world for the generations to come.