Plastic Production

By: Jared Green, journalist for dirt.asla.org

(http://dirt.asla.org/2010/04/06/six-ways-that-human-activity-ischanging-the-planet/)

Technological development has led to the invention of new materials, such as

plastics, that were previously unknown to the planet. Many of these new
materials are made up of chemical compounds that can remain active in the
environment for thousands of years and have lasting impacts on the delicate
regulatory cycles and ecosystems. Today, the world produces approximately 300
million tons of plastics each year. About 20-40 percent of that ends up in
landfills, and another 10-20 million tons makes it way to the oceans, disrupting
sea life. According to the World Watch Institute, a recent study conservatively
estimated that 5.25 trillion plastic particles weighing a total of 268,940 tons are
currently floating in the worlds oceans.

At high concentrations, these chemicals can disrupt animal endocrine systems,

alter reproduction patterns, and cause cancer. Organic pollutants and plasticderived endocrine disruptors have been discovered in low concentrations all over
the world, even in areas where theyve never been used, such as Antarctica and
at the bottom of the oceans. While the effects of low doses of these chemicals are
less understood, they are widespread stresses that ultimately change
ecosystems. The damage to marine ecosystems is estimated to be around $13
billion a year.

Summary:
Within the last forty years or so, recent developments in new materials have
been created, plastic included. Plastic, being artificially made or not come by
naturally, decompose very slowly thus remaining in environments for extremely
long periods of time. Approximately 300,000 million tons of plastic are
produced each year and about 30 percent on average reaches landfill sights.
Another 15 million tons find their way into Earths oceans and marine
ecosystems. When these chemicals in the plastics concentrate at high levels,
they become toxic to marine-life. The effects include damaged endocrine
systems, cancerous mutations and altering of reproductive cycles. Though in
most of areas of the oceans, the chemical levels are low, the overall trauma
damages ecosystems bit by bit.
What can be done?
With this devastating problem looking mankind in the eye, there has to be a
solution. The truth is, with the continuous production of plastics around the
globe, there is no actual solution. Recycling of plastics can actually only go so
far; when a milk carton for example is recycled, it is recycle into a lower grade
of plastic. When the plastic grade reaches a certain level, it can no longer be
broken down and used for other plastics. However we can reduce the use of
plastic, thus reducing harm to our environment. Re-using glass containers is a
good start to reduction because with this reduction, it then stops the
production of plastic containers which are generally used once. The recent use
of tetra pack containers has also improved the reduction of plastic use. Buying
fresh foods, that have not been frozen and packaged also helps reducing the
excess plastic thrown into landfills; especially if you buy them in re-usable
bags. Lastly, the plastic that really does add up, that no one actually thought
would is gum. Giving up the intake of gum, reduces plastic production a lot

more then what you chew in your mouth. While it is possible to recycle gum, it
may be best to skip it and its packaging altogether.