EN
Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution is the process by which plastic products accumulate in the environment, negatively impacting wildlife and human habitats. A large amount of plastic waste ends up in the environment; Research shows that 90% of seabirds have plastic in their bodies.
The average decomposition time of plastic products ranges from 400 to 700 years, the opposite of strength and durability. Chemicals added during the manufacturing process can leach into groundwater, posing serious health risks.
Plastic waste carried by rivers into the oceans or dumped in landfills breaks down into tiny particles that enter the food chains of marine animals. This invisible trash forms a "plastic soup" that floats in oceans for thousands of miles. Combating this problem is difficult because it is global in scope.
In 2017, the beaches of Henderson Island in the Pacific Ocean had the highest density of plastic waste outside of landfills. This is due to the circulation of ocean currents, bringing garbage from different parts of the planet.
Interestingly, 90% of plastic enters the world's oceans through just 10 rivers, highlighting the importance of controlling water pollution.
Plastic pollution can poison animals, which in turn can negatively impact the human food supply. Large marine mammals are suffering from plastic blocking their digestive systems. Research points to the discovery of large amounts of plastic in the stomachs of marine animals such as sea turtles, leading to starvation and eventual death. Many species of animals become entangled in plastic, limiting their movement and causing serious injury and death. Plastic pollution in the oceans kills more than 400,000 marine mammals every year. Plastics contain various chemicals that can enter the human body, causing various problems, including dermatitis.
WHO research shows that microplastics in drinking water do not pose a risk, but more high-quality research is needed to make a more accurate assessment.
In addition to health, plastic pollution also affects the aesthetics of the environment, which can detract from the enjoyment of contact with nature.
A 2017 study published in the journal Science Advances found that by 2015, about 6.3 billion tons of plastic waste was produced, and only 9% of it was recycled.
There are three main ways to process plastic: landfill, incineration, or recycling for later use in manufacturing. Although environmentally friendly wastewater treatment systems exist at landfills and special facilities, they are not always cost-effective.
Incineration of plastic waste has some advantages over landfilling as it requires less space and the energy released during combustion can be used to generate electricity, which can offset some of the cost of recycling.
However, environmentalists are pushing for plastic recycling as a more environmentally friendly and efficient disposal method.
The recycling rate for each type of plastic is different. For example, in the United States, about 8% of all plastic waste was recycled in 2011, amounting to about 2.7 million tons. Some types of plastic, such as PET bottles and cans, have a higher chance of being recycled than others.
https://www.faktyoxla.info/cemiyyet/plastik-istifadesini-niye-azaltmaliyiq-bizi-neler-gozleyir
