what are the environmental effects of plastic?
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Plastic pollution causes harm to humans, animals and plants through toxic pollutants. It can take hundreds or even thousands of years for plastic to break down so the environmental damage is long-lasting. It affects all organisms in the food chain from tiny species like plankton through to whales.
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Burning of plastics and garbage can damage the ozone layer thus causing global warming. Global Warming contributes to damage on our natural resources especially in fishery.
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The Positive Impact of Plastics Lightweight plastics packaging saves fuel and decreases emissions during transportation. Plastic water supply systems and plastic storage tanks provide clean water free of heavy metals. Plastic products for medical applications contribute to improved health and wellness.
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Even though most plastic bottles can be recycled, many of them end up in landfills or incinerators since people don't recycle them. Many plastic bottles also become litter, clogging our oceans and severely damaging marine life. Bottles with recycling codes #1 and #2 can and should be recycled.
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In our oceans, which provide the largest natural carbon sink for greenhouse gases, plastic leaves a deadly legacy. ... As our climate changes, the planet gets hotter, the plastic breaks down into more methane and ethylene, increasing the rate of climate change, and so perpetuating the cycle.
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Plastic kills fish, birds, marine mammals and sea turtles, destroys habitats and even affects animals' mating rituals, which can have devastating consequences and can wipe out entire species. Learn more about ocean pollution and how it affects marine life and humanity with the infographic below.
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Non-biodegradable substances affect the environment in the following ways: → They contaminate soil and water resources as they cannot be decomposed by micro-organisms. → These substances, when accidentally eaten by stray animals, can harm them and can even cause their death.
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Plastics that are currently marketed as “biodegradable” will themselves contribute to plastic pollution if they are lost or littered. They do not break down as quickly and completely in the environment as the term might imply and can thus harm wildlife and ecosystems.
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Litter adversely affects the environment. Littering along the road, on the streets or by the litter bins, toxic materials or chemicals in litter can be blown or washed into rivers, forests, lakes and oceans, and, eventually can pollute waterways, soil or aquatic environments.
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In the ocean, plastic debris injures and kills fish, seabirds and marine mammals. ... Because persistent organic pollutants in the marine environment attach to the surface of plastic debris, floating plastics in the oceans have been found to accumulate pollutants and transport them through ocean currents.
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Plastic was thought to be a boon but it turned out to be a curse. Plastic can be very harmful as it produces harmful gases when it is burned. As it is non bio degradable, it is harmful to the soil and takes hundreds of years to degrade or decompose. ... Many plastics poison the environment when degrading.
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Swimming pool chemicals, such as chlorine, have a negative impact on the environment. The evaporated pool chemicals contribute to the production of greenhouse gases. Also, the draining and discharging of chemically treated water can cause problems to waterways if not done correctly.
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['habitat destruction (degradation, fragmentation)', ' pollution.', 'climate change.', 'invasive species.', 'overharvesting.']
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['They Take a Very, Very, Very Long Time to Decompose. If you asked anybody: “Why are plastics bad for the environment? ... ', "They're So Cheap. ... ", "They're Hard to Replace. ... ", "They're Impossible to Destroy. ... ", "They're Ugly. ... ", "They're Made From Unsustainable Products. ... ", "They're Invisible. ... ", 'They Kill Animals.']
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Plastic bags: pollute our land and water. Because they are so lightweight, plastic bags can travel long distances by wind and water. They litter our landscapes, get caught in fences and trees, float around in waterways, and can eventually make their way into the world's oceans.
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Presently, over 267 species worldwide are being affected by plastic pollution and 700 species are at risk of becoming extinct. The study found that water birds and marine animals were particularly at risk, with 28 incidents involving seals hurt by plastic litter in 2018, compared with five in 2015.
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Give any two ways in which non-biodegradable substances would effect the environment. Answer: (i) They cause air, water and soil pollution. (ii) They may cause bio-magnification in the food chain and end up in humans.