The Devastating Impact of Plastic Pollution on Animals

The growing rate of plastic production raises problems in many areas of our society. This shocking amount of plastic is contributing to waste and pollution issues, it’s impacting our health, and it’s threatening our oceans and wildlife. Plastic affects all life, from microscopic animals right up the food chain to large predators and even humans. The impact of Plastic Pollution on Animals is multifold. Plastic also contributes to global warming. Almost all plastics are made from chemicals that come from the production of planet-warming fuels (gas, oil, and even coal).

Impact of Plastic Pollution on Animals

As a consequence of plastic waste and other human-induced factors, hundreds of marine animal species stand to go extinct over the next few decades. Sea turtles mistakenly eat plastic bags that they confuse with jellyfish. Sea birds, whales, dolphins, and other marine animals often turn up dead with stomachs full of plastic or get caught in abandoned plastic fishing nets. Like marine creatures, wildlife may eat pieces of plastic instead of food. It’s often difficult for them to determine what’s edible and what’s not. Even land animals are now forced to live in plastic pollution.

Very little of the plastic we discard every day is recycled or incinerated in waste-to-energy facilities. Much of it ends up in landfills, where it may take up to 1,000 years to degrade, leaching potentially toxic substances into the soil and water. Very little of the plastic we discard every day is recycled or incinerated in waste-to-energy facilities. Much of it ends up in landfills, where it may take up to 1,000 years to degrade, leaching potentially toxic substances into the soil and water.

Tackling plastic waste

Tackling plastic waste and saving land and marine creatures is an essential goal to protect the environment and ensure the well-being of our planet’s ecosystems. The impact of Plastic Pollution on Animals is devastating and we need to timely reduce and improve the negative impacts. Here are some ways to Tackle plastic waste and save the land and marine creatures –

1. Reduce Single-Use Plastics: Encourage the use of reusable products and promote alternatives to single-use plastics, such as reusable bags, bottles, and containers. This can significantly decrease the amount of plastic waste generated. Skip the plastic utensils at your favorite lunch spot. Instead, opt for a set of reusable forks, spoons, and knives that you can use every day of the week.
2. Recycling and Waste Management: Improve waste management systems, increase recycling infrastructure, and educate the public on proper recycling practices. This helps to keep plastics out of landfills and waterways.
3. Give up products using microbeads: Tiny plastic particles are known as microbeads. This kind of plastic is used in face scrubs, toothpaste, and body washes. These microbeads enter our sewage system and pollute the water table. Such water is also consumed by stray animals leading to diseases among them.
4. Plastic Bans and Regulations: Implement regulations and policies to restrict the production and use of certain single-use plastics, like plastic bags, straws, and Styrofoam containers. Several countries and cities have already adopted such measures. Another way to tackle the problem of plastic waste is to support the ban on single-use plastic. If there is already a law in this regard, inform authorities about the illegal use of such plastic to help strengthen the regulation.
5. Innovative Packaging Solutions: Encourage businesses to adopt eco-friendly packaging options or invest in research and development of biodegradable and compostable plastics.
6. Community Clean-Up Initiatives: Organize community clean-up events to remove plastic waste from beaches, parks, and other natural areas. This not only helps the environment but also raises awareness about the issue.
7. Educational Campaigns: Educate the public, schools, and businesses about the harmful effects of plastic waste on the environment and wildlife. Promote responsible consumption and disposal practices.
8. Support Sustainable Brands: Choose products from companies that prioritize eco-friendly practices, sustainable packaging, and waste reduction.
9. Promote Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Encourage companies to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products, including recycling and proper disposal.
10. Support NGOs and Environmental Organizations: Support and participate in the efforts of organizations that work towards cleaning up oceans and protecting marine life.
11. Research and Innovation: Invest in research and innovation to find new ways of tackling plastic pollution, such as developing advanced recycling technologies or materials that are less harmful to the environment.
12. International Cooperation: Plastic pollution is a global issue, and international collaboration is crucial. Encourage governments and organizations to work together to set global standards and address plastic waste at its source.

Remember, individual actions can have a collective impact. By adopting sustainable practices and raising awareness about plastic pollution, we can all contribute to safeguarding our land and marine creatures and reduce the Impact of Plastic Pollution on Animals.

August is the month when many dates are dedicated to animals. So let’s pledge to save our amazing wildlife, beautiful marine creatures, lovely birds, and all living categories of animals. Let me share with you different dates associated with animals so you can also celebrate their days and help save our living creatures.

August

• 10 August – World Lion Day
• 12 August – World Elephant Day
• 13 August – International Wolf Day
• 19 August – World Orangutan Day
• 19 August – International Homeless Animals Day
• 26 August – World African Wild Dog Day
• 30 August – International Whale Shark Day
• Third Saturday in August – Honey Bee Day

From My Green Bag

To sum up, This is my conscious lifestyle post to spread more awareness about sustainable living and eco-friendly choices. Join me for more such ways and tips and become part of my Conscious and sustainable living journey. Keep visiting my blog to make yourself eco-friendly, aware of conscious and sustainable choices and be more concerned for our environment, and alter your lifestyle.

To add on, read and join Sustainability with Prachi series and listen to interviews with Eco-conscious people who are trying their bit towards conscious and sustainable living practices only on Green Tatwa Talks. There is so much to learn and explore from all of them I had interacted with, do listen and drop in your views in the comments. Check here to know more about all the Eco-Friendly dates.