The Dangers of Plastic
Plastic brings more inconveniences and even harm to life in general than it does convenience. Its effects on biodiversity are dire, polluting the land and oceans and even affecting our health. We must stop plastic’s chokehold on life before it is too late.
139 million
metric tons of single-use plastic waste were generated worldwide in 2021
Source: Minderoo Foundation
Only 9%
of all plastic ever produced globally has been recycled; the rest ends up in landfills or the ocean
Source: OECD
About 99%
of single-use plastic products are made from fossil fuels, which significantly contributes to climate change
Source: CIEL
The problem with plastic
From tingi packaging to furniture, take-out containers, grocery bags, and more, it’s almost impossible to go through your day without using or seeing something plastic, especially single-use plastic (SUPs). With how much we use it, it’s no wonder we also produce so much waste of it, leading to it polluting almost every corner of our planet. It’s piling up in our landfills, floating in our oceans and settling on ocean floors, and even being found in our bloodstreams as microplastics! Hence, it’s not a stretch to say that plastic is a danger to life and biodiversity.
With over 99% of plastic made from fossil fuels, the production of plastic in itself is a threat, fueling the ongoing climate crisis. The constant churn of goods by companies in order to drive profit is accelerating the problem, with greenhouse gas emissions being a byproduct of their production and life cycle. Add to that the fact that it takes centuries for them to completely disintegrate, which is why they are the top source of pollution in the environment, endangering marine life and disrupting the delicate balance in multiple ecosystems.
Not to mention how the plastic crisis worsens social injustice, impacting the marginalized sector disproportionally by disrupting the livelihood of fisherfolk, endangering communities near waterways due to plastic-related flooding, and putting those living near plastic waste disposals at constant health risk. The health hazards that come with plastic production and waste incineration include respiratory diseases and poisoning from toxic chemicals leaching into food and water sources.
All these reasons compound the danger that plastic poses and only add to the mounting need to put a stop to the plastic crisis today.
Solutions for a Plastic-Free Future
At Greenpeace, we work tirelessly alongside our supporters and partner communities to not only halt the growing dangers of plastic pollution but also to reduce or eliminate reliance on single-use plastics.
The three main pillars to achieving these goals are:
· Plastic Reduction – Corporations are the main culprits when it comes to producing plastic waste. We call on them to drastically reduce their plastic production and usage, particularly of SUPs, which they use primarily for packaging, and set concrete reduction targets that they must stick to. By breaking free from their reliance on plastic and making the transition to plastic-free alternatives, we hope to eliminate the need for SUPs once and for all.
· Reuse Revolution – Only around 9% of plastics produced are actually recycled. This staggering figure must be reduced through the implementation of reuse systems, which can cut plastic pollution by up to 30% by 2040, and advocating for a circular economy, which promotes a more sustainable model for production and consumption overall.
· Global Plastics Treaty – Finally, we call for a strong commitment to prioritizing sustainable practices, fighting climate change, and protecting biodiversity on a global scale with the goal of a just transition to a low-carbon, zero-waste, and reuse-based economy.
In the Philippines, our eco warriors are putting these into action through spearheading and collaborating with local communities and other NGOs in various projects such as Kuha sa Tingi, a project that introduces small-portion refill systems for everyday commodities at affordable prices in sari-sari stores to help mitigate sachet and single-use plastic pollution, and Break Free From Plastic’s 2022 Brand Audit Report, which calls out the worst plastic polluters in the country.
Through these efforts and with your help, we can help make a plastic-free future possible sooner rather than later.
How you can help
You can be part of the solution. Simple actions like reducing your plastic use, shifting to reuse and refill systems, advocating for strong policies, and signing petitions for change can make a big difference.
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