STUDY OF USE AND ADVERSE EFFECT OF PLASTICS ON THE
ENVIRONMENT
A project work submitted for the partial fulfillment of the requirement for the class XI practical
guidelines in a chemistry
SUBMITTED BY:
Pratik Sharma
Grade: 11 “E”
Roll No: 23
SUBMITTED TO:
Motherland Secondary School
Masbar, Pokhara 7, Gandaki, Nepal
October,2024
RECOMMENDATION LETTER
This is to certify that Mr.Pratik Sharma, a student of class XI of Motherland Secondary School,
has successfully completed the research project on the topic,” STUDY OF USE AND
ADVERSE EFFECT OF PLASTICS ON ENVIRONMENT” under the guidance and direct
supervision of Mr Narayan Poudel. This project is genuine and does not
indulge in plagiarism of any kind. This project work is recommended for the evaluation
procedure.
NARAYAN POUDEL
Name of the subject teacher
Motherland Secondary School
Masbar,Pokhara 7,Gandaki , Nepal
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Being part of the Motherland Secondary School, I got an opportunity to work to my full
potential. Moreover, the practical knowledge provided to me with the theoretical knowledge is
paving the path for my success. Observing every scenario around me in the language of
chemistry has been fascinating to me, and providing me one more opportunity to be involved in
the project work has made me learn from a different genre of learning and has made me learn
and think more critically than before.
So, I would like to express my deep gratitude to Mr. Narayan Baral, Lok Bahadur Gurung, and
Narayan Poudel for providing me with such a golden opportunity to extend my knowledge
beyond the horizon of theoretical knowledge and look from a different perspective.
This project would not have been complete without the support of my family and friends. I
would like to thank my entire family for helping me during the field visit. I am thankful to my
friends for new ideas, strategies, and suggestions. I am thankful to community members for
providing information during my survey. Finally, I would like to thank all the indirect supporters
who helped me complete the project.
Pratik Sharma
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTENTS
o COVER PAGE
o RECOMMENDATION LETTER
o ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
o TABLE OF CONTENTS
o INTRODUCTION
: Background
o PROCESS/METHODOLOGY
o RESULT AND DISCUSSION
o CONCLUSION
o SUGGESTION FOR FUTURE USE
o REFERENCES
INTRODUCTION
Background
Plastics are made of synthetic organic polymers: a network of molecular monomers bound
together to form macromolecules of infinite use in human society which are widely used in
different applications ranging from water bottles, clothing, food packaging, medical supplies,
electronic goods, construction materials, etc. The durability of plastics and their potential for
diverse applications, including the widespread use of disposable items, were anticipated
meanwhile, it caused problems associated with environmental sanitation and balance.
In the last six decades, plastics have become an indispensable and versatile product with a wide
range of properties, chemical compositions, and applications. Day by day people are becoming
more and more dependent on the use of plastics because of the characteristics of plastics such as
inert, durability, flexibility & versatility, and so on.
Although, plastics were initially assumed to be harmless, however, many years of plastic
disposal into the environment have led to diverse associated problems. Environment pollution by
plastic wastes is now recognized widely to be a major environmental burden, especially in the
aquatic environment where there is prolonged biophysical breakdown of plastics, detrimental
negative effects on wildlife, and limited plastics removal options.
FIG: PLASTICS USED IN DAILY LIFE
PROCESS OR METHODOLOGY
To get information regarding this topic, the following sources were used:
1. Primary sources
I used my past experiences. I have participated in sanitation programs in
our society with different youth clubs. I also participated in other
sanitation programs conducted in my previous school. I am also a member
of the environment club at my previous school.
2. Secondary sources
I took references from books, research articles, google, and data.
Processes of preparation for my project include;
1. Topic selection
2. Research
3. Materials collection
4. Listings of problems
5. Finding solutions
6. Drawing conclusions
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
● Categories of plastics
Type 1: Stomach plastics
Stomach plastics are usually used to make disposable water bottles. Apart from this, stomach
plastics are used to make different utensils or containers used for various types of juice, soft
drinks, salad dressing, vegetable oil, mouthwash, cosmetics, etc.
Type 2: High-density polyethylene
Polyethylene is the most used plastic in the world. High-density polyethylene made from
petroleum, a type of heat-resistant plastic is used in making milk containers, detergent bottles,
refrigerators toys, various types of plastic grocery bags, etc.
Type 3: Plastic containers
They are used for fruit juice, cooking oil, etc. Polyvinyl Chloride is a type of heat-resistant
polymer. Depending on non-plasticization, type 3 plastic is flexible and unobtrusive. Normally,
the phthalates are used to make PVC flexible, which is harmful to the human body. It contains
many toxic substances.
Type 4: Low-density polyethylene
It is heat resistance polymer made up 4 plastic petroleum, which can be both transparent and
opaque. Low-density polyethylene is flexible and rigid used for the packaging of frozen foods
and the preparation of juices and milk cartoons.
Type 5: Polypropylene
Polypropylene is a type of plastic polymer, usually strong and semi-transparent. They are
stronger and heavier than polyethylene. It is used for packaging yogurt, medicine, beverages,
ketchup, etc.
Type 5: Polystyrene
It is one type of petroleum-based plastic. ’Benzene’ is used in the preparation of polystyrene. It is
widely used in making, packaging materials, and insulating.
● Adverse Effects of Plastics in Living Organisms
The distribution of plastic waste is associated with human populations. The increase in human
population has led to increased demands for plastics and plastics products. Indiscriminate
disposal of wastes from plastics and plastics products has led to environmental pollution which is
evident in several ways including environmental natural beauty deterioration, entanglement and
death of aquatic organisms, and sewage system blockage in towns and cities especially in
developing countries, resulting in creating a conducive environment for breeding mosquitoes and
other disease-causing vectors and production of foul smells, reduction in water percolation and
normal agricultural soils aeration thus causing reduced productivity in such lands. Food supplies
for human consumption can be adversely affected if animals are poisoned by toxic constituents
from waste plastics and plastic products. Indeed, reports of threats to the survival of large marine
mammals have been documented due to large amounts of plastic waste entering the world's
oceans.
Animals are exposed to plastic waste primarily through ingestion and entanglement; however,
ingestion is more frequent than entanglement. Most animals in the oceans mistaking plastic
wastes dumped in the ocean for food, thereby ingesting them. Furthermore, entanglement in
plastic products like nets can cause harm, damage, and even death in marine animals. Reports
have shown that more than 260 different species of vertebrate and invertebrate animals ingest
plastics or are entangled by plastic or plastic products with more than 400,000 deaths of marine
mammals. Marine pollution by plastic waste majorly affects sea turtles and other species whose
main food is jellyfish. A similar situation is common in sea birds which can confuse
microplastics for cuttlefish or with fishes, which can mistake plastic waste for their natural prey.
Ingestion of plastic wastes is capable of causing obstruction and physical damage to a bird’s
digestive system, reducing the digestive ability of the system and leading to starvation,
malnutrition, and eventually, death.
Many birds, turtles, fishes, seals, and other marine animals have died by drowning or suffocation
as a result of entanglement in plastic debris. Entanglement has been observed to cause health
risks in an estimated 243 species of marine life, often ending in fatalities. Animals' entanglement
by plastic debris also contributes to death from predators, as the animals are unable to untangle
themselves and escape. Coral reefs have been damaged by dragging nets and other plastic
products along sea beds. Oftentimes, discarded fishing nets also called “ghost nets” trap marine
animals, leading to starvation and death.
It is generally believed that plastic polymers are lethargic and of little concern to public health,
however, different types of additives and the residual monomers possibly retained from these
polymers are responsible for the suspected health risks. Most of the additives present in plastics
are potential carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. Ingestion, skin contact, and inhalation are the
main routes of exposure of humans to these additives. Dermatitis has been reported from skin
contact with some of the additives present in plastics. Microplastics are major contaminants that
can bioaccumulate in the food chain after ingestion by a wide range of freshwater and marine life
leading to a public health risk. Human consumption of animals exposed to microplastics and
plastic additives can be detrimental. Biomonitoring studies on human issues have shown that
plastic constituents persist in the human population through the measurement of environmental
contaminants.
FIG: EFFECTS OF PLASTICS IN LIVING ORGANISMS
● ROLES OF PLASTIC IN ENVIRONMENT POLLUTION
❖ Land pollution:
Land pollution from plastics occurs when plastic waste is improperly disposed of,
accumulating in the environment. Such plastics are non-biodegradable, they persist for
hundreds of years, contaminating soil and disrupting ecosystems. Over time, large plastic
items break down into microplastics which further pollute the soil and can harm wildlife that
mistake them for food. Additionally, chemicals from plastics can leach into the ground,
affecting plant growth and potentially entering the food chain, posing risks to human health.
❖ Water pollution
Water pollution from plastics happens when plastic waste enters rivers, lakes, and oceans,
harming aquatic ecosystems. Plastics, especially single-use items like bottles and bags, can
take centuries to degrade, leading to long-term contamination. Marine animals often ingest
plastics plastics or become entangled in them, which can be fatal. Additionally, as plastics
break down, they form microplastics, which are difficult to remove and can accumulate in the
bodies of fish and other organisms, eventually entering the human food chain and posing
health risks.
❖ Air pollution
Air pollution from plastics occurs when plastic waste is a burden, releasing
toxic chemicals and pollutants, such as dioxins, furans, and carbon monoxide
into the atmosphere. These harmful substances can cause respiratory problems,
contribute to climate change, and degrade air quality. Additionally, the
production of plastics involves the release of greenhouse gases and volatile
organic compounds, further contributing to air pollution and environmental
harm.
FINDINGS
● Solutions to the problems
The following are probable solutions found after the research
1. Basic sustainable solution
⮚ Use of 3’s (Reuse, Recycle, Reduce)
R: Reduce- The best way to manage waste is to not produce it. This can be done by shopping
carefully and being aware of a few guidelines:
o Avoid over-packed goods, especially those packed with plastics.
o Use cloth instead of plastic and support plastic bans.
o Purchase second-hand items, especially plastic items.
o Reduce the use of microplastics.
R: Reuse- It makes economic and environmental sense to reuse products. Sometimes it takes
creativity:
o Save plastic bags and repair broken plastic appliances, furniture, and toys.
o Reduce products in different ways. Use plastic microwave dinner trays as picnic
dishes.
o Use re-sealable containers rather than plastic wraps.
o Use a ceramic ceramic coffee mug instead of plastic cups.
R: Recycle- Recycling is a series of steps that takes the use of used materials and processes,
remanufactures, and sells it as a new product. Begin recycling at home and work:
o Check collection centers and curbside pickup services to see what they accept and
give them plastics to recycle after they begin collecting them.
o Consider purchasing recycled materials when purchasing materials for supply.
o Buy products made from material that is collected for recycling in your community.
o Speak to store managers and ask for products and packaging that help cut down on
more use of plastics.
● Moreover, recovery and redesign can be implemented too, i.e. 5R’S
● Other probable solutions
⮚ The Ocean Clean-up: The ocean clean-up is an excellent example of collective action.
Inspired by a technology designed to effectively collect plastic from the Great Pacific
Garbage Patch using what is called the system 001, which consists of a 600m-long floating
structure intended to contain marine debris and designed to collect microplastics, one of the
problematic forms of plastic and can be dangerous to both marine animals and humans if
ingested, the systems rely on wind and ocean currents to collect the plastic. Upon collection,
the plastic waste is transported by a vessel back to land, to be then recycled.
⮚ Plastic-eating Mushroom: A darkly pigmented species of fungus, known as Aspergillus
tubingensis, has been found to contain agents that can degrade polyurethane (PU). Samantha
Jenkins, lead biotech engineer for biomanufacturing firm Biohm was studying different types
of fungus and found the fungus had eaten its way through the plastic sponge that was used to
seal it. Jenkins is in the process of testing the fungus on PET and PU plastic and discovered
the fungus to populate as it consumes more plastic, potentially creating a new source of
biomaterial “for food, or feedstocks for animals, or antibiotics”.
⮚ Social plastic policies: A social enterprise known as Plastic Bank is paying above-market
rates for plastic waste. They act as convenience stores for the world’s poor communities and
accept plastic waste as a form of currency. Their recycling ecosystem is sustained through the
sale and use of what they call “Social Plastic”. This encourages people to collect
ocean-bound plastic before it enters the waterways and it can be traded for social benefits,
including money, food, and other services. Plastic Bank aims to make plastic too valuable to
throw away. Upon collection, plastic waste will then be sold as too valuable to throw away.
Upon collection, plastic waste will then be sold to corporations, who will pay around three
times more than what plastics normally cost.
CONCLUSIONS
After the study and research, it has been clear about the ongoing massive production of plastics
and the adverse effects of the use of plastics that result in the imbalance of the whole ecosystem.
The composition of several toxins in the manufacturing of plastics, their unscientific uses and
management, and random disposal are found to be major obstacles.
The use of plastics has caused various problems; it has now become a huge danger to our health.
Safety and environmental balance. Even though plastics are very useful in everyday life, the
toxic chemicals used in their production need to be thoroughly monitored to ensure
environmental and health safety. Reducing the community's exposure to toxicants from plastic
waste will increase the chances of having a clean environment and a healthy society. There is an
urgent need for government agencies and health authorities to enact and enforce environmental
laws that will monitor the production, usage, and disposal of plastics. In addition, some harmful
chemical constituents used in the production of plastics (e.g. phthalates, BPA, etc.) should be
banned in consumer goods and in plastic products that are in direct contact with food, beverages,
and children.
SUGGESTION FOR FUTURE USE
Bioplastic is a plastic produced from cellulose that is made of wood pulp by a British chemist in
the 1850s. Now, bioplastics can be produced from different biodegradable and
non-biodegradable materials including weeds, hemp, plant oil, potato starch, cellulose, corn
starch, etc. Sugar-based bioplastics can biodegrade under normal conditions for composting.
Bioplastics are environmentally friendly since they require less fossil fuel during production in
comparison to other types of plastic.
Although bioplastics have been used commercially in just a few applications, they are widely
used in consumer goods for items that are disposable like cutlery, bowls, pots, crockery, straws,
and packaging. In principle, bioplastics can replace petroleum-derived plastics in many
applications; however, the problem lies with the cost and performance of bioplastics. If there are
no specific regulations globally to limit the use of conventional plastics, there may be no
favorable usage of bioplastics. For example, Italy has since 2011 enacted a law that made it
compulsory for biodegradable plastic bags to be used for shopping. In the production of
bioplastics, substitutes for fossil fuel resources like wood, cellulose, sugar, and starch are used.
This has made bioplastic production more sustainable and environmentally friendly in
comparison to conventional plastic production The production of bioplastics decreases
consumption of non-renewable energy and reduces the emission of greenhouse gases.
The problem of plastic waste generation and the accompanied environmental and public health
effects can be handled if globally, manufacturers can embrace the use of bioplastics. The
biodegradability with little or no toxic products left behind will go a long way to protect our
natural environment from the menace of conventional plastic wastes, protect our world's
organisms, and make the world safer for humans.
REFERENCE
❖ Chemistry book
❖ Google
❖ Chat GPT
❖ https://www.clinmedjournals.org
❖ https://kids frontiersin.org
❖ https://www.nrdc.org
❖ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
❖ https://earth.org
❖ https://www.sustainable sanantonio.com
