Scribd
Upload
47 views8 pages

Impact of Single-Use Plastics on Environment

Single-use plastics are a major source of pollution and waste. Over 8 billion tonnes of plastic have been produced and 91% is not recycled, remaining in landfills or the environment for hundreds of years. Plastic waste, especially plastic wrappings and straws, end up polluting oceans and being ingested by animals. Many countries are taking steps to reduce plastic pollution through bans, charges on plastic bags, and encouraging reusable alternatives. Individual actions like refusing plastic bags, reusing water bottles, and avoiding excess plastic packaging can also help address this global problem.

Uploaded by

carrie929uk
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
47 views8 pages

Impact of Single-Use Plastics on Environment

Single-use plastics are a major source of pollution and waste. Over 8 billion tonnes of plastic have been produced and 91% is not recycled, remaining in landfills or the environment for hundreds of years. Plastic waste, especially plastic wrappings and straws, end up polluting oceans and being ingested by animals. Many countries are taking steps to reduce plastic pollution through bans, charges on plastic bags, and encouraging reusable alternatives. Individual actions like refusing plastic bags, reusing water bottles, and avoiding excess plastic packaging can also help address this global problem.

Uploaded by

carrie929uk
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 8

Single-Use Plastics

Experts say that every piece of plastic ever made still exists!
That’s how long it lasts. In fact, there are over 8.3 billion
tonnes of plastic on Earth and a whopping 91% of it does not
get recycled.

Did You Know…? “Plastic single use straws stock photo image” by
[Chemist 4 U] is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Plastic can take hundreds of years to decompose.

79% of plastic waste can be found in landfill or


scattered as litter.
“Single Use Plastics” by [Bristol Green Party] is

Plastic wrappings (for food and other items) are the licensed under CC BY 2.0

main cause of waste.

8 million tonnes of plastic waste ends up in the ocean


every year.
Why Should We Change?
The effect of single-use plastics is being seen all over the world, from the most
remote parts of the Arctic to tropical beaches.

On Henderson
Microplastics
Small beads ofhave
Island
found
plastic inknown
the
their
South
asway Pacific,
into animal
nurdles arescientists
food
found onhave
found
chains.
beachesplastic
Nearly from
all overevery
theareas
variety
world.suchofasseabird
They Europe, is South
known
are a product America,
of to have
industrial
Russiaplastics
eaten
waste. and Japan.
at some point.

“Male mallard” by [Ian Kirk] is licensed under CC BY 2.0


What’s Being Done?
Many countries are doing great things to lower the use and spread of plastic
pollution. Some of the good work being done includes:

The price of plastic. It is now common for supermarkets to


charge for single-use plastic bags. It’s only 5p but it’s a start!

Banning microbeads. In 2016, the United Kingdom banned microbeads (the


sort you might find in face wash, toothpaste and body scrubs).

The final straw. Many restaurants and supermarkets used to


offer plastic straws but now they use more environmentally
friendly materials like paper or metal.
Everyday Changes
So, how can we help?

Say ‘goodbye’ to bags. Replace plastic bags with those made from recyclable
materials or simply reuse the bags you have. 

Refill and reuse. Using your own drinks bottles is a much more environmentally
friendly alternative to buying plastic bottles.

Shop smart! Many shops now provide shampoos, detergents and other
household items that you can fill your old bottles with.

Scrap the wrap. Use renewable wrapping instead of


plastic wrap or gift paper. You can find many natural
alternatives. Some are even made from beeswax!
Glossary

decompose – The process of an object breaking down naturally over time.

microbeads – Miniscule pieces of plastic used mainly in cosmetics.

microplastics – Tiny fragments of plastic that are smaller than 5mm.

nurdles – Small pellets of plastics used in manufacturing.

recycling – Turning waste into a usable material, item or object.

renewable – Something that can be used over and over again.


Find out more about plastic pollution with the Twinkl Originals eBook ‘A
Place for Plastic’. Click here to download.

You might also like