The Impact of Plastic Pollution

If plastic is likened to an ocean, then this year most parts of the world have been submerged in water and may have turned into the city of Atlantis which Plato often mentions in his fictional works. The underwater city of Atlantis is just a fairy tale. However, the reality is that the earth is increasingly covered with plastic waste, at the same time turning the ocean into a garbage dump.

It can be said that all the time, there will be video excerpts or short stories showing the misery of marine life around the world after having to fight to put aside all the garbage dumps for survival. Imagine your home is littered with rubbish coming from nowhere and answer honestly, are you able to survive when one by one family members die as a result of this pollution when you have no power to change the situation for the better.

Children collect plastic bottles from the Buriganga river in Dhaka
Source: Getty Images

Statistics by Our World in Data (OWD) in 2010 state that global plastic production reached 270 million tonnes (in 2010), while the waste of this material is five million higher which is 275 million tonnes. Scary? OWD also records most of this plastic waste created by coastal residents especially those within 50 kilometers of the sea. In 2010, the waste disposal area in the area reached 9.5 million tonnes.

According to the OWD, eight million tonnes (equivalent to three percent of global plastic waste) will flow into the sea through various channels, including those dumped in rivers by irresponsible individuals and 10,000 to 100,000 tonnes of garbage left floating on the sea surface.

A study by the University of Plymouth also found that this plastic waste threatens at least 700 species of marine life and when half of the animals are threatened with extinction, humans who should be much more civilized also take part in killing the precious creature. Some experts estimate at least 100 million marine mammals are killed each year as a result of plastic pollution, including those who think the waste is food. Congratulations, indirectly we have registered as contributors to the extinction of all these animals.

How much plastic enters the world’s oceans?
Source: One World Ocean

Statistics by country saw China contribute to a large percentage of poorly managed plastic waste which was 28 percent, followed by Indonesia, 10 percent. The Philippines and Vietnam share the same percentage of six per cent, followed by Thailand (3.2 per cent), Egypt (three per cent), Nigeria (2.7 per cent) and South Africa (two per cent).

This scenario, however, is vastly different in high-income countries including most of the European bloc countries, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea which have efficient waste management systems and facilities. This means that all plastic waste that is not recycled or disposed of will be stored in a covered and safe area to ensure that it does not turn into garbage and eventually pollute the environment.

Not only concentrated in the sea, this plastic waste also dominates several rivers, especially in China which has the three most polluted rivers in the top five. The Yangtze River, Xi River and Hwangpu River are ranked first, third and fourth respectively with a total of 333,000, 79,900 and 40,800 tonnes of plastic waste respectively.

 

Plastic Pollution Infographic
Source: One World Ocean

Impact to humans & marine life

The effects of plastic pollution are worse directly on marine wildlife. Thousands of seagulls, turtles, seals and other marine mammals die every year as a result of being swallowed by plastic or trapped inside. Plastic pollution not only threatens marine animals, but human life. Plastic waste floating in the sea absorbs harmful pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlorinated pesticides (DDT) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH).

These chemical contaminants are highly toxic and can have chronic effects on human health, including endocrine disorders and cancer-causing mutations. The use of plastic, especially disposable plastic is still rampant in our country. Pollution not only threatens marine life and ecosystems, but has a negative impact on humans. The cost of rehabilitation is also large, so the community needs to be immediately aware to take proactive measures to ensure that the cause of this pollution problem is controlled and supervised.

Cases in Malaysia

More than 80 percent of rivers in major cities in the country can be considered 'dead' rivers due to pollution especially industrial waste which is growing every year.

Lecturer at the School of Social Studies, Environment and Development, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Ekhwan Toriman revealed that due to the rapid development, most rivers in the city have lost ecosystem capacity to supply clean water, process sewage and maintain productivity.

He said, in fact, some rivers are at a dangerous level filled with rubbish, especially plastic, bottles, used tires, and even form a small island causing black river water and emitting a foul odor. Examples of several rivers categorized as polluted in Malaysia include Sungai Juru in Penang, Sungai Segget in Johor and Sungai Klang in Selangor.

References

Astroawani.com. 2020. 80 Peratus Sungai Di Bandar Mati Akibat Pencemaran | Astro Awani. [online] Available at: <http://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/80-peratus-sungai-di-bandar-mati-akibat-pencemaran-218233> [Accessed 25 July 2020].

CHEN, G., 2020. Ensuring Accountability In 20Sen Plastic Bag Charge. [online] The Star Online. Available at: <https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2019/11/01/ensuring-accountability-in-20sen-plastic-bag-charge> [Accessed 30 July 2020].

Ritchie, H. and Roser, M., 2020. Plastic Pollution. [online] Our World in Data. Available at: <https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution> [Accessed 25 July 2020].

TAALUR RAMSEY, B., 2020. 15 Ways To Reduce Your Plastic Consumption | Eat This Not That. [online] Eat This Not That. Available at: <https://www.eatthis.com/ways-to-reduce-plastic/> [Accessed 30 July 2020].

University of Plymouth. 2020. Plastic Pollution And The Planet. [online] Available at: <https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/pr-opinion/plastic-pollution-and-the-planet> [Accessed 25 July 2020].