Research+Product+2

Matt Fields 1/5/2011  Senior Sem. Title  With every good comes the bad, and plastic is no exception. Over the years plastic has become increasingly popular. Plastics are convenient, cheap, durable, and used all around the world from the United State to China. This is an industry that has prospered and will continue to prosper in the future, unless environmentalists have their ways in significantly reducing the plastics in the world. A task most near impossible. Plastic is something that all industries want to make their products. This plastic will eventually make its way out into the environment where it will cause problem; a problem rather difficult to stop because of the peoples desires for these good. Society’s high demand for plastic material is causing great harm to the environment through pollution and destruction of ecosystems.  The destruction from plastic starts at the creation. Plastic contains many chemicals in which are released during production. “ The essential components present in nearly all types of plastic, though, are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine and sulfur” ( American Chemistry Council ). During the production these chemicals are mixed together with “natural resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas are often synthesized for their carbon content” ( American Chemistry Council ). When the two meet, the chemicals and natural resources, pollution occurs. Left over chemicals are released into the air, and the natural resources are burned which release CO2. When entered into the atmosphere, the CO2 breaks down through the exposure to UV rays from the sun, becoming what is known as CFC’s, short for chlorofluorocarbons. “When [CFCs break down], the CFC molecule releases atomic chlorine. One chlorine atom can destroy over 100,000 ozone molecules. The net effect is to destroy ozone faster than it is naturally created” (EPA). The more and more the ozone depletes, the warmer and warmer the world gets, because the ozone blocks the magnitude of the sun’s rays that shines down on Earth. The “ effects [of global warming] are giving rise to a frighteningly new global phenomenon: the man-made natural disaster” (Obama). This reeks havoc on every in of the world. Sea levels rise as they get warmer, which produces more powerful storm that will reach further inland than ever before. As for inhabitants who are far enough inland to not be affected by these tropical storms, they will have to face problems such as drought and fires. No one will be safe from these disasters if global warming continues to rise.  After production the plastic reaches the hands of the consumer. Consumers use the plastic the way the industry intended it to be used. Where the users go wrong is in the disposal. The plastic should be recycled, in order to help the environment. Millions of people do not recycle the plastic for several reasons. One reason is that there is no recycling bin nearby; another is that there is no point, and thirdly people simply might not know what can be recycled and what cannot. When finished with the plastic, it travels either to a land fill out through the land, both of which pose a threat to the environment. At the landfill, plastics produce a deadly chemical, methane gas. “Landfills are the second-largest human-related source of methane in the U.S., accounting for 23 percent of all methane emissions” (EPA). Methane is created because the plastic degrades without oxygen to cling to, leaving just the methane. The methane helps to contribute the climate increase of global warming. The other effect of plastic degrading in the soil, whether it is in a landfill or not, is that the plastic takes away the nutrients in the soil. “Results are presented as potential losses of soil and nutrients from farm fields and the potential for soil quality degradation” (NNLSC). When the soil looses the supply of nutrients, the plants do not get the proper nutrition, living shorted lives. Contamination can be devastating on a large scale when it comes to the agricultural business. The pollutant can seep into the ground water, which can travel further, harming more people and crops. The pollutants “has contaminated groundwater in several major fruit production regions” (soilzone.com). Ground water contamination is dangerous because the water is not only used for watering crops, but for drinking water as well. The ground water contamination creates many problems for the vegetation. If the ladder is taken and the trash does not make it to the landfill, the plastic floats freely throughout the word. Opposite of affecting the agriculture, this affects the animals in the environment. Animals often ingest the plastic “because many seabirds preferentially select plastic of specific colors and shapes, it is believed that plastic is often mistaken for prey” (Kathryn Pierce). The small bits of plastic become a hazard because the plastic sits in the animal’s stomach since it does not degrade. When ingested the animal feels full and does not eat, leading to malnutrition for the animal. “Plastics often contain toxic softeners, colorants, and antioxidants that may be assimilated form ingested plastic” (Pierce). The toxins take place of nutrients that the animal needs in order to survive. This ultimately kills the animal leaving thousands dead. When the animal dies, it decomposes but the plastic does not, which sits there until the next animal picks it up.  The plastic that floats freely in the world will eventually wind up in the ocean. A larger percentage of the trash that ends in the ocean travels along with the current, leading it to the middle of the Pacific Ocean where it is collected in what is known as the Pacific Garbage Patch. The plastic in the ocean has an equal effect as it does on the land. Sea animals eat the plastic in the same way as the birds or other land animals do, which end up in their digestive tracks. What differs is how the plastic chemically affects the environment. The plastic breaks down into its original form, oil. When the oil “breaks down, the tiny polystyrene components [in oil] start to sink, because they’re heavier than water” (National Geographic). The oil leaves devastating effects on the marine life. The coating of oil covers the plant life that exists, killing it off. The coral reef of California is a strong example of what happens to life around an oil spill. In this situation “pollutants increase[d] the level of nitrogen around coral reefs, causing an overgrowth of algae, which smothers reefs by cutting off their sunlight” (Coral Reef Alliance). The plants in the ocean depend on the sun just as much as the plants found above the water. The plants need the sun to photosynthesize and make energy. If the plant is under water then they will die. The reefs beauty gets destroyed because the oil leaves a layer of soot on the plants and rocks. “Reports show that over 80% of the corals surveyed that year experienced bleaching, and 40% of them died” (A Green Living). In all of these cases, the reef looks like no life existed before. Black dust sits on the rocks, making once so lively and colorful place so dark and barren. It is hard to believe plastic is a large part in destroying something once so beautiful.  Plastic waste is destroying our environment. No question it is convenient and a great product, but what can be questioned is if the positive of the bag outweigh the negatives. The answer is no they do not. Plastic causes problems on so many levels. In order to fix this problem everyone need to become more conscious of what they do. Her in Springfield Township there are designated recycling bin, at every house. Bins are there for the residents to use and to encourage them to recycle. Consumers need to read labels and try to buy eco-friendly items. Before throwing out the plastic, think about what can be recycled before they just throw it out. If walking and trash is on the ground, pick it up and take it home with them, potentially saving the life of a bird or two. When more aware of this situation, and doing one small part per person, the world could become a much cleaner, safer and more beautiful place to live.