Problem Encountered with Plastics/Polymers Ends Up In The Ocean. - Since so much more is plastic, and not organic, it is directly affecting marine life in the ocean including fish, a popular main source of food for humans. ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS - many chemical additives that give plastic products desirable performance properties also have negative environmental and human health effects. Harm to Wildlife - Millions of animals are killed by plastics every year, from birds to fish to other marine organisms. Nearly 700 species, including endangered ones, are known to have been affected by plastics. Nearly every species of seabird eats plastics. LANDFILL ACCUMULATION - Even beyond their persistence in oceans and water pollution from their production, synthetic polymers are a significant challenge on land because they are often disposed of in landfills where they will remain for centuries into the future slowly leaking toxins into soil as time passes. Plastic Problem in Construction- Construction is the second largest producer of single use plastics in the UK, beaten only by the packaging industry. Every day, on construction sites all over the world, plastic waste is generated from a huge number of activities and far too little of it is recycled. Ends Up In The Ocean Since so much more is plastic, and not organic, it is directly affecting marine life in the ocean including fish, a popular main source of food for humans. Regularly, our society is so fixated on making our lives more convenient in the short term, however, in the long run, our own health and the health of marine life are at the expense of these conveniences. It should be noted that 8 MILLION METRIC TONS of plastic winds up in our oceans each year. That’s enough to cover every foot of coastline around the world with five full trash bags of plastic, and compounded each year. ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS Many chemical additives that give plastic products desirable performance properties also have negative environmental and human health effects. People are exposed to these chemicals not only during manufacturing, but also by using plastic packages, because some chemicals migrate from the plastic packaging to the foods they contain. These effects include: Direct toxicity, as in the cases of lead, cadmium, and mercury Carcinogens, as in the case of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) Endocrine disruption, which can lead to cancers, birth defects, immune system suppression and developmental problems in children. Harm to wildlife Millions of animals are killed by plastics every year, from birds to fish to other marine organisms. Nearly 700 species, including endangered ones, are known to have been affected by plastics. Nearly every species of seabird eats plastics. Most of the deaths to animals are caused by entanglement or starvation. Seals, whales, turtles, and other animals are strangled by abandoned fishing gear or discarded six-pack rings. Micro plastics have been found in more than 100 aquatic species, including fish, shrimp, and mussels destined for our dinner plates. In many cases, these tiny bits pass through the digestive system and are expelled without consequence. But plastics have also been found to have blocked digestive tracts or pierced organs, causing death. Stomachs so packed with plastics reduce the urge to eat, causing starvation. Landfill Accumulation Even beyond their persistence in oceans and water pollution from their production, synthetic polymers are a significant challenge on land because they are often disposed of in landfills where they will remain for centuries into the future slowly leaking toxins into soil as time passes. According to the Clean Air Council organization, Americans alone use an estimated 102.1 billion plastic bags -- a synthetic polymer -- each year, and less than 1 percent of these bags are recycled. Not only do these synthetic polymers slowly leach harmful chemicals in the soil, their longevity and non-biodegradability means new landfills will be a constant need as synthetic polymer use continues and grows. Plastics have been consumed by land-based animals, including elephants, hyenas, zebras, tigers, camels, cattle, and other large mammals, in some cases causing death. Tests have also confirmed liver and cell damage and disruptions to reproductive systems, prompting some species, such as oysters, to produce fewer eggs. New research shows that larval fish are eating nanofibers in the first days of life, raising new questions about the effects of plastics on fish populations. Plastic Problem in Construction Construction is the second largest producer of single use plastics in the UK, beaten only by the packaging industry. Every day, on construction sites all over the world, plastic waste is generated from a huge number of activities and far too little of it is recycled. That waste builds up in waste transfer sites or gets shipped overseas, and then plastic wrapping – originally used to ship cladding from Hamburg to London – ultimately can end up floating in the oceans and threatening marine life. That’s not to say all plastics are bad. In fact, as concerns about plastic waste become more mainstream, we need to be careful with our messaging; particularly across the long tail of our supply chain. Plastic itself isn’t bad – we need it! The use of plastic has helped revolutionize modern medicine and food hygiene. The construction sector also benefits hugely from use of durable plastic products such as insulation, flooring, and of course mastic. We rely on plastic packaging materials to keep our supplies protected and dry during transport and storage. That isn’t likely to change in the short term. What needs to develop is a new mind-set across our workforces, proactive and empowered to identify unsustainable uses of plastics; or opportunities to significantly reduce waste. Modular and offsite construction, for example, offer a huge opportunity to change the way we use materials and reduce the waste we generate. Even smaller objects, like drinking water cups, can have a huge cumulative impact and so offer a way to leverage genuine impact by making small changes. On our construction sites alone we use tens of millions of plastic water and coffee cups a year. If we can change employee behavior here – by careful interventions and providing alternative options – we can show people the power they have to make other positive changes. The last two years have seen a huge shift in public opinion, and that means that plastic reduction represents a fantastic opportunity to leverage for the wider sustainability agenda.
