Munukutla 1
Bhargav Munukutla
5/14/12
Period 4-5
TPOL Paper
Plastic is something that everyone uses in their daily lives. We use plastic containers,
plastic bags, our cars are made out of plastic, and a lot of stuff is made out of plastic. I too use
plastic in my life every day. I use plastic bags and plastic bottles the most. Whenever I go
shopping, I almost always get my items in plastic bags. I will admit that I usually just throw them
away instead of recycling them or reusing them. A lot of people don’t recycle plastic and the
plastic either ends up in a landfill or sometimes in the ocean. I use anywhere from 20 to 50 bags
a month and only a handful actually are recycled or reused. Everyone can do their part to help to
help stop plastic pollution as well as air pollution; people just need to make that first step.
I have started my first step by trying to recycle plastics. The main type of plastic I
consume is plastic bags. I have started to reuse them for different things like lunch bags and trash
bags. I’ve also started recycling plastic bags on my own and whenever I see them on the ground
or that sort of thing. I feel like the only way I can make an impact is recycling myself and
encouraging other people to follow my lead. This method doesn’t cost any money. You could
buy recycled bags and reuse them instead of throwing them out. This is another possible solution
to the plastic problem. This is a simple and realistic plan to start recycling. The only way to
completely stop plastic pollution is to stop using plastic but that it seems unrealistic. The idea of
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giving up plastic seems unrealistic because of how easy it is to make, the effectiveness, and the
long history of it has been used.
Plastic sandwich bags were first introduced in 1957 (PackagingKnowledge). It wouldn’t
be until 1966 where plastic bags would be introduced into grocery stores
(PackagingKnowledge). Ever since that release date, 4 out of 5 bags in grocery stores are plastic
(PackagingKnowledge). The bags were cheap, they were light, and they were effective. What
was the problem? The problem is that there wasn’t any place to recycle the plastic bags and it
takes a ridiculous amount of fossil fuels to create them. Approximately 17,200,000,000 to
21,500,000,000 gallons of oil are used every year to create plastic bags ALONE (Earth911).
Imagine how much oil is used for gasoline, electricity, and energy in general. Not only does
plastic consume a lot of natural resources, the recycling effort is pitiful. According to Earth911,
as of 2006, only 2% of all plastic bags in the US are being recycled. Only 2% of 21.5 billion
bags are being recycled in the US alone. Plastic may have been a great competitor to paper bags,
but something needs to change and fast. The amount of petroleum, or oil, used in creating plastic
is outrageous.
The U.S mainly imports petroleum from the Middle East because the U.S consumes
about 7.6 billion gallons of oil a year (CIA). The U.S has increased imports from 10% in 1970 to
about 65% in 2004 (CIA). The US uses a shocking amount of oil. We might not see it every day
but all this drilling and burning takes a toll on the Earth, or Mother Nature. Mother Nature has to
suffer because we are polluting so much and our effort to help isn’t enough. The US consumes so
many resources to fuel its energy. “Oil, coal and natural gas account for more than 85% of the
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energy consumed in the United States... (Quote Oil)” We consume more than we need to, and
don’t think enough about giving back to the environment. The US and Canada, with 5.2% of the
world’s population, are responsible for 31.5% of consumption. South Asia, with 22.4% of the
population, is responsible for 2% of consumption (Global Consumption). We live on a planet
with finite resources, and at our rate of consumption and pollution we’re producing, our planet
may not survive .The effects of pollution on the environment are sickening.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a patch of garbage and plastic in the Pacific Ocean.
“Some environmentalists say there is 3.5 million tons of waste swirling in the Pacific vortex
(Science Ray).” It is estimated that 90% of all of this waste is plastic, which is not biodegradable.
When the plastic enters the ocean, the waves and sun will break down the plastic into fingernail
sized pieces or smaller and these pieces will be ingested by marine life such as jellyfish and
small fish. “Thousands of birds and sea-life creatures are dying from eating plastic particles in
this huge debris field, because they cannot digest the plastic and it dehydrates them or stops their
digestive system from functioning (Science Ray).” The fish that ingest the plastic may end up on
your plate which could possibly lead to different plastics such as Polyvinyl chloride which “can
cause cancer, birth defects, genetic changes, chronic bronchitis, ulcers, skin diseases, deafness,
vision failure, indigestion, and liver dysfunction (Ecology Center).” This is only one type of
plastic that can have these effects. Polycarbonate, or plastic bottles with Bisphenol A, can cause
“cancers, impaired immune function, early onset of puberty, obesity, diabetes, and hyperactivity
(Ecology Center).” These different plastics don’t have to be ingested to cause these affects.
Polyurethane Foam, which can be found in cushions, mattresses, and pillows, can
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possibly cause “bronchitis, coughing, and skin and eye problems. It can release toluene
diisocyanate which can produce severe lung problems (Ecology Center).” I haven’t even gotten
to pollution caused by burning fossil fuels. When you burn fossil fuels like coal, fine particles are
released. These particles can enter deep into the lungs and possibly the bloodstream. It can
“causes premature death in people with heart and lung disease, increases hospital admissions,
emergency room visits and clinic visits for respiratory diseases and cardiovascular diseases, and
is associated with the development of chronic respiratory disease in children. (CACEF)” Air
pollution can also be caused by cars and the industry. The product of burning fuel can be various
gases such as”...sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds (eHow).” These
gases interact with the environment and the result can lead to smog, acid rain, and soot. All of
these products can have effects on the human body as well as some plant life. We can’t possibly
keep this going for another 20+ years; the effects could be detrimental to society.
To recap, we all need to do something to help out. This problem isn’t going away; it’s
only getting worse as time goes on. We need to save our planet before it’s too late. I’m not
asking you to completely stop using fossil fuels, or plastic bottles, or whatever it might be.
Starting off small is the answer. Use less plastics bags, or recycle plastic bottles if you see them
lying around. Try to cut down on things that you don’t need (overconsumption), or only buy
necessities. These things will have an impact on the environment. Encourage your family and
friends to take your lead and do their part in protecting the environment.
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“Ocean Pollution: Plastic Makes Up More Of The Ocean Than We Initially Thought” by
Huffington Post. Written by Susanne Rust on 4-30-12
I think that this article gives a good idea of the impact humans’ have had on the planet. Giora
Proskurowski, a researcher, discovered how much plastic is really in the ocean. Scientists have
usually just looked at the surface to find a measurement of how much plastic is really in the
Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Giora took different samples anywhere from 10 feet to 100 feet. He
discovered that plastic stretched from the top to the bottom, all throughout those 100 feet. This
also gives us an idea of how big our cleanup is going to be if we want to try and get rid of all the
plastic in the ocean. Capt. Charles Moore is also a researcher and he says that the plastic has
many negative effects such as providing a place to build a reef. Different corals, fish, crabs, and
other sea life are using the plastic as a home. This blocks sunlight from entering the lower areas
of the ocean. In addition, all the plastic has certain chemicals that have negative effects on the
sea life. These fish ingest this plastic and other animals ingest the fish and so on.
“Keeping the Sea Safe from Plastic” by Bloomberg. Written by Caroline Winter on 1-5-12
This article provides a possible solution to plastic being non-biodegradable. A company called
Metabolix has created a certain plastic that is biodegradable. The trick? The plastic is made out
of bacteria. When the plastic is thrown away, bacteria recognize the material as food and
consume it. It has been shown to be completely gone within 5 weeks, while other plastics don’t
even lose 20% in 26 weeks. This future technology is already being implemented by companies
such as Papermate and Cortec. This plastic also has a few other perks such as its melting point is
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300 degrees F. The only problem, is that the plastic is sold anywhere from $2.25 - $2.75 while
petroleum based plastic sells for around 60 cents. Companies won’t buy this plastic because it
costs so much more than regular plastic. Metabolix has put its foot in the door to biodegradable
plastic and they are in the process of making the plastic cheaper.
“7 Hidden Causes of Cancer” by The Nation. Written by Rilwan Salami on 5-12-12
Although this article may seem unrelated to plastic but the effects of plastic could possibly lead
to cancer. I have explained before that Bisphenol A (BPA), which can be found in plastic bottles,
is a man-made chemical that can be found in anything from credit cards to baby bottles. The
article states that “Exposure to BPA is thought to increase the risk for breast cancer.” The article
also says that if BPA containing plastics are heated up, they could possibly release the chemical.
The chemical is more likely to be released if heated. Dr. Devra Davis, a professor, says that
plastics stamped with the number 7, 3, and 6 should be avoided because they contain BPA or
chemicals similar to BPA. Avoid heating up any type of plastic; glass is the best way to go.
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Work Cited
"Adverse Health Effects of Plastics." . Ecology Center, n.d. Web. 13 May 2012.
<http://www.ecologycenter.org/factsheets/plastichealtheffects.html>.
Carey, John. "Getting to the Bottom of Plastic Bottle Risks." . Bloomberg Businessweek, 25 11 2009.
Web. 13 May 2012.
< http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_49/b4158052774264.htm>.
CIA, . "The World Factbook." . CIA, 13 05 2012. Web. 13 May 2012.
<https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html
"Environmental Impacts of Burning Fossil Fuel." . eHow, n.d. Web. 13 May 2012.
<http://www.ehow.com/list_6023091_environmental-impacts-burning-fossil-fuel.html
"Facts About the Plastic Bag Pandemic." . reuseit.com, 13 05 2012. Web. 13 May 2012.
<http://www.reuseit.com/learn-more/top-facts/plastic-bag-facts>.
Lohan, Tara. "The Great Plastic Bag Plague." . Alternet, 05 09 2012. Web. 13 May 2012.
<http://www.alternet.org/environment/61607/>.
Morris, Tricia. "About Plastic Grocery Bags." . eHow, n.d. Web. 13 May 2012.
<http://www.ehow.com/about_4565070_plastic-grocery-bags.html>.
"Negative health effects from burning coal and other fossil fuels." . Citizens Action Coalition Education
Fund, 25 12 2007. Web. 13 May 2012.
<http://www.cacefindiana.org/node/programs/cieep/global_warming/health>
"Plastic Bags." . PackagingKnowledge, n.d. Web. 13 May 2012.
<http://www.packagingknowledge.com/plastic_bags.asp>.
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"Plastic Shopping Bag." . Wikipedia, 10 05 2012. Web. 13 May 2012.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_shopping_bag>.
Rust, Susanne. "Ocean Pollution: Plastic Makes Up More of the Ocean than we Initially Thought." .
Huffington Post, 30 04 2012. Web. 13 May 2012.
<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/30/ocean-pollution-plastic_n_1465293.html>.
Salami, Rilwan. "7 Hidden Causes of Cancer." . The Nation, 12 05 20012. Web. 13 May 2012.
<http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/health/46233-7-hidden-causes-ofcancer.html>.
"The Creation of Plastic, History of Poly, and Recycling facts." . N.p., 13 04 2010. Web. 13 May 2012.
<http://jeremy-perkins.suite101.com/the-creation-of-plastic-history-of-poly-and-recycling-factsa221443>.
"Why use Cloth Shopping Bags?." . Green Kit, n.d. Web. 13 May 2012.
<http://www.green-kits.com/paperorplastic.html>.
Winter, Caroline. "Keeping the Sea Safe from Plastic." . Bloomberg Businessweek, 05 01 2012. Web. 13
May 2012.
<http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/keeping-the-sea-safe-from-plastic-01052012.html>.