“Plastic are high molecular weight organic polymers which can be moulded into desired shapes by the
application of heat and pressure”.
INTRODUCTION :-The word plastic is derived from the greek (plastikos) meaning capable of being
shaped or molded. Plastic that are made up of polymers having only aliphatic (linear) C atoms in their
backbone chains. e.g.: poly propylene. Plastics are widely used in making electrical instruments,
telephones, panelling for walls,instrument boards, automoblile parts, instruments, household
appliances, etc. Plastic materials dumped into the earth prevent the production of nutrients in the soil.
Because of this, the fertility of the soil is reduced and affects the agriculture sector. When its persistence
in the environment can do great harm. It causes immune and enzyme disorders, hormonal disruption
leading to endocrinal disorders and even infertility and is also considered as carcinogenic (cancer). Not
only human health, it dangerously effects other animal life and alters the environment (air,water and
soil) sustainability causing hazardous pollution.
Disposal of Plastic When plastics are used, recycled, or disposed of, or left in the environment as litter,
they break down and release harmful chemicals. These pollutants include heavy metals such as
cadmium and lead, and chemicals such as benzene, dioxins, and other pollutants, which all release
harmful toxins into our air, water, and bodies. Right now, most plastic is being wasted sent to landfills
or, more likely, incinerators. Burning plastic in incinerators releases toxic heavy metals and chemicals.
Direct Environmental Impacts a. Ingestion: Seabirds, sea turtles, fish, and marine mammals often ingest
marine debris that they mistake for food. Ingesting marine debris can seriously harm marine life. For
example, whales and sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for squid, and birds often mistake plastic
pellets for fish eggs. Ecosystem Alteration: Efforts to remove marine debris can harm ecosystems.
Mechanical beach raking uses a tractor or other mechanical device to remove marine debris from
beaches and marine shorelines and can adversely impact shoreline habitats. This removal technique can
be harmful to aquatic vegetation, nesting birds, sea turtles, and other types of aquatic life.
THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF THE USE OF DISPOSABLE PLASTICS :-The durable, lightweight and easy to
go of the non-biodegradable plastic bags and water bottles are becoming unavoidable to use in many
day-to-day activities of the societies of developing countries like Ethiopia, and of which is often reused
many times and discarded causing problems for human, animal and the environments where it
deposited. Some of the major sources of environmental problems like Ethiopia include sewage and run-
off related plastics, materials from recreational/social gathering users, and materials disposed of at open
landfills from each household activity. Plastic materials originating from each source is either
transported by wind, flood and human drains toward water bodies, or is mixed with the farm
(agricultural) lands.
TOXICITY IMPACT OF PLASTIC BAGS AND WATER BOTTLES Accumulation of plastic bag wastes causes
environmental pollution that can be manifested in number of ways such as deterioration of the natural
beauty of an environment death and entanglement of marine animals, blockage of sewerage systems of
cities and towns in developing countries which in turn creates foul smells and favourable habitats for
mosquitoes and other vectors that could spread various diseases like mosquitoes reduce percolation of
water and proper aeration of agricultural soils which in turn results in a reduction of productivities of
such fields.
Bioplastic: it’s a type of biodegradable plastic derived from biological substances rather than petroleum.
bioplastics are not derived from petroleum products. However, that does not imply that bioplastics can
naturally decompose like biodegradable plastics. The prime benefit is that it gives some respite to our
depleting petroleum reserves. However, that's not completely true, because the manufacturing process
requires energy which often comes from fossil fuel. Hence, further research should focus on developing
bioplastics that are both biodegradable and also energy efficient to produce.
ALTERNATIVES TO CURB THE WIDE USE OF PLASTIC
• Use paper or cloth bags instead of plastic bags.
• Reuse plastic bags for many times to reduce consumption, and hence curbing the production of
them.
• Use glass containers such as Pyrex.
• Use of plastic bags can be reduced through codification by imposing heavy taxes or fees on the
production of them.
• Compliance with proper criteria and standards on the production of plastic bags makes the bags
thicker, more durable and biodegradable.
• Reduce the use of plastic-wrapped products.
• Mothers should be cautious not to use plastic bottles for feeding their babies.
• Do not buy or use plastic cups, plates or spoons, especially the disposable single-use ones.
• If you select between different plastic products, choose the product that can be reused or
recycled. 11. Do not take more plastic bags than you need when shopping.
To raise public awareness, the regional and national different levels of educational curriculums must
include the waste management systems from the grass-roots as information resources. In addition to
creating public awareness on the importance of a healthy environment, mechanisms of controlling the
generation of wastes at the source, alternative disposal ways, establishing additional drop-off areas
(landfills) and incineration mechanisms, plastic recycling facilities are also recommended. Helping
communities to reduce their exposures to health toxicants will increase the likelihood for a healthy
society and clean environment for the coming generations.
