The Ugly Truth About Plastic: It’s Not Just Trash

Hi guys, so a quick question, have you ever wondered what happens to that plastic bottle container you throw away every time, ever wondered where it ends up, the dangers of it? Well, today we will be talking about “The Ugly truth about plastic”

Let’s be real, Plastic is everywhere, right? From the pure water sachet in your hand to the mountains of rubbish you see by the roadside. We’re drowning in it, and it’s not just bad, it’s straight-up dangerous and we can see that in our country NIGERIA.
Remember that time the street flooded after heavy rain? All those plastic bottles clogging the gutters, that’s not a coincidence, it’s a problem, and I took a picture to back that up.

See, plastic was supposed to make life easier. And it did, well for a while. But now? It’s like that friend who overstays their welcome and starts messing with your house, Our house, the Earth, and its crazy ngl, now I get to walk around and see kids playing with on flooded streets due to this, and I wonder.

To help us get a better understanding of what we are going to be talking about, let’s by knowing what this is, what is plastic? And How it is made?

What is plastic?
Plastic is a material comprising a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic compounds that are malleable and can be molded into solid objects of various shapes and sizes.

How is it made?
They are typically made from natural materials like cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil through a process called polymerization or polycondensation.

Plastic pollution

Plastic pollution is a serious global problem due to its slow degradation, accumulation in the environment, and negative impacts on wildlife, ecosystems, and human health, Because we use so many synthetic plastic products that don’t break down easily and often end up as trash in nature, they build up in the environment. This buildup of plastic creates problems for wild animals and their habitats as well as for human populations. In 1907 the invention of Bakelite brought about a revolution in materials by introducing truly synthetic plastic resins into world commerce. By the end of the 20th century, plastics had been found to be persistent polluters of many environmental niches, from Mountain tops to the bottom of the sea. Whether being mistaken for food by animals, flooding low-lying areas by clogging drainage systems, or simply being insignificant plastics have attracted increasing attention as a large-scale pollutant.

They are improperly disposed of at or near the location where they end their usefulness to the consumer. Dropped on the ground, thrown out of a carwindow, heaped onto an already full trash bin, or inadvertently carried off by a gust of wind, they immediately begin to pollute the environment. Indeed, landscapes littered by plastic packaging have become common in many parts of the world. (Illegal dumping of plastic and overflowing of containment structures also play a role.) Studies from around the world have not shown any particular country to be most responsible, though heavily populated centres generate the most trash. The causes and effects of plastic pollution are felt worldwide.

Now you see for most people, organizations and even the Government, when faced with issues like this, they tend to go for the easier solution, BURNING, but does that really make it better? Hell no, that’s more dangerous in my opinion, and study has proven that, Burning plastic kills us slowly. That black smoke you see from the dumpsite? That’s poison.
It’s going into our lungs, causing all sorts of health problems. We can not solve one problem by creating another.

People don’t understand how dangerous this is, especially the health problems caused by plastic.

let me educate you guys on few health issues caused by Plastic.

• Cancer:
Some of the chemicals that leak out of plastic, especially when it’s heated, have been linked to a higher chance of getting certain cancers.

• Baby-Making (Reproduction):
Plastic has chemicals that can throw our hormones out of whack. This can make it harder for people to have babies, and cause other reproductive issues.

• Kids’ Development at Risk:
If pregnant women or young kids are exposed to these plastic chemicals, it can cause problems with how their bodies and brains develop.

• Trouble Breathing:
Burning plastic creates nasty smoke that goes straight into our lungs. And even the tiny plastic bits (microplastics) we breathe in can cause breathing problems.

• Overall Poisoning:
Plastic chemicals can get into our water and food, and that can lead to many health problems over time.
Think of it like this: plastic isn’t just trash; it’s a source of hidden poisons that can really hurt us.

So now we know the real problem, what do we do? How do we avoid the this, what solutions do we have available? Is it even possible? Can it be done?

The answer is Yes.

We can make an impact and create a lasting difference, by taking practical steps both as individuals and a community together, to tackle the plastic problem, especially here in Nigeria, and places like port harcourt, where it is a daily reality.

What WE Can Do: Small Steps, Big Impact

• Say NO to Single-Use:
That pure water sachet? That takeaway container? That tiny plastic bag? Try to avoid them. Carry a reusable water bottle, bring your own food containers, and use cloth bags for shopping.
Here in Port Harcourt, where “takeaway” is a way of life, this is a big one. Let’s make reusable containers the norm

• Recycle right:

If you have to use plastic, recycle it properly. Find out where your local recycling centers are (if they exist) and make use of them.
Even if formal recycling is limited, find informal recyclers, they are often on the street collecting plastics.

• Clean Up Your Space:
  Join or organize community cleanups. Even picking up a few pieces of plastic each day makes a difference. Let’s keep our streets, gutters, and beaches clean.
  Especially after heavy rains, when plastics get washed everywhere, we need to come together and clean up our neighborhoods.
• Spread the Word:
  Talk to your family, friends, and neighbors about the dangers of plastic. Educate them on how to reduce their plastic footprint.
  Use social media to spread awareness. Share information and encourage others to take action.
• Support Local Businesses Doing Good:
  Choose businesses that are using sustainable packaging or offering alternatives to plastic.
  Encourage local businesses to switch to more sustainable packaging.

What the GOVERNMENT Needs to Do: Big Changes, Big Results

• Strong Laws and Enforcement:
Ban or restrict single-use plastics. Enforce existing environmental laws.
Fine companies that pollute.

• Invest in Waste Management:
  Build proper waste collection and recycling infrastructure. This is crucial. We need working systems.
  Create more recycling centers.
  Improve drainage systems, so that plastics do not easily block them and cause flooding.
• Promote Alternatives:
  Provide incentives for businesses to use biodegradable or reusable alternatives.
  Support research and development of sustainable packaging. Educate the Public:
  Launch public awareness campaigns to educate people about the dangers of plastic and the importance of recycling.
  Integrate environmental education into school curriculums.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR):
  Make companies responsible for the plastic they produce. They should be involved in its collection and recycling.
• Support Local Initiatives:
  Work with local organizations and communities that are already working on waste management solutions.
  Provide funding and resources for community cleanup efforts.
• Consistent enforcement:
  Laws are useless without enforcement. The government needs to hold people and companies accountable for their waste.

The Key to Success is by working together.

This isn’t just a government problem or an individual problem. It’s our problem, and we need to work together to solve it. Let’s hold our leaders accountable and take responsibility for our own actions. By combining individual responsibility with strong government action, we can make a real difference, and that’s what pure solution is all about, creating difference and making a positive lasting impact, our communities our environment, our nation and the world at large, needs to work together and make this possible.

Thank you, for making it to the end, I’m positive, you will make a good impact to the community, till next time ❤️