Environmental Networking Platform for Children and Youth by SAMSUNG E&A
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October free report. Effects of plastic water bottles on the environment |
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by Patience Nansamba | 25-10-2022 15:26
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Plastic bottles contain Bisphenol A, the chemical used to make the plastic hard and clear. BPA is an endocrine disruptor that has been strongly linked to a host of health problems including certain types of cancer. As the plastic slowly breaks down over hundreds of years, toxic chemicals are released which can cause groundwater contamination.
Disposable water bottle waste washes into the ocean and kills 1.1 million marine creatures each year. According to research conducted by the world climate schools Uganda chapter, more than 75% of used plastic bottles end up in landfills, lakes and rivers, which is seriously damaging the environment. Plastic bottles have gradually replaced glass bottles because of their lower cost. Plastic is like cancer for the environment. Plastic don't decompose. Once created it stays on the planet for thousands of years. It blocks the water and nutrients supply to plants, it entangles marine animals and choke them to death and when consumed by any animal it blocks their internals. Each bottle leaks harmful chemicals into our environment along the way as it decomposes. Studies show that the toxins decomposing bottles of water leach into our environment cause a variety of health issues including reproductive problems and cancer. Multiple economic costs could result from plastic pollution. Pollution from plastic packaging itself causes the global economy an annual loss of over $80 billion. As many of the plastics are not recycled, more of them are likely to alternately progress to waste streams. This can have an impact on the economy in many forms such as higher rates of diabetes or hormone related cancers leading to reduced ability to work and lower participation rates in the labour force in Uganda. The population in the world waters especially for Uganda is predominantly plastic. Plastic comprises up to 80% of all marine waste. At a cost of $5 per kilogram, plastic pollution is removed from the water surface. Chlorinated plastic can release harmful chemicals into the surrounding soil which can then seep into underground water and also the ecosystem. However, plastic water bottles have some positive effects on the environment that is; •Many plastics have a long reusable lifespan. •The process of plastic manufacture compare favourably with many others •Plastics are space saving in facilities. •And also it's resistance to chemicals, water and impact. The successes over environmental problems have shown little steps can matter as much as grand gestures. Even if encouraging people to avoid plastic water bottles doesn't directly lower bottle usage, it might raise awareness enough for local legislatures to ban them |
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Former E-gen Ambassador
Patience Nansamba
Previous : October free report. Human imp...
2 Comments
Hello, this is your mentor Minkyung.
Thank you for listing the effects of plastic water bottles on the environment. Although there have been countless discussions on the adverse effects of plastic, there seem to be not as many discussions on how it can be used effectively and wisely. We should keep considering how to use it wisely, not just reduce its usage.
Thank you for your insightful report :)
Posted 31-10-2022 12:17
Hi, Patience Nansamba!
This is your mentor, Yoon.
Thank you for introducing the negative impacts of plastic water bottles. You explained very well on Bisphenol A. Additionally, I like your report as you related the impacts of plastic on the environment with plastic waste in Uganda.
Great job on writing the free report.
I am looking forward to reading your following report!
Posted 27-10-2022 22:02