The growing amount of waste produced in our planet has a huge impact on the environment. Many of the materials disposed of in the general waste bin can last in the environment anywhere from hundreds to thousands of years. The existence of this waste in the natural environment can cause significant impacts on plants, animals, the ecosystem and global warming. That’s why we need waste management and recycling in order to prevent the horrific damage it brings to our environment.    

One major factor affecting the environment and human health is plastic waste. Plastic can cause litter and pollution in the environment.

almost all products contain plastic, meaning that plastic isn't just used in packaging as most people think. Unfortunately, half of these plastic products are for single-use, thus creating a harmful amount of plastic pollution. 

Plastic pollution can alter habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems’ ability to adapt to climate change, and directly affecting millions of people’s livelihoods, food production capabilities, and social well-being. Plastic is a highly used material, recycling and reusing it reduces our need to create new plastics, thus it causes less plastic pollution. Plastic recycling is the method of gathering waste plastic and reconverting them to new and useful plastic products.  

Ways to reuse and recycle plastic

PED 

PET is one of the most used plastic packaging materials in the world. PET is a clear, strong, and lightweight plastic that is widely used for packaging foods and beverages, especially convenience-sized soft drinks, juices and water.

PET is fully recyclable. PET is recycled by washing, re-melting, or by chemically breaking it down to its component materials, making new PET bottles, jars and other products. 

Recycling at home

·      Save jars and use them to store snacks like cheese crackers and containers

·      Cut off the bottom of two-liter bottles and use them as small planters.

·      Wash and reuse plastic soda bottles as pretty water containers for refilling water glasses.

·      Avoid using plastic bags

·      Make piggy banks out of bottles 

·      Replace items such as straws, cups, and bags with reusable options.

image sourse: the statesman

references:

          https://www.repetco.com/how-is-pet-recycled/ 

          https://scienceexchange.caltech.edu/topics/sustainability/plastic-waste-pollution