Plastic pollution refers to the pollution that has resulted from the random use and haphazard disposal of plastic products. Plastic; that we use for everything and which pollutes our environment, is perhaps the most harmful of trash because it does not readily break down in nature. Plastic pollution is the modern day’s biggest environmental issues that have caused insignificant effects on environment. Plastic products have gained a lot of popularity amongst consumers and retailers from its high demand and supply in the market. Also plastic are functional, durable, readily available, light weight, strong, cheap, water proof and relatively more hygienic way of packing goods and foods. Howsoever, despite all its usefulness; the properties of plastic make its disposal problematic. As a result, land, water and as a whole environment gets polluted from its use.

Plastic Pollution is affecting the whole earth, including mankind, wildlife, and aquatic life. It is spreading like a disease which has no cure. Every year, tonnes and tonnes of plastics are dumped on land and in ocean. As they are non-degradable in nature, they remain persistent for thousands of years and harms land and aquatic animals. Plastic contributes to the greenhouse gases emissions and temperature rise. Plastic, on the other hand, triggers a slew of environmental issues. Plastic pollution has several negative effects on our climate, but the three most important are ocean pollution, land pollution, and food pollution. Plastic pollution is wreaking havoc on the oceans, and it's getting worse every year. Approximately 13,000-15,000 pieces of plastic are dumped into the ocean every day worldwide, causing the ocean and marine life to suffer on a daily basis; we need to change this statistic by limiting the use of plastic in our everyday lives (“Plastic Statistics”, 2015). It goes right with Colin Beavan’s novel “No Impact Man’ which takes a deep look into how people have destroyed the ocean and marine life from all the pollution that we put into the ocean. We throw out so much plastic on a daily basis without thinking about what effect it might have on our planet and on us. It is time that we are aware that our constant plastic use has a negative effect on marine life, and it is time that we change our bad plastic habit.

Plastic pollution has so many negative effects. Different components of the environment are affected and this causes loss of biodiversity. The planet is much better when it’s clean and pollution is kept at a minimum or completely eradicated.  In short, we see how plastic pollution is ruining everyone’s life on earth. We must take major steps to prevent it. We must use alternatives like cloth bags and paper bags instead of plastic bags. If we are purchasing plastic, we must reuse it. We must avoid drinking bottled water which contributes largely to plastic pollution. The government must put a plastic ban on the use of plastic. All this can prevent plastic pollution to a large extent. Lastly, we must follow 4R to prevent plastic pollution and bring its effects to a minimum i.e. Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. When we all do what is necessary, we reduce plastic pollution and conserve the environment. It’s obvious that nearly all of the causes of pollution are as a result of human actions. Changing our ways of life would help reduce it. Thus, this way we contribute to a greener and safer environment.

Reference: Plastic Pollution: Meaning, Causes, Effects, and Solutions essay - ncert-solution.in, Causes And Effects Of Plastic Pollution - 1199 Words | Bartleby, Causes, Effects and Incredible Solutions to Plastic Pollution You'll Wish You'd Known - Conserve Energy Future (conserve-energy-future.com)