The problem of plastic pollution is growing exponentially every year, as we are producing more than 300 million tons of plastic, half of this is designed for single-use plastics like bags, spoons, cups, bottles, straws, etc... and each year around 8 million tons of it ends up in our seas and oceans. We can solve this problem and we can do it by educating and engaging everyone in a conversation to RETHINK PLASTIC. 

Plastic is a substance that cannot be recycled or burnt as it releases harmful smoke (Carbon dioxide). So, we are left with no other choice except dumping them at the landfills or in the oceans. They are made up of non-biodegradable material which cannot be broken down into simpler substances in the environment and can stay there for more than a thousand years, thus contaminating soil and water bodies. These plastics also enter our food chain when we intake the marine species, as they are eating plastics thrown and polluted by us.

Plastic is not just harmful for animals; it is also thought to be carcinogenic (cancer causing agent) for the human beings. Along with that, inks and colors used on some bags contain lead, a toxic chemical.

Scientists in Britain and the US have engineered a plastic-eating enzyme that could in future help in the fight against plastic pollution. They say the enzyme, is able to "eat" polyethylene terephthalate, PET, which was patented as a plastic in the 1940s and is used in millions of tons of plastic bottles. This could result in a recycling solution for millions of tons of plastic bottles made of PET, which currently persists for hundreds of years in the environment. The enzyme can also degrade polyethylene.

Although, scientists have discovered this enzyme, we need to think whether is this going to be a boon or a curse to us. Since the consumption of plastics and wastes are growing every minute, will this enzyme be able to destroy all of them. It is much better to avoid them rather than think of an alternative solution.

Another alternative would be to use technology to change our existing practices into green and sustainable solutions.