Say No To Plastic

Plastics have been around for almost a century. Initially, they were viewed as a versatile and long-lasting alternative to many other natural goods. It was also less expensive to produce than other materials. However, the negative consequences were not noticed until it was too late. The fact that plastics take such a long time to disintegrate is one of the primary reasons why they are so disliked. A cotton shirt, for example, will take 1 to 5 months to degrade in the soil. A cigarette may last anywhere from 1 to 12 years, whereas a tin can last up to 50 years. A plastic bottle might take anywhere from 70 to 450 years to decompose. A plastic bag might take anywhere from 500 to 1000 years to decompose. Consider that nearly a billion tonnes of plastic have been thrown away to date. Much of this stuff will last for hundreds, if not millions, of years.

Plastics are available in a variety of forms and sizes. Microplastics are formed from most plastics that have been in the environment for a long period. The majority of these microplastics are the size of a grain of sand. As a consequence, microscopic creatures may begin to eat them, allowing them to join the food chain. When larger creatures devour smaller organisms, microplastics migrate up the food chain. These particles will eventually reach us and will infiltrate our bodies. This can cause a wide range of human diseases. Furthermore, carcinogenicity has been found for these microplastics, which implies they enhance the risk of cancer. As a result, we must limit our use of plastic and take steps to eliminate it from our environment.

By: Samaira Sachdeva
Delhi Public School, Gautam Buddh Nagar