Extensive use of synthetic polymers has led to certain environmental hazards, making with a matter of global concern, plastic proved to be a magical material for the world because of its properties, but it has a negative side also.
They are:
- Plastic cause health hazards and are very harmful to the environment, as they are non-biodegradable and cannot be decomposed by micro-organisms.
- Hence they prevent rain water from seeping into the earth and affect plant growth.
- Plastics lying on roadsides and floating in lakes and streams provide shelter for germs and animals causing diseases.
- Toxic to aquatic life when placed in water.
- Produce toxic gases when burnt, hence causing air pollution.
- Take several years to decompose.
To avoid these problems we should prevent-
- By recycling which involved collecting, sorting and processing the plastic.
- Follow 4R principal – reduce, reuse, recycle and recover.
- Making use of cotton jute bags while shopping.
- By dividing the garbage into biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes and hence recycling the non-biodegradable wastes.