Plastic pollution is damaging our environment rapidly. Waste plastic material is hard to dispose of and contributes to major pollution on earth. This has become a cause of global concern. The increasing use of plastic bags, utensils and furniture, the amount of plastic waste has also gone up and so has the plastic pollution. It is time we must take this problem seriously and work towards eradicating it.
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Long and Short Essay on Plastic Pollution in English
Here are essays on plastic pollution of varying lengths to help you with the topic in your exams and school assignments. You can select any plastic pollution essay as per your need and requirement:
Short Essay on Plastic Pollution – Essay 1 (200 words)
Plastic pollution is caused due to the accumulation of the waste plastic material in the environment. Plastic is a non bio-degradable substance. It doesn’t get disposed off in the soil or water and its effect is worse when burnt. It is thus a challenge to dispose it off. It remains in the environment for hundreds of years and causes air, water and land pollution. It is hazardous for the humans, animals as well as the plants. Several animals, birds and marine creatures die due to plastic pollution each year.
Plastic plates, bags, spoons, glasses and other material are readily available in the market. These are economical and easy to use. People prefer using these use-and-throw utensils during gatherings and parties as it shuns the hassle of clearing and cleaning the utensils later. All they need to do is to gather these and throw them away. However, little do they realize that this waste is not disposed off so easily. It continues to remain in the environment and harm us adversely.
Not just plastic utensils and carry bags, furniture and various other things made out of plastic are also used extensively world over. It is high time we must realize the harmful effects of plastic pollution and contribute our bit towards bringing it down.
Essay on Beat Plastic Pollution – Essay 2 (300 words)
Introduction
Plastic pollution, caused due to plastic waste, has reached alarming heights and is increasing rapidly with every passing day. It has become a cause of global concern as it is destroying our beautiful planet and having negative repercussions on all kinds of living beings.
Ways to Beat Plastic Pollution
Here are two simple ways to lower plastic pollution that we can practice in our daily life:
- Avoid Usage/ Look for Alternatives
The first and the most important step towards beating plastic pollution is to avoid the usage of plastic products.
Now, since we have grown quite accustomed to using plastic products and these are light on our pocket, we cannot avoid their usage completely. However, we can certainly avoid using those plastic products that can easily be replaced with eco-friendly alternatives. For instance, instead of using plastic bags, we can easily opt for a jute, cloth or paper bag when we head for shopping. Likewise, instead of using disposable plastic cutlery and utensils during parties we can use those made of steel, paper, thermocol or any other material which is reusable or easy to dispose.
- Reuse
If you cannot avoid using plastic bags or other products for some reason then it is suggested to at least reuse them as many times as you can before disposing them off. We are in a habit of throwing the plastic bags and containers we get with packed food almost immediately after use even though these can be used a couple of times before disposing off. We should reuse these instead. This can be our contribution towards reducing the plastic waste and bringing down plastic pollution.
Conclusion
It is time for us to stand united to fight this evil called plastic pollution. If each one of us follows the ways to beat plastic pollution shared here then we can certainly bring down the pollution level to a large extent.
Essay on Causes and Effects of Plastic Pollution – Essay 3 (400 words)
Introduction
Plastic pollution has become a major threat to our environment in today’s times and it is likely to make things worse in the times to come. There are many reasons that lead to this type of pollution. The adverse effects of plastic pollution are also plenty.
Causes of Plastic Pollution
- Economical and Easy to Use
Plastic is one of the most widely used substances when it comes to production of containers, bags, furniture and various other things. This is because it is economical and can easily be moulded into different forms. The increasing use of plastic goods has increased the plastic waste which is a cause of plastic pollution.
- Non-Biodegradable
Plastic waste which is increasing by the day is non-biodegradable. Plastic does not get disposed of in soil or water. It remains in the environment for hundreds of years and adds to the land, water and air pollution.
- Plastic Breaks but Doesn’t Dissolve
Plastic bags and other items made from plastic break into tiny particles that make their way into the soil or enter the water bodies thereby contributing to plastic pollution.
Effects of Plastic Pollution
Here is how plastic pollution is effecting our environment and life on earth:
- Pollutes Water
Plastic waste is entering the water bodies such as rivers, seas and even oceans and is polluting our water drastically. This water is then supplied at our places. No matter how much we filter this water it can never get back to its pure form and thus has negative repercussions on our health.
- Pollutes Land
Large amount of plastic waste is dumped in landfills. Wind carries plastic bags and other small plastic particles from one place to another thereby effecting major area. Plastic particles release harmful chemicals that deposit in the soil and ruin its quality. It impacts the growth of the plants. Besides, waste lying on the land breeds mosquitoes and other insects that are carriers of various serious illnesses.
- Harms Marine Life
Plastic bags and other plastic litter that goes into rivers and seas are mistaken as food by the marine creatures who often gulp them and eventually fall sick.
- Harms Animals
Animals mostly feed on food thrown in the garbage. They eat plastic bags and other items along with other things. Plastic bags often get stuck in their intestines and choke them to death. They are also a cause of many serious illnesses.
Conclusion
Plastic pollution is a cause of serious concern. It is increasing because of the negligence of humans. It is time we must take strict measures to fight it.
Essay on Solutions of Plastic Pollution – Essay 4 (500 words)
Introduction
Plastic pollution has become a growing concern worldwide. The government of many countries is taking measures such as banning plastic bags to reduce plastic pollution. However, bringing down this problem is only possible if we all contribute our bit as responsible human beings.
Government Must Take Stringent Steps
It is time the government of various countries must take strict measures to fight plastic pollution. Here are few steps they should follow:
- Keep a Tab on Plastic Production
With the increasing demand of plastic products in the market, the number of factories manufacturing plastic is increasing worldwide. The government must not allow any more plastic manufacturers in the market to keep a tab on the production of the items made of plastic.
- Ban Plastic Items
The government of many countries have put a ban on the use of plastic bags as they contribute to maximum amount of plastic pollution. However, in some countries such as India, this ban has not been implemented well. The government must take stringent steps to stop the use of plastic bags. This should involve putting a ban on the production of plastic bags as well as punishing those found using these.
- Spread Awareness
It is of utmost importance to spread awareness about the harmful effects of plastic waste on our environment. This can be done by way of television and radio advertisements, billboards and social media. This should help people understand the seriousness of the issue and how their contribution can make a difference.
Other Simple Solutions to Lower Plastic Pollution
Here are certain simple ways in which we can lower plastic pollution and make our environment cleaner:
- Don’t Use Plastic Bags
Plastic bags get broken into tiny pieces that go into the water bodies and enter the soil thereby disrupting the growth of plants and causing harm to the aquatic life. Mostly used for grocery shopping, these bags can easily be replaced by reusable cloth bags.
- Say No to Packaged Drinking Water
Packaged drinking water comes in plastic bottles and glasses. These waste bottles and glasses contribute immensely to plastic pollution. As responsible citizens we must stop purchasing packaged drinking water and carry our own water bottles instead.
- Avoid Ordering Food
Most fast food restaurants deliver food in plastic containers that add to waste plastic. It is better to avoid ordering food from such restaurants. It is better to have home cooked food.
- Recycle
Many recycling companies take used plastic containers, plastic bottles and other stuff made of this material and recycle it. It is suggested to give away such plastic items to these companies rather than throwing them in the bin and adding to the plastic waste.
- Purchase Bulk Grocery
It is a good idea to purchase bigger packages of the grocery items rather than going for several small packets. These items are mostly packed in plastic bags or containers. So, this way you will reduce plastic waste.
Conclusion
It is a big challenge to dispose of plastic and the increasing amount of plastic waste is leading to plastic pollution. The simple solutions mentioned here can go a long way in lowering the level of plastic pollution.
Long Essay on Plastic Pollution – Essay 5 (600 words)
Introduction
Plastic pollution is increasing by the day. Research shows that the use of plastic has increased drastically in the last two decades. Plastic is convenient to use and costs less. This is the reason why people are more inclined towards purchasing various products made of plastic. To meet the growing demands of the people, the number of factories manufacturing plastic products has increased rapidly. The more plastic is used, the more plastic waste gets accumulated on our planet and causes the hazardous plastic pollution. This is becoming a threat to life as it is giving way to various illnesses.
Plastic Production: Consuming Useful Resources
Not only is disposing of plastic a serious concern but the production of this substance is equally devastating for us. The production of plastic involves valuable fossil fuels such as oil and petroleum. These fossil fuels are non-renewable and hard to extract. A lot is invested in fetching these fossil fuels and these are required for various other purposes. If we continue to use these valuable fuels for the production of plastic, we shall run out of them and would not be able to employ them for producing or running other more important things.
Marine Life: Worst Effected by Plastic Pollution
Plastic bags and other plastic particles are carried by wind and water into the seas, oceans and other water bodies. People who go for picnics and camping also litter plastic bottles and packets of chips that add to plastic pollution. All this goes into the rivers and seas and effects the marine creatures adversely. These poor creatures mistake plastic for food and eat it. This results in serious illness in fishes, turtles and other marine creatures. Many of them die because of plastic pollution each year. Researchers claim the number of deaths and illnesses caused due to plastic pollution will increase in the coming years.
Plastic Pollution: A Threat to Humans and Animals
Just like the marine creatures, animals also consume plastic lying in the garbage mistaking it for food. At times, they gulp the entire plastic bag by mistake. This gets stuck in their intestines and suffocates them to death. Plastic waste keeps deteriorating with time and becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, flies and other insects. Large chunk of mosquitoes penetrate here and give way to various diseases each year.
Plastic waste is also polluting the rivers that are a source of drinking water for us. The quality of drinking water is getting worse day by day due to plastic pollution and this is resulting in various water borne diseases.
Collective Effort to Fight Plastic Pollution
It is difficult to dispose plastic products. It is dangerous when plastic waste goes to the landfills and even more dangerous when it goes into the water bodies. Unlike, wood and paper we cannot even dispose it of by burning it. This is because burning plastic produces harmful gases that are dangerous for the environment and life on earth. Plastic thus causes air, water and land pollution.
No matter, how hard we try we cannot do away with the plastic products completely. However, we can certainly restrict our plastic usage. A number of plastic products such as plastic bags, containers, glasses, bottles, etc can easily be replaced by eco-friendly alternatives such as cloth/ paper bags, steel utensils and so on.
Controlling plastic pollution is not solely the government’s responsibility. In fact, the government alone cannot do anything. We need to act responsibly and do our bit to bring down the plastic pollution.
Conclusion
Plastic pollution is rising at a rapid speed and has become a cause of major concern. We can bring down plastic pollution by restricting its use. Each one of us must work towards combating this problem.
Related Information:
Why Plastic Bags should be Banned
Plastic Pollution: Causes, Effects and Solutions
Why Plastic Bags Should be Banned Essay
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