A staggering amount of approximately 8 billion tons of plastic have been produced throughout the world to date. This is equivalent to one ton per individual currently inhabiting the planet, while predictions indicate that plastic pollution will triple by the year 2060. The production of plastics involves an estimated array of over 13,000 distinct chemicals, a significant number of which have never undergone thorough assessments to determine their toxicity levels. The pros and cons of plastic have been the subject of a longstanding debate. Let’s see what experts say in this regard.
Key Takeaways:
- People generate around 400 million tons of plastic waste annually, with approximately 60% of this waste finding its way into our natural environment or landfills. This quantity is expected to triple by 2060.
- Plastic poses various health risks due to the presence of harmful chemicals and potential exposure to microplastics, small particles less than 5mm in size, already found in water, food, and even the air.
- High temperatures can increase the leaching of chemicals from plastic into food and therefore experts recommend avoiding heating up plastic containers in microwave ovens.
- According to environmental specialists, efforts to reduce plastic consumption include promoting recycling, rethinking its use and its production technology, and developing more sustainable alternatives.
DevelopmentAid: From chemicals to plastics, pesticides and heavy metals, how can we protect ourselves against the harmful chemicals that we frequently eat and drink?
“Protecting ourselves against harmful chemicals in our food and drinks is an essential aspect of maintaining our overall health, and the use of plastics has been a topic of discussion in this regard. Plastics can contain harmful chemicals like bisphenol A and phthalates, which can leach into food and beverages, especially when exposed to heat. Avoid microwaving or storing food in plastic containers or wrapping it in plastic wrap, as heat can facilitate chemical migration.”
“Forever chemicals are resistant to breakdown and once in the body of a non-healthy human, they rarely leave it. They can make their way into our body from food packaging. Pesticides and heavy metals can also enter human bodies through the food chain. The only possible way to protect ourselves against these two risks is to act as a community and go for an organic way of food production. In the case of forever plastics, there is a need for individual as well as collective action to minimize dangerous food packaging.”
“Chemical additives like BPA and Phthalates leach out of plastic products and into house dust that we breathe every day. Additionally, the manufacture and incineration of certain plastics create dioxins, potent carcinogens that are disproportionately present in low-income communities and communities of color. We implore coastal communities to stop washing plastic items in the dishwasher and heating them in the microwave and avoid putting already hot food into plastic containers. Higher temperatures increase the likelihood of chemicals leaching from the plastic and affecting human health. We also urge smallholder farmers to use organic fertilizer/pesticides, land use management and nature restoration for food crop production to produce healthy food for healthy people as an integral part of our Sustainable Food System Programme of the One Planet Network.”
“I think it is mostly related to our food cultures. A varied and balanced diet helps minimize the concentration of specific chemicals in our bodies, not only the toxins related to plastic but toxins from chemical pesticides as well. Minimizing the use of packaged food and buying local and unprocessed food lead to less plastic contamination. Filtering drinking water using high-quality filters reduces contaminants like heavy metals and microplastic. Being aware of food packaging materials and using alternatives such as paper, glass, stainless steel, or BPA-free plastics for storage and reheating minimizes chemical leaching. It is highly advisable to avoid using plastic containers to store hot food which causes the leaching of microplastic and additives.”
DevelopmentAid: Could you list both pros and cons of plastic use?
“One of the biggest pros is versatility: Plastics are highly versatile materials that can be molded into various shapes and sizes, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. On the contrary, the con refers to the environmental impact: Plastics have a significant environmental impact due to their slow degradation and accumulation in landfills, oceans, and ecosystems. Single-use plastics, such as disposable cutlery, straws, and bags, generate a significant amount of waste.”
“Plastics have made life easier for billions of people. Their uses range from everyday grocery packaging to the production of airplane parts. The more dangerous trend is about single-use plastics. With a brief useful life and non-degradability, they pose a threat to nature. Plastics can cause air pollution if burned, soil pollution if buried and can enter the bodies of humans and fish as microplastics and will stay there at least for whole human life span.”
“The advantages of plastic use are its durability, low cost, and versatility, and ability to be tailored to meet specific technical needs. Being of a lighter weight than competing materials reduces fuel consumption during transportation. They also ensure good safety and hygiene properties for food packaging. The disadvantages include the environmental impact, health risks, and toxicity.”
“Plastic use has advantages such as versatility and durability. Furthermore, it helps to increase the shelf life of food which reduces food waste. However, it also has significant drawbacks as well. Plastic contributes to climate change, pollutes land and marine ecosystems, and releases toxic pollutants during the production, usage, and post-consumer phases which are harmful to both humans and animals. One of the main threats created by plastic is the effects of microplastic and nanoplastic.”
“Although plastic helps in our daily lives, it also has its own bad impact on human health and the environment. The global plastic production rate at 8bn is also a concern, per OECD February 2022, with only 9% of plastic waste being recycled and 22% mismanaged. The likes of Nelson Boateng of Ghana are using plastic waste to produce pavement blocks, and creating employment and reducing environmental hazard. In addition, in some West African countries, people collect plastic waste and sell it for their livelihood. Some women in the plastic waste business have built their own houses. Some researchers have identified that putting water in plastic bottles has negative effectives on the human body. Toxic chemicals in plastics causes infertility, obesity, thyroid issues, diabetes, prostrate or breast cancer to name a few for now. People should pour water into glass jugs or glass bottles instead of plastic bottles. Recycling should be encouraged in every country e.g., in Germany people receive money for the recycling of plastic bottles.”
“Plastics being inexpensive, lightweight, and durable materials have found a use in a wide range of applications, to replace metals such as copper, brass, aluminum, silver, and other alloys. The process of pollution starts when the plastic products are thrown away in the form of waste after their use. Due to not being biodegradable, plastic waste continues to occupy space in the universe and has become a threat to the environment. Many of the basic raw materials used in the production of plastic are toxic including phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), and tetrabromobisphenol, leading to air and water pollution. Also, the complex nature of polymers, with hundreds of different varieties, that made up of plastics makes its recycling very difficult.”
DevelopmentAid: What is the answer to reducing or eliminating the toxins hidden in plastics?
“Efforts to reduce plastic consumption include promoting recycling and developing more sustainable alternatives which are important to mitigate the negative effects of plastic use. Avoid storing acidic or fatty foods in plastic containers for long periods, as these types of foods are more likely to facilitate chemical leaching. Properly dispose of plastics: dispose of plastics responsibly by recycling whenever possible.”
“The way forward to deal with toxins in plastic is to rethink its use and its production technology. We need to find alternatives to these toxins that are safer and, more importantly, live and die in nature. It could be the use of different types of plants especially those living in aquamarine ecosystems.”
“To reduce or eliminate the toxins hidden in plastics, we need to adopt sustainable alternatives, design plastic products for circularity with zero toxins, reduce overall plastic consumption, develop biodegradable options, advocate for stricter regulations and eco-labeling, and invest in research for safer additives. The government’s role is to provide strategic directions and policy support to create an enabling environment for industries to come up with innovations to reduce or eliminate the risk to their consumers and individual behaviors could put pressure on both government and industries.”
“Can we eliminate plastics? Although eliminating the use of plastic entirely is a fantastic long-term goal, it is obviously not going to happen in the short term. The sustainable solutions are therefore aligned with the following thematic areas: developing alternatives to plastics, cleaning up the land and water bodies, behavioral change towards a circular economy, and developing policies and regulations on extended producer responsibility (EPR), polluter pay principle (PPP), and the banning of single-use plastic products.”
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