enrm 1001 newsletter, group 9
TRANSCRIPT
Environmental Defense
“THE FUTURE IS IN OUR HANDS”
Environmental Defense
PLASTIC POLLUTION
GROUP 9
STEFAN RAMROOPSINGH ( 814000928 )
STEPHANIE POLLARD ( 813000525 )
TIANA ISSACS ( 814000
SAMANTHA SINGH ( 814000881 )
NARIK BHAGIRATH ( 814000
Plastic pollution is the accumulation in the environ-
ment of man-made plastic products to the point where
they create problems for wildlife and their habitats as
well as for human populations.
Trinidad and Tobago is one of the most polluted small
island states in the world due to the fact that we dump
almost 50 million plastic bottles in our dumps per
month. Consequently, when plastics are exposed to
heat one of the deadliest toxins is created in which we
breathe in.
Plastics have become a cause for concern as a result of
our high consumer ism rate. Due to the fact that plas-
tics are irresponsibly discarded, they do not degrade
easily, floats on water and is not enthralled by the envi-
ronment. This material can be given the title of poster
child for pollution and is synonymous with all that is
considered bad for the world we live in. Classic images
of plastic land pollution are the clogging of drains with
this material.
Plastic Pollution Problems: Land
28/11/14
Volume 1, Issue 1
PLASTIC POLLUTION ON LAND
Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 2
BY: SAMANTHA SINGH
HARMFUL EFFECTS OF PLASTIC ON OUR LAND
Plastics take approximately 500-1000 years to disintegrate and contain toxins such as Eth-
ylene oxide, xylene, and benzene that can be released when heat is consistently being
placed on the plastic materials and consequently as a result of exposure to these toxins,
harmful diseases are caused in humans. Doctors suspect that the rise in the rate of cancer
patients is due to the exposure to these harmful toxins.
During the rainy season, the plastic rubbish that has fallen on the road gets washed away
into the nearby water reservoirs, canals, and drains, leading to their choking up and over-
flowing. Also, the water quality gets spoiled due to the addition of these synthetic materi-
als.
Wind carries and deposits plastic from one place to another and as a result this will In-
crease land pollution. Plastic bags can be manipulated by the wind and get trapped on fenc-
es, trees and buildings which may cause animals that come into this vicinity to get tangled
and suffocated which may lead to their death.
Blockage as a result of plastic accumulation may form breading grounds for mosquitoes
and other harmful vectors insects, which might cause numerous diseases in humans.
The quality of drinking water on our planet is deteriorating, as plastic releases some toxic
chemicals such as Styrene Trimer, Bisphenol A, and a by-product of Polystyrene. These
products are deteriorating the drinking water condition. Bisphenol A, a harmful toxin re-
leased by plastics damages the reproductive system of animals and humans.
Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 3
PLASTIC POLLUTION IN THE OCEANS
PLASTIC PROBLEM?
In contemporary society the problems related to pollution is becoming very severe, we
live in a world where consumerism is at an all-time high and this if left unchecked has already
been devastating the natural environment in a number of ways. If left unchecked it may cause
further deleterious effects on the environment and result in many problems. One such major
pollution takes place in the sea and is mainly due to plastics the following attempts to bring
about the awareness of this issue, as to the negative effects of plastics in our oceans.
In recent studies done some very alarming results were obtained, according to
OceanCrusaders.org 2014 shoppers worldwide use approximately 500 billion single use plas-
tic bags per year, which translates to about a million bags every minute across the globe and
150 bags a year for every person on earth. They stated that if joined end on they would cir-
cumnavigate the globe 4200 times! This is very alarming as such plastics end up in our water
ways and make their way to our beloved oceans (Figure 1) leading to various deleterious ef-
fects. They continued to state there is 46,000 pieces of plastic in every square mile of the
ocean! Helium balloons, a single use item, which when released goes up into the atmosphere,
when the helium becomes denatured the plastic balloon falls and may end up in the ocean.
Plastics are very resistive to decomposition and it can take from 20 years to 1000 years
for a single piece of plastic to break up, not break down, but to break up into smaller pieces
which still exists in the environment
Plastic Pollution Problems: Oceans
28/11/14
Volume 1, Issue 1
Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 4
BY: NARIK BHAGIRATH
HARMFUL EFFECTS OF PLASTICS IN OUR OCEANS
¨The death of marine creatures due to strangulation via entanglement, as they are stran-
gled in the plastics, up to 100,000 marine creatures a year are killed
¨Sea turtles who feed on jelly fish, easily mistake denatured helium balloons floating on
the surface of the water as the jelly fish as well as submerged floating plastic bags and try
to consume them. When it enters their body it is unable to be digested and therefore kills
them
¨Sea birds and Sea-lions become entangled in plastics and become suffocated as well as
some birds try to consume plastic materials and it remains in their digestive system which
ends fatally for them. Up to 1 million birds die a year from plastics
¨A single plastic bag can kill not only one, but many organisms as plastics are very resis-
tive to decomposition (no known organism can decompose plastic) as a result when one
animal is entangled in the plastic and they die, their body decomposed by the plastic re-
mains, over time another animal may fall victim and have the same faith as the one prior
to it
Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 5
HARMFUL EFFECTS OF PLASTICS IN OUR OCEANS
¨Acidification of the oceans occur due emissions of carbon dioxide, this can be related
to plastics as seen in Australia where 582.9 million liters of bottled water was produced
in 2009-2010 alone, producing and delivering a liter of bottled water can emit hundreds
of times more green-house gases than tap water. These emissions when in contact with
water ways lead to acidification of water ways, i.e lowering of their pH. Some marine
organisms are very sensitive to changes pH such as calcifying plankton find it harder to
create CaCO3 shells in acidic waters and so are unable to survive (Oceana.org 2014).
This can have major effects on the ecosystem and cause food webs to collapse, that is
because these planktons are what smaller fishes and whales eat, if no plankton are pre-
sent, the food supply for the small fish will be lost. This will result in their population
decreasing. As the smaller fish population decreases there is less food for fishes on the
2nd trophic level and so on, leading to increased competition and limited food supply
which has detrimental effects on the organisms.
¨As acidification disrupts food webs of the ocean, eventually it will affect us humans as
well, as we depend on fish as a source of food therefore we will need to find alternate
means of replacing this large food source
¨Plastics that are broken up into small pieces are
consumed by fish as well as chemicals from plastics
(lead, cadmium and mercury) are released into the
water and absorbed by fish. Humans use fish as a
means of meeting their protein requirements and so
by eating these fish we unknowingly consume all
the chemicals and pieces of plastic as well, as it is
present in the fish. This can have negative health ef-
fects on our health
¨It can be very aesthetically displeasing, the ocean is such a divine beauty, and due to
the increasing presence of plastics it is becoming a “plastic soup” which is very unap-
pealing to look at.
Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 6
Let’s talk about REDUCE:
Living on this earth
amongst all this plas-
tic waste isn’t safe or
healthy. What can we
do? What is already
being done? Can we
follow from these ex-
amples and have bet-
ter lifestyles? Yes!
Yes we can. Plastic
products are so con-
venient in this throw
it “away” society.
Where does it go?
Away? We are living
in a world where we
consume more and
more plastic every
year in every aspect
of our lives. When the
earth is over populat-
ed by plastic waste
build up what can are
we going to do? Our
options are to live
amongst it or to uti-
lize it. Have you ever
heard about the 3R’s?
REDUCE, REUSE
AND RECYCLE
Reducing is the act of
breaking down or us-
ing less of a sub-
stance in this case we
want to reduce the
use of plastic con-
sumption. Even
though plastic seems
convenient, there are
many other alterna-
tives that we can use
instead of disposable
plastic items.
The 3 R’s
28/11/14
Plastic Pollution Recommendations: Land
Volume 1, Issue 1
PLASTIC POLLUTION ON LAND
Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 7
BY: STEPHANIE POLLARD
Plastic bags are a major
source of plastic waste pile up
which can be replaced by eco-
friendly bags or reusable bags
at the grocery store, in shop-
ping centres and sometimes
some items do not require
baggage. Countries such as
India has banned the use of
plastic bags in certain villag-
es and major stores such as
Price Mart shopping centre
do not offer
packaging of
items in
plastic wrap-
ping or bags.
-Water bottles and any other
plastic items that can hold
soil can be used as a planting
medium.
-Get creative! : Donate plastic
packaging such as egg crates
to schools or centres or create
Reuse is the act of using an
item that has already been
used for its main purpose.
Many everyday items can be
reused:
Plastic bags can be reused to
line garbage bins.
your own
home project
such as mak-
ing a piggy
bank or bird
seed holders.
Now Is The Time To REUSE:
as birds. A refill lighter can
make a major difference.
Intersecting with reduction
would be reuse where plastic
containers can be reused
which also reduces your con-
sumption of plastics.
Purchase item that can be re-
filled instead of buying indi-
vidual items such as laundry
detergent and buy in bulk
bins where you can buy items
loose and refill your goods. A
simple item such as a dispos-
able lighter over times accu-
mulates in landfills and may
be consumed by animals such
“India has banned the use of
plastic bags in certain villages
and major stores “
Reducing:
Don’t need it, replace it
Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 8
Recycling is more commonly
associated with the process
where old goods are re-
manufactured, allowing them
to be turned into new prod-
ucts.
Recycling of plastics are al-
ready being done worldwide.
Plastic waste are collected
and sorted and then manipu-
lated to create new products.
This process may also be
called down cycling.
Recycling and reuse are both
interrelated and one can col-
lect their plastic trash and
carry it to recycling plants in
their area.
In Texas, Henry Sullivan re-
cycles plastic waste to make
rail roads tiles and in India
plastic bags are recycled to
make decorative handbags
and jewelry.
Recycling, A New innovation:
Environmental
Defense
To learn more or ask questions
plastics.
-Help set up recycling plants
and volunteer in the recycling
process.
Other than the basic reduce,
reuse, recycle, there are many
more ways in which plastic
pollution can be eliminated.
-Spread the word! Educating
others about plastic pollution
and ways to eradicate it.
-Countries can consider plac-
ing a ban on certain types of
There is More YOU and Your Country Can Do To Make A Difference!
Did you know?:
Coca Cola cleans their plastic
bottles which can be used up to
20times.
Page 9 Volume 1, Issue 1
PLASTIC POLLUTION IN THE OCEANS
Plastic Pollution Recommendations: Oceans
28/11/14
Volume 1, Issue 1
Water covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface and is a very important resource for people and
the environment. Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (e.g. lakes, rivers,
oceans, aquifers and groundwater). Water pollution occurs when pollutants are directly or in-
directly discharged into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful com-
pounds.
One of the most serious threats to oceans is plastics pollution. Plastic make up about 90% of
the total surface floating trash, with 46,000 pieces of plastic per square mile. Plastic unlike
other types of materials does not biodegrade; instead, it photo-degrades with sunlight, break-
ing down into smaller and smaller pieces. The physical wave action breaks up plastics over
time, but only into smaller bits that remain in the water and they never really disappear.
Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 10
BY: TIANA ISSACS
What are the solutions to this increasing threat? There is no one solution to the water plastic waste prob-
lem. The most effective way to stop plastic pollution in our oceans is to make sure it never reaches the
water in the first place. The first and most practical solution would be reduction. Reduction of plastic
waste is possible with the use of alternative materials. The use of wood, paper and even glass can reduce
the need for plastic. Society however has become very plastic dependent. They prefer plastic as opposed
to other materials for the mere fact that it is light-weight, cheap, strong and ‘disposable’.
In addition, legislations can be made and implemented to addresses this issue of plastic pollution. Legis-
lations can include harsh penalties for dumping of refuse and taxes on industries that produce excessive
plastics. Many states hold producers of materials like paint and carpet responsible for recovering and re-
cycling their product after it is used. Producers of plastic packaging should be required to find innovative
ways to design better packaging that can be more fully recovered for recycling or reuse, and they should
help cover the costs required to keep plastic out of the environment.
Innovation is another solution to the plastic waste problem in the ocean. Our capacity to come up with
smarter approaches, ideas, and materials is limitless. Businesses must continue reinventing the way we
make and consume our products, helping to forge a more sustainable world, and supporting communities
that demand better alternatives. Responsible legislation creates opportunity for these alternatives. Steel
water bottles and cloth grocery bags, biodegradable plastics and green chemistry, closed loop product
lifecycles – these innovations and reinventions move us towards a more sustainable society.
Furthermore recovery and recycling can have a great effect of helping alleviate this problem. Communi-
ties manage waste with landfills and recovery centers and can recycle a lot of plastic waste. Many per-
sons are becoming very innovative in their recycling of collected waste materials and are fashioning
many items out of this durable material. Trevor Williams and his team at Recycling in Motion (RIM)
recycles more than two million pounds of plastic per year. At the company's warehouse in Champs
Fleurs, there are large cardboard boxes filled with recycled granulated plastic pieces that are then export-
ed to begin their lives over as bags, container and even clothing. Unfortunately, recycling plastics has
proven difficult. The biggest problem with plastic recycling is that it is difficult to automate the sorting
of plastic waste, and so it is labor intensive.
Lastly, the second most practical solution or recommendation is the physical action of removal of the
waste. Although the degree of plastic pollution cur-
rently in our oceans is so extensive, many NGO’s as
well as government agencies has attempted to help
remove some of this waste. It can be debated whether
their actions have had any real impact on the issue
but with the continuous production of plastic and the
mere fact that it doesn’t degrade, they help slow
down the rate at which plastic consumes the oceans.
Some people however, believe that cleaning up plastic pollution from the world’s oceans is impractical.
In all, just as plastics are a common material used in many aspects of our lives, plastics are also a com-
mon component of marine debris. As plastic usage has increased over the years, so has the amount of
plastic entering water bodies. Plastics are a pervasive environmental problem, but they are a material
that can be managed and a resource that can be conserved. Reducing the plastic component of marine
debris depends upon better management of this resource, legislations, recycling and innovations and the
cleaning and removal of plastics from water bodies.
Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 11
PLASTIC POLLUTION
28/11/14
Plastic Pollution Innovations: Land & Oceans
Volume 1, Issue 1
The increasing use of plastics in our daily lives has led to mass pollution of plastics
in our landfills, dumps, waterways, oceans and our surroundings. This is of great
concern to Caribbean countries, where most of the island’s main economy is based
on the Tourism sector, which plastics both in the land and oceans can have adverse
effects on the country’s flora and fauna. While there are measures already being
taken to combat this issue, more needs to be done too help combat this issue, as the
rate of plastics being added to the environment is far greater than the rate at which
persons are currently dealing with the issue. From laws and legislation, to collection
and processing, the more that can be done to reduce, reuse and recycle plastics that
enter the environment will greatly help in curbing the current issue.
Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 12
BY: STEFAN RAMROOPSINGH
Firstly we can begin this change by raising public education and awareness on the harm-
ful impacts of plastics, both when being used for food and drinks, as well as its pro-
cessing and after disposal. The mass media, as well as schools and open forums are good
mediums to highlight this issue, and also prompt persons to decrease the amount of plas-
tic items they purchase, encourage proper disposal of plastic items, and also for persons
to reuse plastics in instances where possible.
Also, there needs to be more laws and stricter enforcement put in place, with regards to
the type of plastics being used, with possible bans on plastics that may cause significant
harm to persons or the environment when used or disposed. Enforcement of the laws is
also critical to ensure that persons abide by the laws, and act as a deterrent to improper
disposal of waste. The government can also provide incentives for persons bringing in
items that can be alternatives to plastics, while imposing taxes on plastic items which can
be substituted. This move by the government will only help persons change their mind
set and approach to plastics.
Additionally, persons should be encouraged to follow trends in Kenya and India, where
they try to salvage and reuse as much plastic as they can, both as parts for electronics, or
in Kenya, where villagers have made clothing, bags and decorations out of discarded
plastic items. While reducing plastic waste, this system also provides jobs for unem-
ployed persons and gives them a source of income to better themselves and move them
out of poverty, increasing the country’s GDP and HDI. On a larger scale, companies can
also use waste plastics for railroad tyres, and the production of ‘fluff’ which can be used
as a growing medium for plants.
Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 13
Finally, plastics are nearly in every part of our lives and cannot be easily replaced, how-
ever plastic companies can look into producing more organic plastics, as done by Plantic
Technologies Limited in Australia, where they are producing plastics which can be easily
dissolved in water, and other companies which use organic products to produce plastics,
thus reducing the need for fossil fuels as well as using creating plastics which can be
used after as an alternative energy source, reducing the carbon footprint we make.
In closing, there are numerous ways which we can use to tackle the issue of plastic pollu-
tion in the environment, as well as more ways that we can implement. However, these
measures can only work via the cooperation of the entire population, via education and
awareness, changing habits, laws and legislation, proper collection and handling of plas-
tic waste, and finally, new types of plastics which will have less harmful effects on hu-
mans and the environment.
Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 14
References
"What Is Ocean Acidification?" Oceana. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014. http://oceana.org/en/our-work/
climate-energy/ocean-acidification/learn-act/what-is-ocean-acidification
"Effects of Ocean Acidification on Marine Species & Ecosystems." Oceana. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov.
2014. http://oceana.org/en/our-work/climate-energy/ocean-acidification/learn-act/effects-of-ocean-
acidification-on-marine-species-ecosystems
"Solutions to Plastic Pollution in Our Oceans." Plastic Pollution in Oceans. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov.
2014. http://www.nrdc.org/oceans/plastic-ocean/
"Plastic Statistics." Ocean Crusaders. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2014.
http://oceancrusaders.org/crusades/plastic-crusades/plastic-statistics/
"Plastic Contamination in the Atlantic Ocean." Earth Times. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2014.
http://www.earthtimes.org/pollution/plastic-contamination-atlantic-ocean/377/
"Plastic Pollution." Coastal Issues / Coastal Care. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2014.
http://coastalcare.org/2009/11/plastic-pollution/
Gaikwad, Amruta. "Effects of Plastic Pollution." Buzzle. Buzzle.com. Web. 24 Nov. 2014. <http://
www.buzzle.com/articles/effects-of-plastic-pollution.html>.
"T&T among Most Polluted in World." The Trinidad Guardian Newspaper. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.
<http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2012-03-22/tt-among-most-polluted-world
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