Introduction
The current global problem of climate change is affecting human life in different ways. For instance, the extreme weather patterns recorded in different parts of the world within the past six decades have resulted in underproduction, heavy downpours, and global warming. The sustainability question is more relevant today than at any other time if people are to continue pursuing their personal and professional goals. Unfortunately, some corporations, emerging businesses, and citizens still do not appreciate the importance of protecting the integrity of the natural environment for the purpose of posterity. This paper gives a detailed analysis of plastic pollution and proposals that different stakeholders and governments can implement to mitigate this predicament since it is one of the leading contributors to climate change.
Background Information
Pollution is a major concern today due to the forces of industrialization, globalization, urbanization, and consumption. Many companies produce a wide range of materials that they utilize for packaging various consumer goods or items depending on the expectations of the final consumer. Plastic remains the favorite choice since it is durable, rigid, easy to handle, and capable of withstanding increased heat conditions (Ritchie and Roser). Corporations and emerging firms find it useful due to its availability and malleability. Unfortunately, plastic pollution is presently one of the leading causes of environmental degeneration and loss of habitats. The accumulation rate of plastic particles, objects, and compounds in rivers and urban centers has increased significantly in the developing world (Moore). The absence of stringent measures to hold those who produce them accountable has triggered this challenge. Stakeholders are doing very little to overcome this predicament and protect natural habitats and minimize the impacts of climate changes.
Plastic pollution is capable of affecting all oceans, landscapes, and rivers that support the integrity of the natural environment. The United States is one of the leading contributors to this malpractice in the world today (Prata et al. 2412). For instance, this country produced and released over 100 million pounds of plastic in 2018 (Ritchie and Roser). In 2017, the International Coastal Cleanup exercise conducted annually indicated that over 3.7 million pounds of plastic-related trash were retrieved from the U.S. coasts in a single day (Ritchie and Roser). Most of the efforts undertaken occasionally have failed to deliver positive outcomes. A good example is that of Chattanooga River despite the fact that different people try to clean and remove debris and minimize the chances of pollution.
The problem of plastic pollution threatens many aquatic animals since some of them eat plastic materials, thereby increasing the chances of developing complications or dying (see Fig. 1). Additionally, every American family will take home over 1,500 plastic carrier bags annually (Prata et al. 2417). However, less than one percent of such plastic materials tend to be recycled. Human beings usually allow the remaining ones to pollute and disorient the integrity of the natural environment.
Most of the measures different states and regions have put in place to minimize this problem have failed to produce meaningful results. Plastic pollution is directly linked to the nature of this country’s consumption and production patterns. Most companies and small firms consider plastic as an essential packaging material that minimizes costs of operations while maximizing profits (Prata et al, p. 2418). Its convenience and physical properties explain why many stakeholders and customers find them useful and capable of meeting their demands (Sandipan, p. 4). However, such a trend has affected the planet negatively and continued to threaten the lives of different creatures, including aquatic life. For instance, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which appears hard to clean, is a good example of what unmanaged plastics can do to the environment (see Figure 2). These issues explain why a multifaceted approach is needed to reduce plastic pollution protect the integrity of the natural environment.
Reduction of Plastic Pollution
The above section has identified the current rate of plastic pollution as alarming and capable of triggering additional challenges in the future if global partners fail to implement evidence-based measures to deal with it. The best strategy will be to examine what might have worked well in different countries across the globe and introduce it in the United States (Howard et al.). The use of credible facts from economic and environmental studies will deliver legitimate efforts or strategies to reduce the challenge of pollution and make the natural environment more sustainable. Some of the best initiatives that the government can consider are outlined below.
The first powerful approach for reducing the current rate of pollution from plastics is the introduction of policies aimed at banning the possession, handling, production, and use of bags that are capable of protecting the environment. Such laws need to be designed in such a way that there are punitive measures and fines for those who break them. This strategy will compel more citizens and corporations to stop producing or handling plastic bags (Rhodes, p. 221). Such a development will ensure that plastic materials are no longer available in the supply chain. Consequently, the current level of pollution will decrease significantly. The relevant agencies and organizations will need to work collaboratively to support the implementation and effectiveness of such laws (Prata et al, p. 2419). The success stories recorded in Bangladesh, Italy, and South Africa reveal that bans on plastic or disposable carrier bags can deliver positive results.
The second initiative that different stakeholders need to consider is that of improving the level of efficiency regarding its applicability. The ban on some plastic containers might be problematic due to the fact that other available materials might be impractical due to the health hazards they pose, such as metal cans. This reality explains why companies can produce better plastic designs characterized by low quantities of materials while making them reusable or recyclable (Bullock). The extended life of the packaging container means that it will not have a direct impact on the environment. Business entities can go further to embrace the idea of collecting such plastic materials and reusing them to ensure that they do not contribute to the increasing level of pollution.
The third practical approach for dealing with this problem is to reduce the current rate of plastic consumption. Rhodes indicates that double-packaging still remains a common practice in different regions across the United States (p. 223). Stakeholders and convenience stores can consider the importance of choosing eco-friendly or sustainable materials or practices to minimize the quantities of plastics that are disposed of at the end of the supply chain. This initiative needs to be expanded to maximize the level of awareness and encourage more citizens to avoid the use of plastics and recycle them when necessary. The consideration of available alternatives can become an evidence-based approach for overcoming this challenge. Companies can go a step further to embrace the idea of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to remain involved in the lifecycle of their plastic materials (Sandipan, p. 6). They can also consider the importance of undertaking cleanup exercises to minimize the potential impacts of plastic materials on the environment.
The fourth strategy that different organizations, users, and governments need to take seriously is that of litter or waste management. At an individual level, citizens can ensure that they dispose of plastics conveniently without allowing them to damage the integrity of the environment. Different agencies should guide more members of the public to recycle or reuse most of the materials efficiently and recycle them when necessary (Christensen). The implementation of sanctions might become counterproductive since constant monitoring will be needed (Rhodes, p. 224). When more people understand the potential dangers of plastic pollution, chances are high that they will start to handle and dispose them in a proper manner and contribute to their reduction.
The fifth initiative to tackle this environmental problem can borrow the measures the European Union (EU) has put in place. According to Ritchie and Roser, Europe has been producing plastic waste amounting to over 2.58 million tons annually. Around 30 percent of these materials will be recycled to minimize their impacts on the ecosystem (Engler). The problem of ocean plastic pollution has become a major challenge since over 150,000 tons of waste are allowed into the oceans every year (Ritchie and Roser). With these statistics, the EU chose to implement a superior strategy to address the challenge of plastics since they had the potential to affect human, animal, and aquatic life. This initiative is characterized by different procedures and rules that all countries need to implement. Some of these measures include minimizing plastics intended for single-use, improving the packaging and recyclability of such materials, protecting fishing areas, and reducing micro-plastics contained in detergents and other products (Ritchie and Roser). These measures are capable of minimizing the current level of pollution and protecting all ecosystems and habitats.
The sixth possible solution to this environmental predicament is the decision to carry personal water bottles. A study by Engler revealed that plastic water bottles were a leading cause of plastic pollution in different countries. Such containers were hard to reuse due to the nature of business models’ different companies had implemented. With a reusable bottle, more people would contribute to the initiative of reducing the quantities of plastic materials that have the potential to affect the integrity of the environment. Water companies can consider the importance of providing recyclable containers and refill centers that can meet the demands of more people at an individual level. Such a model is evidence-based and capable of reducing the percentage of plastic containers tossed in trash containers every single day.
The seventh initiative is for people to take the challenge of plastic pollution as a personal issue they can mitigate through the adoption of various measures. When every individual is willing to try, the global community will make meaningful progress and protect all threatened species (Goncalves and Faure, p. 875). Most of the items people use in their houses tend to contribute to the increased levels of plastic pollution, including straws, disposable utensils and cutlery, plastic wrappers, and grocery bags (Prata et al, p. 2412). Individuals can consider this issue and start to rely on reusable versions to ensure that their personal ecological footprints reduce significantly. The use of recyclable mugs and bottles will eventually make it easier for the United States to minimize the current rate of plastic pollution significantly. Similarly, individuals can embrace the idea of buying products and goods in bulk since the practice will minimize the number of disposable materials.
The eighth strategy revolves around the current number of non-governmental agencies and private initiatives aimed at tackling the problem of plastic pollution. Most of these efforts have the potential to compel companies and members of the community to be involved and consider superior measures to deal with this problem. Those in leadership positions can consider the importance of supporting such organizations to achieve their goals much faster. They can provide the relevant resources and ideas to engage in campaigns, training programs, and clean-up exercises that can deliver meaningful results in this area (Tibbetts, p. A92). Citizens can give their donations to support such agencies successful and capable of pursuing their goals diligently. Individuals can consider the importance of volunteering and collecting the current wastes that are affecting different habitats and ecosystems. Such organizations can also collaborate and focus on this problem to present more practical solutions.
Finally, all countries need to view this challenge from an international perspective due to globalization. Some of the plastic materials produced in country A would eventually become an environmental hazard in country B (Sandipan, p. 5). This fact explains why a coordinated approach will make it possible for the world to find evidence-based solutions to this problem, maximize recycling programs, and eventually make environmental issues a priority. All partners will pursue cleanup exercises at the international level in order to help different ecosystems become sustainable again and sensitize more people about this predicament. Countries will share their experiences and lessons from their existing strategies and how they have delivered positive outcomes in this area.
When these measures are put in place, the global community will record desirable results and maintain the integrity of all habitats, hydrological cycles, and protect aquatic life. More people will not have to burn plastics since they contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer (Prata et al, p. 2419). A coordinated approach will also emerge whereby superior laws and guidelines will be implemented effectively to tackle this problem and all the other problems associated with climate change. Some of the best practices recorded in different regions or communities can be replicated at the international level to deliver positive results and make it easier for more countries to overcome this challenge of pollution (Sandipan, p. 5). A sustainable world will become a new opportunity for protecting all at risk species. Consequently, such efforts will work synergistically to protect this planet for the sake of posterity.
Conclusion
The above analysis has identified plastic pollution as a major environmental concern that can affect human beings and aquatic life. The established global economic system has maximized the use of plastic for the packaging of various products and items. With waste management procedures and initiatives, the planet has become overwhelmed by the increasing quantities of plastics in different rivers and oceans. The above proposals have the potential to work synergistically to reduce plastic pollution and protect every affected ecosystem and habitat in different regions or continents. Individuals and governments need to play their specific roles diligently if positive results are to be recorded across the globe.
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