Activity 3.3.3.1 Current Events in Plastic Pollution

 

CANADA AIMS TO BAN SINGLE-USE PLASTICS BY 2021

 

What I am learning is that single use plastic is one of the largest pollutants on the planet. This includes disposable plates, utensils, straws, and plastic bags. From activity 3.3.3 I have learned the lingering effects plastics have once they start to degrade in the environment. If we produce less single use plastics than less will contaminate the environment. Prime Minister Trudeau stated in this article “Canada recycles less than 10 percent of its disposable plastics and is on track to throw away $11 billion worth of disposable plastic by 2030 unless things change.” (Howard)

This article is to inform the reader the steps Canada is doing to reduce plastic pollution in the environment. The ban on single use plastics is a step in the right way to reduce the amount plastics in the environment. Although this article does not state which items are being banned or the timeframe it has joined 60 other countries in this type of ban.

The idea of lessening the use of single use plastics will greatly improve the environment. Single use plastics are one of the greatest plastic pollutants. These items become worse when they start to degrade in the environment. Because they are petroleum base they do not completely break down and are ending up in the bodies of the wildlife and humans.

The reduction of single use plastics is an important issue but Canada also realizes there is a plastics problem on the planet. They are trying to use their resources to curb their reliance on plastics. Canada is joining 60 other countries using their resources to help solve the planets pollution problems and more countries are following this course.

Although I do not live in Canada and have access to single use plastics I can still try to reduce using them and informing others of the issues. The solution is not just taking large plastic out of the environment but also finding other resources to take the place of these plastics if they are necessary. I learned from the last activity that when plastics start to degrade, they can end up anywhere.

This article has me thinking why more countries do not adopt more of these policies. Single use plastics are not a necessity but make life easier. I can see why it would be difficult to stop using these plastics but there are other items to take the place. Even if you must use these plastics then do not use them once but find another way to make these more useful.

 

Reference

Howard, B. C., Gibbens, S., Zachos, E., & Parker, L. (2019, June 10, update). A running list of action on plastic pollution. Environment. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2018/07/ocean-plastic-pollution-solutions/

Simons Foundation Science Sandbox (Producer). (2019). World class explorers help scientists collect elusive data [Video].World Class Explorers Help Scientists Collect Elusive Data

Van Sebille, E. (2013). Charting the garbage patches of the seas[video]. University of New South Wales. Charting the garbage patches of the sea