Packaging is significant both to consumers and producers. To the consumer, excellent packaging means good storage of products; thus, preventing them from contamination(Schafer, 2015). For instance, no one would want to eat poorly packaged food that may be subjected to contamination. The consequences may be dire and costly. Different materials have been used for product packages, but plastics lead the way in terms of the most frequently used packaging material by many industries globally. A large percentage of products in a supermarket shelf are packaged using plastics. The water people drink, the food they eat and the electronics they buy are contained in different forms of plastic material. However, the use of plastic packages is not a problem.
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As a result, man’s environment remains affected by the huge number of plastic debris accumulated over time. The environment is integral to man and animal survival. A clean environment ensures a smooth interaction among the various parties forming the ecosystem that becomes balanced at the end. However, environmental pollution has adverse effects not only on the lives of human beings but other living organisms as well. The accumulation of plastic debris in the environment has led to negative environmental effects that continue to prove costly to mankind. Accordingly, this paper intends to delve into the discussion of environmental pollution caused by plastics. Moreover, the paper also discusses the negative environmental impacts of plastic pollution and the possible measures that can be put in place to mitigate the contamination of the environment by …show more content…
Both land and water bodies have been rendered unsafe due to the concentration of plastic materials. On land, plastics that have infiltrated deep in the landfills and soil release toxic materials that mix into ground water and become hazardous to crops (Rustagi, Pradhan & Singh, 2011). Chemical substances such as phthalates used as plasticizers in Poly Vinyl Chloride are toxic and pose a health risk to animals and crops (Rustagi, Pradhan & Singh, 2011). Plasticizers are merely substances added to plastic to enhance their flexibility (Rustagi, Pradhan & Singh, 2011). Furthermore, Rustagi, Pradhan and Singh (2011) assert that the “Release of phthalates during manufacture, use, and disposal of PVC products, in addition to their use as additives in ink, perfumes, etc. has led to their ubiquitous distribution and abundance in the global environment.” The more these chemicals infiltrate the environment, the more they become detrimental to animal and plant
As a result, man’s environment remains affected by the huge number of plastic debris accumulated over time. The environment is integral to man and animal survival. A clean environment ensures a smooth interaction among the various parties forming the ecosystem that becomes balanced at the end. However, environmental pollution has adverse effects not only on the lives of human beings but other living organisms as well. The accumulation of plastic debris in the environment has led to negative environmental effects that continue to prove costly to mankind. Accordingly, this paper intends to delve into the discussion of environmental pollution caused by plastics. Moreover, the paper also discusses the negative environmental impacts of plastic pollution and the possible measures that can be put in place to mitigate the contamination of the environment by …show more content…
Both land and water bodies have been rendered unsafe due to the concentration of plastic materials. On land, plastics that have infiltrated deep in the landfills and soil release toxic materials that mix into ground water and become hazardous to crops (Rustagi, Pradhan & Singh, 2011). Chemical substances such as phthalates used as plasticizers in Poly Vinyl Chloride are toxic and pose a health risk to animals and crops (Rustagi, Pradhan & Singh, 2011). Plasticizers are merely substances added to plastic to enhance their flexibility (Rustagi, Pradhan & Singh, 2011). Furthermore, Rustagi, Pradhan and Singh (2011) assert that the “Release of phthalates during manufacture, use, and disposal of PVC products, in addition to their use as additives in ink, perfumes, etc. has led to their ubiquitous distribution and abundance in the global environment.” The more these chemicals infiltrate the environment, the more they become detrimental to animal and plant