Next time you go shopping and carry your purchases home in a plastic bag, think and realise that you are contributing to toxic plastic pollution. The type of pollution caused by plastic has irreversible ill-effects that will affect many generations to come.
Plastic is one of the major toxic pollutants of our time. Its repercussions are expanding at a catastrophic rate.
Composed of toxic chemicals and, most importantly, being a non-biodegradable substance, plastic causes pollution at every stage of its existence: manufacture, use and disposal. Disposable plastic is a myth. It is a material that the Earth cannot digest. Once plastic is produced, the harm introduced is almost permanent. When you recycle one hazard, you pave the way for another, which makes it necessary to add another magic word, ‘refuse', to the three green activists swear by — reduce, recycle and reuse.
Efforts to work towards a world free of plastic pollution and its toxic impact on humans, animals and the environment seem to be a distant dream because plastic products are durable, easy and cheap to make. The only way to overcome the deadly and lasting danger of plastic pollution is to cut down its use, or possibly avoid it altogether. Say no to plastics whenever and wherever you can.
— This reader is a sales manager based in Dubai
Be a community reporter. Tell us what is happening in your community. Send us your videos and pictures at readers@gulfnews.com
