Legalization Of Plastic Pollution

Decades ago, it was a miraculous new product; currently, it is convenient yet problematic, centuries from now, it will continue to break down and destroy the earth. The invention of plastic revolutionized the functionality of everyday lives due to its versatility, cheapness, and durability. People make use of over 100 million tons of plastic each year; from it, less than five percent gets recycled (Kiener 1). The remaining percent not recycled or incinerated accumulates in landfills, bodies of water, and almost everywhere else in nature. Although economically successful, plastic presents a multitude of problems towards the environment. Due to strong molecular bonds of the synthetic polymers, microorganisms cannot degrade the material, therefore,

Regardless of adamant behaviors, participation around the world needs to address the common issue. To ensure global assistance, stricter regulations must be executed and enforced. China, Mumbai, Ireland, Dacca, and California, for instance, have taken the initiative of banning plastic bags. Many countries like Denmark, Italy, Washington D.C., and Somaliland, imposed taxes on the purchase of the bags. After a year of tax on plastic bags, Denmark shoppers used 66% less than before (Kiener 4, 7, 12). California, being the first U.S. state to outlaw plastic bags, demonstrated the effects a ban has on Americans. Critics’ claims of shopper revolts and food-borne illnesses from reusable bags were refuted when beaches, streets, drains, and trees contained less waste. Plastic bags along the ocean previously accounted for seven point four percent of litter in 2010 and has since declined to three point one percent due to the impact of the ban and local cleanups (“Year since California Banned” 2). The ban on plastic bags is a small yet crucial movement against pollution that can lead to even greater responses. Recently, on January first, China responded to the accumulating pollution in their country by banning imported waste from foreign countries. Previously, over half of the world’s waste was processed in China. 50% of Calgary’s plastics and 1.42 million tons of plastic from the United States were annually exported to China to deal with. Now with excessive amounts of waste they confront, many countries are unsure of what to do. According to Sharon Howland, Calgary’s lead manager of waste and recycling services, “[T]he material is being stockpiled in empty storage sheds, shipping containers, trailers and warehouses since last fall.” Britain’s prime minister, Theresa May, on the