Question

A survey showed that one-time-use plastic items were among the top 10 plastic items found in garbage washed up from oceans. Can this be true? Explain how.

Answer 1

1. Use and throwaway plastics cause short and long time environmental damage. These items like plastic carry bags, straws, plates, spoons, pouches, etc., take a few seconds to be made in a factory but can stay in the environment forever a 1000 years. These items block drains and pollutes water bodies. These plastics break down into pieces that are smaller than 5mm in diameter. These microplastics pollute the ocean and harm marine life, which mistakes them for their food.
2. These one-time-use plastics when disposed of carelessly are carried to the ocean by winds, cause harm to marine life, and are brought back to the shore by waves.