Bottles Scatttered in Waterway

Plastic Pollution

Impacts and Effects
The impacts of plastic pollution has become ubiquitous in natural and built environments, raising concerns about potential harm to humans and nature alike. Once in the environment, research shows that plastic pollution is persistent and may take between 100 to 1,000 years or more to decompose, depending on environmental conditions. Source: https://www.epa.gov/plastics/impacts-plastic-pollution

What are They?

Plastic pollution has far-reaching environmental, economic, and health consequences. In oceans and waterways, plastic
waste harms marine life through entanglement and ingestion, often leading to injury or death. Microplastics infiltrate
ecosystems and food chains, posing potential health risks to humans. On land, plastic waste clogs drainage systems,
contributes to urban flooding, and degrades soil quality. The production and disposal of plastics release greenhouse
gases, exacerbating climate change. Economically, plastic pollution affects industries such as tourism and fisheries,
leading to financial losses. Without urgent action to improve waste management, reduce plastic use, and implement
stricter policies, plastic pollution will continue to threaten ecosystems and human well-being.