How do plastics fragment and remain in the environment for hundreds of years?
In fact, many of today’s industry benchmarks were originally developed by MES. Plastic waste incineration is just one area where we can provide proven solutions that not only completely destroy plastic waste, but also fully comply with all of the world’s strictest environmental standards and regulations. The point is that if you have the right waste incineration technology, you can be sure that you have the means to destroy all types of plastics in an ethical and environmentally responsible manner that will one hundred percent prevent plastic waste from polluting our land, rivers and seas.
How long plastic takes to degrade
Due to the immensity and depth of the oceans, and a lack of awareness of climate change, until not too long ago, man thought he could throw anything he wanted into them without any major consequences. The reality is that marine plastic pollution continues to grow. Industrial waste, fertilizers and pesticides, nuclear waste and garbage invade our oceans in such an enormous way that even the time that has passed since man has walked the earth would not be enough to eliminate the waste we have dumped into the sea.
Since none of us want an ocean flooded with plastic, we need to start taking action. Using biodegradable products on beaches, not littering, traveling responsibly, reducing CO2 emissions and energy consumption, and supporting organizations that work for the oceans, among other things, can bring the ocean back to more of what it was.
What effects does plastic decomposition cause
The first global plastic count was done in 2017 and put the amount of plastic generated up to that point at 8.3 billion tons, which is equivalent to the weight of a million Eiffel Towers. Most of all this plastic is no longer used and lies in landfills, beaches or other natural enclaves more or less decomposed.
The rate at which plastic disintegrates depends on its composition and the environmental conditions to which it is exposed. Thus, for example, the decomposition of plastic that is heavily exposed to the sun and ocean currents will be much faster than that of a plastic object lying in the shade.
Another noteworthy aspect of the yogurt container found a few days ago by Mompó is that it is practically the same as those sold today, which shows that, despite all that has been said about the harmful effect of plastics on the biodiversity of the planet, things have not changed.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), with 1.8 trillion plastic fragments and a weight of 80,000 tons, is the largest accumulation of floating plastic waste in the sea.
How plastic decomposition affects the sea
The sea is an area heavily affected by the invasion of plastics. The floating particles of plastic resemble zooplankton, which causes this waste to end up in the stomachs of seabirds and marine animals, posing a great risk to marine life. Research has shown that this waste affects approximately 270 species worldwide.
It is vital to recycle and reduce the use of plastics in our daily lives. Do not ask for bags at the supermarket, try not to buy so many packaged products and buy in bulk, in short, change the way we consume this material and become aware of the environment.