Introduction
With the omnipresence of industrialization, the world in its contemporary state has encountered an array of global issues, one of the most significant being environmental pollution. Indeed, modern societies in both developed and developing countries generate massive volumes of waste that do not dissolve and pollute the environment. It is particularly caused by plastic pollution due to the improper waste management of plastic and its over-consumerism. This paper investigates the causes of environmental plastic pollution, the strategies for the mitigation of its adverse impact, and the response of the USA to the issue. It is argued that the global community, including the USA, does not do enough to mitigate the plastic crisis worldwide.
Causes of Environmental Plastic Pollution
The main cause of the environmental pollution problem is the excessive consumption of plastic in modern societies. Indeed, the affordability, cost-effectiveness, durability, and lightness of this material make it an omnipresent attribute of packaging, single-use objects, and other products. According to Alabi et al., plastic is used “in different applications ranging from water bottles, clothing, food packaging, medical supplies, electronic goods, construction materials,” and others (1). In such a manner, the generation of large volumes of waste contributes to environmental pollution, disrupting the functioning and well-being of ecosystems in the long-term perspective. As stated by Alabi et al., “approximately 500 billion plastic bags are used, out of which an estimated 13 million tonnes ends up in the ocean, killing approximately 100,000 marine lives” (2). As a result, the environment at large, and oceans, in particular, are polluted by plastic, leading species to extinction and disrupting the functionality of ecosystems. Therefore, it is important to solve this problem at a global level.
Strategies to Mitigate the Problem
Given the scale of the issue and its omnipresence on a global scale, different approaches have been cultivated by governments to minimize the harm of plastic waste and ultimately eliminate the problem. Among the mitigation strategies, there is the promotion of zero-waste business projects, ban-on-plastic policies, and the use of chemical innovations to reduce plastic waste emissions (Borrelleet al. 1515-1516). Moreover, sustainability-directed business ideas and governmental programs involve the responsibility of organizations to minimize environmental pollution and plastic waste by committing to governmentally-supported green initiatives (Mukherjee et al. 1-2). Thus, the management of plastic waste and the reduction of its production are the main pathways toward the elimination of the issue.
United States’ Response and its Impact on the Nation and Local Communities
Like many other developed countries, the USA is actively involved in the mitigation of environmental plastic pollution mitigation. It is validated by the large volumes of waste generated by the USA. Indeed, the US waste stream contains “paper products and cardboard as the most significant percentage (25.9%) followed by food waste (15.1%), yard waste (13.2%), plastics (13.1%), wood (6.2%),” and other materials (Mukherjee et al. 6). Therefore, at the national level, the USA initiates sustainability projects and waste-reduction policies to minimize plastic pollution by US-based industries (Mukherjee et al. 7-8). Moreover, one of the beneficial initiatives is the waste-to-energy policy which stimulates businesses to use waste as a source of alternative energy. At the local level, governmental initiatives necessitate individuals to reduce the level of plastic use by refusing single-use plastic packaging, banning plastic bags, and transitioning to alternative sustainable multiple-use materials (Borrelleet al. 1515). Nonetheless, the issue persists and requires continuous and stricter measures to ensure the reduction in plastic waste.
Conclusion
In summation, global environmental pollution is a tentative issue that is most prominently characterized by mismanagement and the over-generation of plastic waste. The cause of the problem is in the excessive consumption of plastic as an affordable and durable material used by multiple industries. The implemented strategies range from sustainability initiatives for businesses to plastic bans and alternative materials used by individuals. However, these measures require a more intensive implementation to make a more significant change in the realm of environmental protection.
Works Cited
Alabi, Okunola A., et al. “Public and Environmental Health Effects of Plastic Wastes Disposal: A Review.” Journal of Toxicology and Risk Assessment, vol. 5, no. 21, 2019, pp. 1-13.
Borrelle, Stephanie B., et al. “Predicted Growth in Plastic Waste Exceeds Efforts to Mitigate Plastic Pollution.” Science, vol. 369, no. 6510, 2020, pp. 1515-1518.
Mukherjee, C., et al. “A Review on Municipal Solid Waste-to-Energy Trends in the USA.” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 119, 2020, pp. 1-48.