Conclusion

Plastics are inexpensive, lightweight, strong, durable, corrosion-resistant materials, with high
thermal and electrical insulation properties. The diversity of polymers and the versatility of their
properties are used to make a vast array of products that bring medical and technological advances,
energy savings and numerous other societal benefits (Andrady & Neal 2009). Thus, almost all aspects of
daily life involve plastics, in transport, telecommunications, clothing, footwear and as packaging
materials that facilitate the transport of a wide range of food, drink and other goods. There is
considerable potential for new applications of plastics that will bring benefits in the future, for example
as novel medical applications, in the generation of renewable energy and by reducing energy used in
transport (Andrady & Neal 2009). Consequently, the production of plastics has increased substantially
over the last 60 years from around 0.5 million tons in 1950 to over 260 million tons today. But usage of
plastic affects many people, not only the consumers but it also affects the environment and animals. We
are greatly affected by plastics because we are disposing them improperly and because we are neglect
of the consequences of using it.

It was shown in this study that in region 12, out of 107 respondents, 95.3% are using plastic
products because of the convenience plastics offer, however, led to a throw-away culture that reveals
the material’s dark side. This data calls for the consumers that usage of too many plastics will soon be
accumulated and will be piled up and create more pollution, which is harmful to the environment. In this
study, Plastic Pollution in SOCCSKSARGEN shows a significant data to be taken an action to minimize the
usage to save the environment on the worse effect it might bring to the whole humanity.

According to Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, the
establishment and maintenance of an open dump are strictly prohibited nor any practice or disposal of
solid waste by any person, including LGUs which constitutes the use of open dumps for solid wastes is
not allowed (Mayuga, 2019). This shows a great responsibility to the community on their solid waste
management, that each member of the society must be aware and be responsible of their own waste
and thus, never use open dumps to dispose their wastes. In this study, SOCCSKARGEN has deviated this
mandate since it was clearly shown in the survey that 45.8% disposed their plastics by open dumping.
This data is an eye opener to everyone despite the existence of the mandate, people in the said region
continues to deviate.
 Furthermore, accumulation of plastic waste in the environment and the conjoined
consequences are largely avoidable. Immediate decrease in the quantity of waste entering natural
environments, as opposed to landfill, could be pulled off by better waste disposal and material handling.
Perhaps increasing the capacity to recycle will help to reverse this trend such that we start to regard
end-of-life materials as valuable feedstocks for new production rather than waste. To achieve this will
require better education, engagement, enforcement, and recycling capacity.

Andrady A. L., Neal M. A.2009Applications and societal benefits of plastics. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 364,
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