ABSTRACT

Since 1950 to 2021, about 6.3 billion tons of plastic wastes have been produced not only in

our country but it has become a worldwide phenomenon especially after the pandemic hit, of

this entire proportion only about 9% to 12% of which have been recycled and incinerated,

respectively. Human population increase and consistent demand for plastics and plastic

products are responsible for continuous increase in the production of plastics, generation of

plastic waste and its accompanied environmental pollution. Varieties of plastics used in the

production of many consumable products including medical devices, food packaging and

water bottles contain toxic chemicals like phthalates, heavy metals. An estimated 8 million

tons of plastic is yearly released into the ocean, leading to degradation of marine habitat

which eventually affects aquatic organisms. Long term usage and exposure of plastics and

plastic products to high temperature can lead to leaching of toxic chemical constituents into

food, drinks and water. Indiscriminate disposal of plastics on land and open-air burning can

lead to the release of toxic chemicals into the air causing public health hazards. This report

explains the global challenge and awareness of the result that is being caused by this huge

amount of plastic waste and lack of its proper management. It also suggests some proper way

that might be able to act as a solution for this problem and the inter connection between

plastic pollution, waste management and climate change.

 LITERATURE REVIEW

Plastic waste is silent threat to the environment and their disposal is a serious issue for waste

managers. Now a day society does not have any alternative to plastic products like plastic bags,

plastic bottles, and plastic sheets etc. Despite all efforts made to limit its use but unfortunately its

utility is increasing day by day. To circumvent this issue many efforts were made in the past to reuse

the plastic waste, but no significant results were achieved. On contrary concrete being the widely

used construction material is facing problem due to unavailability of construction material (Cement,

sand and coarse aggregate). Various attempts were made through experimentation to check the

feasibility of plastic waste to be use partially in concrete with respect to various properties of

strength, workability, durability, and ductility of concrete. This paper includes review of various

studies conducted on utility of waste plastic material used in the concrete. Moreover, this paper will

draw our focus toward the impingement on the various properties of concrete when partially

replacing with waste plastic.

 INTRODUCTION

Plastics are made up of synthetic polymers the exact amount of which varies from product to

product. The more the existence of polymer the more deadly the product, rather the waste

formed from it because plastic products don’t degenerate quickly or at times not in many

years. So, it creates quite a waste and establishes itself as an obstacle to perfect climate or

environment. Although, plastic was initially assumed to be harmless and inert, however,

many years of plastic disposal into the environment has led to diverse associated problems.

Environmental pollution by plastic wastes is now recognized widely to be a major

environmental burden. In many instances, sheeting and packaging plastics are disposed of

after usage, however, because of their durability, such plastics are located everywhere and

persistent in the environment. Research on the monitoring and impacts of plastic wastes is

still at the infancy stage, but thus far, the reports are worrisome. In human occupational and

residential environment, plastics made of petrol-based polymer are present in high quantity.

Globally, plastic production was estimated to be 380 million tons in 2020. Since 1950 to

2021, plastics of about 6.3 billion tons have been produced worldwide, 9% and 12% of which

have been recycled and incinerated, respectively. Plastics of about 5 million tons are yearly

consumed in UK alone, with only about one-quarter recycled, and the rest landfilled. It has

been suggested by researchers that by 2050, oceans might contain more plastics than fish in

terms of weight. Yearly, approximately 500 billion plastic bags are used out of which an

estimated 13 million tons ends up in the ocean, killing approximately 100,000 marine lives.
 PLASTIC WASTE EFFECTS ON ENVIRONMENT

Distribution of plastic waste is associated with human dense populations. A huge burst of

human population has led to increased demands for plastic products. Indiscriminate disposal

of wastes from plastic products can lead to environmental pollution which is evident in

several ways including environmental natural beauty deterioration ,entanglement and death of

aquatic organisms , sewage system blockage in towns and cities especially in developing

countries, resulting in creating conducive environment for breeding mosquitoes and other

disease causing vectors and production of foul smells, reduction in water percolation and

normal agricultural soils aeration thus causing reduced productivity in such lands. Plastic

products don’t degenerate like other product so when it stays on for quite some time it

becomes a huge factor in case of environmental durability. Small things make a huge

difference so if we put away a small portion of plastic product thinking it won’t make any

difference next time think it like what if many people are thinking exactly the same. We can’t

even imagine the catastrophic effect it would bring to our environment. Some of the

environmental effect formulated by plastic waste is given below:

LAND POLLUTION

Occupational and also the residential environment of human carries a huge portion of plastic

products. Pollution formulated by plastics and plastic products can damage and contaminate

any environment and can be subsequently transferred to the aquatic region as well. There is a

lack of data on the volume of plastic wastes that resides on land in comparison to the huge

data that provides the volume of plastic waste exist in marine habitat, despite the fact that

about 80% of plastic waste present at sea originates from land-related sources. Dumping of

plastics on land or landfilling plastics leads to abiotic and biotic degradation of the plastics,
where plastic additives such as stabilizers, harmful colorant moieties, plasticizers and heavy

metals can leach and eventually percolate into various aspects of the environment, thereby

causing soil and water contamination. Reports have shown that microplastics as well as

synthetic polymer fibers are still detectable five years after they have been applied to sewage

sludge and soils. Chlorinated plastics are capable of leaching out toxic chemicals into the soil

and subsequently seep into the underground water or surrounding aquatic system thereby

polluting the ecosystem. Catastrophic end is a result of this kind of waste. Plastic is regularly

used but if we use it for daily necessity, we can at least dispose it with good management.

WATER POLLUTION

Nearly 165 million tons of plastic wastes were estimated to be present in the oceans of the

world in 2016, while an average of 8 million tons of plastics are released into the ocean on a

yearly basis, with about 5 trillion plastic pieces afloat on the ocean. Plastic products are

regularly being advertised as the most harmful elements for the marine habitat. Eco-system is

quite important for any animal to co-exist in the planet earth. If we completely disregard the

other population and carry on the with the plastic wastes as we do the day is not far away

when we will face massive consequences. Typically, plastics in the oceans can degrade

within a year but not completely. During this plastic degradation process, toxic chemicals can

be released into the water causing it to pollute. Wastes found in the oceans are made up of

approximately 80% plastics. Plastic debris which are floating on the ocean can be rapidly

colonized by sea organisms and due to persistence on the ocean surface for a long period of

time, this may aid the movement of 'alien' or non-native species. Contaminants from

microplastics are bioavailable for many marine lives because of their presence in benthic and

pelagic ecosystems and their small sizes. Within the marine ecosystem, plastics have been
reported to concentrate and sorb contaminants present in the seawater from different other

sources. More than 260 species of marine organisms such as turtles, invertebrates, seabirds,

fish and mammals ingested or are entangled in or with plastic debris, leading to reduced

movement, feeding, reproductive output, ulcers, lacerations and eventual death.

AIR POLLUTION

Carbon dioxide and methane are released into the air when plastic wastes which were

landfilled finally decompose. During the decomposition of solid waste in landfills in 2015, an

estimated 20 million tons CO2 was released into the atmosphere. CO2 is also released into the

atmosphere during the burning of plastics and plastic products, and this CO 2 is capable of

trapping radiant heat and hinder it from escaping from the earth causing global warming. This

is called the greenhouse effect. When the earth is unable to deteriorate the unnecessary

temperature, the environment becomes humid and climate changes. Air pollution is one of the

major environmental threats to public health, and it is responsible for more than 6 million

deaths associated with environmental pollution. Open burning of plastics and plastic products

releases pollutants such as heavy metals, dioxins, PCBs and furans which when inhaled can

cause health risks especially respiratory disorders. The role of plastics in air pollution in the

developing and poor countries of the world cannot be overemphasized, and the impact on the

future generations may be massive. We can already see some of the results in the south Asian

region especially when covid hit massively. Air is an important element of the environment

and it’s needed to keep a fresh for our own sake.

EFFECTS OF PLASTIC WASTES AMONG ANIMALS

Food supplies for human consumption can be adversely affected if animals are the ones

constantly getting poisoned by toxic constituents from wastes of plastics and plastic products.

Numerous reports of threat to survival of large marine mammals have been documented due

to large amount of plastic wastes entering the world oceans. Animals are continuously being

exposed to plastic wastes majorly through ingestion and entanglement. However, ingestion is

more frequent than entanglement. Most animals in the oceans thinks of plastic wastes as food,

thereby ingesting them. Furthermore, entanglement in plastic products like nets can cause

harm, damage and even death in marine animals. Research shows more than 260 different

species of vertebrate and invertebrate animals ingest plastics or are entangled by plastic or

plastic products, with more than 400,000 deaths of marine mammals. Marine pollution by

plastic wastes majorly affects sea turtles and other species whose main food are jelly fishes

because they often confuse discarded plastic bags for jelly fish. A similar situation is

common in sea birds which can confuse microplastics for cuttlefish or with fishes, which can

mistake plastic wastes for their natural prey. Ingestion of plastic wastes is capable of causing

obstruction and physical damage to bird's digestive system, reduce the digestive ability of the

system leading to starvation, malnutrition and eventually, death. Many birds, turtles, fishes,

seals and other marine animals have died by drowning or suffocation as a result of

entanglement in plastic debris. Entanglement has been observed to cause health risks in

estimated 243 species of marine lives, often ending in fatalities. Animal entanglement by

plastic debris also contributes to death from predators, as the animals are unable to untangle

themselves and escape. Coral reefs have been damaged by dragging nets and other plastic

products along sea beds. Often times, discarded fishing nets also called "ghost nets" trap

marine animals, leading to starvation and death.

 SURVEY RESULTS

A survey was conducted amongst students and the group that represents the most dominant
generation of the world of what they think of this catastrophic event caused by merely plastic
wastes. The survey questionnaires represented some major points of the environmental
pollution due to this massive waste. The answers from various people are then transferred and
formulated in pie charts. Now the pie charts show the overall situation and mind set of
various people.

The survey was attended by a total of 31 people both man and woman. Of them 61.3%

consisted of male whereas the rest were female.

Many of the respondents use plastic products one or three times daily. There are a good

portion of people who use it even four-six times daily and the rest les portions of about 12%

uses plastic products seven to more times per day.

When asked about the possible reasons for this rise of plastic products respondents mostly

answered the lack of laws and awareness as one of the major reasons of plastic products

usage. Whereas the secondary portion agreed to the lack of education as one of the reasons

for our massive mismanagement of plastic wastes. A few portions agreed upon 3 major

criteria for the possible reason being lack of education, awareness and laws.

When asked whether the effect formulated from this plastic product is serious or not many

were found in a dilemma and a good portion were still unaware of the fact how this

mismanagement of plastic products can be catastrophic for the whole eco-system of planet
earth. Enough portion of people are still in denial which is very concerning. As if we people

don’t get the most out of understanding it who would?

When it came to solving the whole scenario, respondents were asked if an individual

approach is more effective than a group approach or if both needed to go hand in hand in this

case. Maximum people agreed upon the fact that both individual and group initiatives are

needed for a stronger shield against this plastic waste reduction. More or less everyone

agreed on the fact that this volume of waste should be reduced if we need a good live-able

environment.

When it came to individual approach it is very important that plastic products are not uses
from first so that the problem can be solved from the root level. When asked if they try to
avoid plastic products more often thankfully the maximum portion is not interested or they at
least they try to avoid the whole plastic fiasco.

Respondents were somewhat on the same line when it came to climate change problems due
to this. Almost all of them agreed that the threat is serious for the mismanagement of plastic
issues. Plastic products and waste create serious havoc on the marine habitat, if we tend to
survive this catastrophe we need to think about the whole eco-system as the most dominant
species.

PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING

In reducing toxic effects of plastic wastes on the environment and public health, waste

management plays a major role. For global reduction of plastic litters and ocean pollution,

there is need for improvement in proper plastic waste collection, treatment and disposal.

Inadequate management of landfills will make way for harmful chemicals in plastic wastes to

leach into the environment, polluting the soil, air and underground water.

Proper wastewater management will prevent microplastics from entering the environment

from the landfills. Most treated wastewaters are discharged into rivers or oceans, therefore,

there is need for a ban such as Annex V to the International Convention for Prevention of
Pollution from Ship (MARPOL) agreement, which will prevent plastic waste disposal into

the sea.

CONCLUSION

Researches on worldwide production of plastics and the accompanied environmental

pollution have shown that plastic wastes have constituted a major environmental issue. The

effect of plastic wastes on marine organisms, humans and the environment at large are of

public concern, and calls for the need to salvage the ecosystems and lives therein. Despite the

fact that plastics are very useful in everyday life, the toxic chemicals used in the production

need to be thoroughly monitored so as to ensure environmental and health safety. Reducing

community's exposure to toxicants from plastic wastes will increase the chances of having a

clean environment and healthy society. There is a urgent need for government agencies and

health authorities to enact and enforce environmental laws that will monitor production,

usage and disposal of plastics. In addition, some harmful chemical constituents used in the

production of plastics (e.g. phthalates, BPA) should be banned in consumer goods and in

plastic products that are in direct contact with food, beverages and children.
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 APPENDIX- SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES

Q1. How often do you use plastic products daily?

- One to three times
- Four to six times
- Seven to nine times
- More than 9 times

Q2. On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, how frequently each
week do you use plastic products?
- Not frequent
- Somewhat frequent
- Quite frequent
- Frequent
- Very frequent

Q3. What are the reasons for the increase in plastic pollution?
- Lack of education
- Lack of awareness
- Lack of laws
- Lack of laws and awareness
- Lack of education and awareness

Q4 On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, how serious is the
effect of plastic pollution on our environment?
- Not serious
- Somewhat serious
- Quite serious
- Serious
- Very serious

Q5 On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, in your opinion how
well does society understand the problems of plastic pollution
- Society does not understand the problems of plastic pollution
- Society somewhat understand the problems of plastic pollution
- Society understands the problems of plastic pollution
- Society understand well the problems of plastic pollution
- Society very well understands the problems of plastic pollution

Q6 Do you think individual initiatives/steps can help to reduce the plastic pollution problem?
- Individual initiatives are the solution
- Group initiatives is the solution
- The solution is a mixture of individual initiatives and group initiatives
Q7 On a scale of 1 to 5, with the 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, how strict should
the laws be to eliminate the problem of plastic pollution (it is important to consider that the
plastic industry is a significant contributor to employment).
- Laws should not be very strict
- Laws should not be strict
- Laws should not be somewhat strict
- Laws should be strict
- Laws should be very strict

Q8 Do you try to avoid products which contains plastic materials or plastic packaging?
- Yes
- No
- Sometimes

Q9 Have you ever taken part in any awareness campaign/activity which aimed to promote
social awareness regarding the plastic pollution problem?
- Yes
- No

Q10 On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, how well do you
think awareness campaigns work in reducing plastic use?
- Awareness campaigns does not work at all to reduce plastic use
- Awareness campaigns somewhat works to reduce plastic use
- Awareness campaigns may work to reduce plastic use
- Awareness campaigns work to reduce plastic use
- Awareness campaigns works very well to reduce plastic use

Q11 Do you think plastic pollution problem can be solved through increased investment in
waste management systems?
- Increased investment is the solution
- Increased investment is not the solution
- Increased investment may be the solution

Q12 How serious is the threat of climate change to our society?

- I do not understand the threat of climate change
- The threat is not serious
- The threat is somewhat serious
- The threat is serious

Q13 Do you think steps taken to decrease plastic pollution will help to reduce climate
change?
- Climate change will be reduced
- Climate change will not be reduced
- Climate change will be somewhat reduced
- Climate change reduction depends on other factors