IMPACT OF DISPOSABLE PRODUCTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Single-use plastic product(SUPPS)may epitomize convenience, but with the

damage they cause through production, distribution and letter, they are a major threat to
environment and human health.(How to reduce the impacts of single use plastic
products.(2021.November 23).Environment Programme.https://www.one.org) Plastic
hygienic waste’s being improperly disposed of in domestic toilets has significant
environmental and economic consequences. According to (Barrows et al. Marine
environment microfiber contamination: Global patterns and diversity of microparticle
origins.Environ.pollut,237,275-284),plastics degrade progressively into increasingly tiny
fragments, eventually forming plastic microparticles (microplastics) that enter river and
marine ecosystems, mainly through sewage effluents.To assess the impact of plastics
on marine ecosystems and human health, it is essential to study the relationship
between the ingestion of microplastics by species and the amount of plastics in the sea.
(Alomar et al.(2020)Exploring the relation between plastic ingestion in species and its
presence in seafloor bottoms. Mar. Pollut. Bull.160, 111641.) People are becoming
increasingly aware of their waste and impact on the environment. Therefore, reusable
products are becoming more common and accessible. For items like water wipes,
finding a reusable version isn’t exactly practical. Plus, most wipes can’t break down.
Instead, they clog sewers and shed plastic into oceans. For products like these, look out
for biodegradable brands. There are earth friendly versions on the market which are
easily home compostable. Looking for eco friendly baby wipes and other products is a
simple way to play your part in caring for our precious environment.(The Impacts Of
Disposable Products On The Environment.(2020,October 25).JAK
ORGANICS.https://www.jakorganics.com/blogs/the-impacts-of-disposable-products-on-
the-environment/the-impacts-of-disposable-products-on-the-environment.) The recycling
of plastic packaging worries society due to the growing use of these materials and the
environmental implications inherent to their non-rational post-consumer disposal. In this
work, it was observed that this concern is present since the great majority of participants
practice recycling.(Forlin & Faria(2002) Considerações sobre a reciclagem de
embalagens plásticas. Polímeros,12, 1–10.)Food packaging is absolutely essential and
modern food systems could not function properly without packaging. Todays’ food
chains are characterized by their vast geographical spread as well as by value chains at
the global level (Sundquist-Andberg & Akerman(2021)Sustainability governance and
contested plastic food packaging–An integrative review. J. Clean. Prod, 306, 12711).
The primary function of food packaging is to protect the product it contains, preserving
its safety and organoleptic characteristics. Among these, properties such as flavour,
colour and aroma are highly important for the consumer who will purchase and
consume the product. Additionally, the package serves as a barrier for microorganisms
and undesirable changes in temperature, light, and moisture, protecting the product
during transport and storage against microbial spoilage, chemical modifications, or
physical changes. However, they also have disadvantages, the most important ones
being their permeability to light, gases, vapours, and low-weight molecules (Marsh &
Bugusu(2007) Food packaging? Roles, materials, and environmental issues.J. Food
Sci., 72, R39–R55.). Plastics can be divided into two groups: thermoplastics and
thermosets. Thermoplastics do not suffer chemical changes in their production so that
they can be recycled. Contrarily, thermosets suffer chemical changes in their
production, which preclude a new merge; therefore, they are not recyclable .(Landim et
al.(2016) Sustentabilidade quanto às embalagens de alimentos no Brasil. Polímeros,26,
82–92.) In this way, it is expected that society will increasingly move towards
sustainable habits, questioning its actions and the impact they have on the environment.
To measure this evolution, this study and other related studies might be implemented as
a follow-up strategy (through longitudinal studies) to evaluate the real impact of the
legislation presently available to minimize the use of plastics. It might also be important
to replicate this study in other countries and compare results. (Moad g. & Walker T.R.
(2021,September 4).Plastic Food Packaging: Perceptions and Attitudes of Portuguese
Consumers about Environmental Impact and Recycling.MDPI.
https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179953.) We all know that plastic waste builds up, causing
major damage to the natural world. When we throw away plastic, it doesn’t just
disappear. These single-use products shed plastic fibres and particles, polluting land,
rivers and oceans. This hurts vulnerable wildlife in these areas.