PLASTIC POLLUTION E-BOOK

PLASTIC
POLLUTION

CONTENT

➢Group Member 1
➢What Is Plastic Pollution? 2-3
➢What Are The Impact Of 4-5

Plastic Pollution? 6-7
➢ What Are The Causes Of
8-9
Plastic Pollution?
➢ How To Prevent Plastic 10
11-13
Pollution?
➢ Conclusion
➢ Reference

GROUP MEMBER

1. AMIR SYAMIN BIN HISHAMUDDIN (E19A0109)
2. SONIYA A/P RAMESH KUMAR (E19A0255)
3. THIVYASHINA A/P GANESH (E20G0629)
4. IZZAT MUQRI BIN SHAMSUL AZHAR (E91A0012)
5. NUR SHAHIRAH BT SHUKRI (E19B0281)
6. NESHALINI A/P MUNIANDY (E19A0184)
7. NURUL IZZAH ATIRAH BT AB AZIZ (E19A0230)
8. SATHISWARAN A/L N
MARTHAVEERAN (E19A0243)
9. MUHAMMAD AMMAR BIN ANUAR (E19A0160)
10. NUR AFIFAH NASUHA BINTI
MOHD NOR (E19A0197)
11. AHMAD AIMAN SHAHRIL BIN
AZHALIN SAM (E19A0104)
12. MARDIYYAH BINTI ABDUL
HAMED (E19A0148)

1

WHAT IS PLASTIC POLLUTION?

Plastic pollution is the accumulation of synthetic plastic items
in the environment to the point where they pose a threat to
wildlife and their habitats, as well as human population. Plastic
on the other hand have been discovered to be chronic
pollutants of various environmental niches by the end of the
twentieth century, from Mount Everest to the ocean’s depths.
Plastic have gained increased attention as a large-scale
pollution, whether they are mistaken for food by animals and
flood low-lying areas by clogging drainage systems.

Figure 1(A)

Indeed, landscapes littered by plastic packaging have
become common in many parts of the world. Illegal
dumping of plastic and overflowing of containment
structures also play a role. Despite the fact that
population centres generate the most litter, studies
from throughout the world have found no single country
or demographic group to be most guilty.

2

Figure 1(B)

Moreover, plastic pollution has become one of most pressing
environmental issues, as rapidly increasing production of
disposable plastic production overwhelms the world’s ability to
deal with them. It can take hundreds or even thousands of years
for plastic to break down so the environmental damage is long-
lasting. Such as, plastic items take up 1000 years to decompose
in landfills but plastic bags we use in our everyday life take 10
to 20 years to decompose while plastic bottles take 450 years.

Figure 1(C) 3

WHAT ARE THE IMPACT OF PLASTIC
POLLUTION?

There are many negative impacts when this plastic
contamination occurs, it be leading to long-term issues for
plants, animals, and people. Some of the major long-term
effects of plastic pollution are:
Negative Effects On Human Health

Figure 2(A)

Firstly, as a human, we must eat to grow but we eat plastic
contaminated seafood. This is because BPA’s present in many plastic
objects that come in direct contract with food is metabolized in the
liver to form Bisphenol A, remains in our body through our urine. The
impact also can be receiving through the plastic bottle that we drink.
WHO research said that only 17 were free of plastic out of 259 of
microplastic test. As we know if we eat nano plastic it will give bad
effect such as hormone-altering chemicals. That issue will be building
blocks of plastics can be hormone-altering chemicals, and plastic
contain additives that we know little about in terms of implications for
human health.

4

Negative Impact On Animals

Figure 2(B)

After that, the plastic pollutions caused by human activities
such as throwing plastic, plastic bottle and other will end up
giving up bad effect to the aquatic life in the ocean especially
their health. It will be estimated that up to 13 million metric
tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year and the type of
animals that often died because of these activities are fish, sea
turtles, seabirds and other.
Negative Impact on Environment

Figure 2(C)

Next, the major impact of plastic bags on the environment is that it 5
takes many years to for them to decompose. Besides, toxic substances
are released into the soil when plastic bags perish under sunlight and
if they are burned, it will release toxic substances into the air and
causing air pollution. Lastly, the plastic also will release emit
dangerous methane and carbon dioxide that will give bad effects to
the ozone layer.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF
PLASTIC POLLUTION?

The Food Industry Which Packs Everything On
Plastic

Figure 3(A)

About one-third of the plastic that pollutes our lands and oceans
is from food packaging. Usually they take packaged food almost
anywhere even to the top of a mountain or on the beach.
Therefore, this type of plastic trash can end up even in the most
unpopular places and not just in urban areas. However, when
plastic is ingested by animals and birds, it cannot be crushed and
removed, unlike other organic matter and plastic can also block
the animal’s digestive system causing death.

Plastic Straws And Stirrers.

Another small plastic item that has a big impact
on the environment is straws and mixers. Much
like bottle caps and small plastic wrappers, these
items are easily digested by marine animals and
birds. The real danger of plastic straw is that it is
less likely to be recycled because of its structure.
A large number of these plastic products may end
up in a turtle’s nose or in a fish’s stomach.

Figure 3(B) 6

Plain Old Garbage.

Figure 3(C)

The next source of plastic pollution is old garbage. Plastic is
everywhere, even on items like that that you might not expect.
For example, milk cartons are lined with plastic, water bottles
are distributed everywhere, and some products may contain
small plastic beads. When one of these items is discarded or
washed in the sink, these toxic contaminants tend to enter the
environment and are harmful.

The Disposal Of Plastic And Trash.

Figure 3(D)

Burning plastic is highly toxic and can cause dangerous
atmospheric conditions and deadly diseases. Even recycling
does not reduce plastic, because it basically uses existing
plastic, even in a new form. The process of recycling plastic
can also cause plastic irritants to be released in a number of
ways.

7

HOW TO PREVENT PLASTIC POLLUTION

Avoid Disposable Plastics Such As Drinking Straws

Figure 4(A)

We know plastic straws can be reused. But, when there are a
lot of straw from shops or restaurants, will cause plastic
contamination. If we reduce the use of straw, the environment
will be free from plastic pollution. There are suitable
alternatives and the need to have it as a straw replacement is
that the user can use a glass metal straw and bamboo straw that
the user can carry and use it repeatedly.

Consumers Should Bring Cloth Bags Or Paper Bags
When Going Shopping.

Figure 4(B)

We definitely buy items to meet the needs of the kitchen. 8
Therefore, we must use reusable bags i.e. cloth and weave.
Traders should also use the alternative of converting plastic
bags into cloth bags or paper bags to save the earth. There are
also some malls that do not use plastic on certain days.
Therefore, consumers should bring their own disposable cloth
bags and be able to use them every time they shop.

Avoid Reusing Plastic Water Bottles

For the purpose of water storage, it is better for
consumers to buy more suitable beverage bottles.
Consumers should use BPA-free bottles for drinking water
storage. Discard all plastic bottles that have been used
repeatedly because the plastic bottles are for disposable
purposes only. This can prevent human health from being
affected and can also protect the environment.

Replace Plastic Container To Glass Or Steel
Container

Figure 4(C) Figure 4(D)

Consumers should change their routine by choosing glass or
stainless steel containers as Tupperware to prevent human
health risks and prevent the risk of environmental pollution
as plastic containers can release harmful substances.

Avoid Plastic Packaging.

Consumers need to bring their own containers if they
want to buy food in stores or restaurants instead of
having to use plastic packaging that can bring problems to
the environment and also to human health. Consumers
also need to cook at home because it is safer than using
plastic food packaging in a restaurant.

9

CONCLUSION

Plastic pollution has become a major environmental
problem all over the world. Due to it’s properties of being
cheap and easily mass produced as well as our over-
dependence on the material itself in almost every aspect of
our daily life, we have turned a blind eye over it’s disastrous
effects to our planet. It has severely affected our natural
habitats, marine ecosystems such as rivers, lakes and oceans
and has even affected human health by indirectly infiltrating
our food and drinks as the plastic wastes dumped into the sea
is consumed by aquatic animals as micro-plastics in which
those same animals are fished and eaten by us humans.

Plastic takes tens to hundreds of years to decompose and
it’s quantity is produced faster than it can be disposed off.
Not to mention, our general inability or willingness to reuse
or recycle plastic products makes it even challenging to
make a difference in reducing the negative impact of plastic
pollution. Even in the urban areas and cities, plastic
pollution has almost become a part of our lifestyle.
Nevertheless, it has brought about much debate, research and
discussions throughout the years on a variety of ways to
overcome and prevent plastic pollution from happening.
Among these solutions is reducing or avoiding plastic
products and use more eco-friendly alternatives. There have
been a significant progress made in tackling the issue and
while it will take a long time to fully solve it, there is still
hope for a more sustainable future where our environment is
free from plastic pollution.

10

REFERENCE

1. Charles Moore, (2021) Plastic Pollution retrieved
from https://www.britannica.com/science/light-
pollution

2. Sarah Engler, (2016) 10 Ways to Reduce Plastic

Pollution retrieved from

https://www.nrdc.org/stories/10-ways-reduce-

plastic-pollution

3. Chris Simons, (2018) 14 tips to prevent plastic
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4. Forbes, (2021) What is Plastic Pollution? retrieved

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6. Anonymous, (2021) Top 5 Causes Of Plastic

Pollution retrieved from

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7. Figure 1(A), Antoine Giret, (2019, October 28)

Plastic Pollution retrieved from

https://unsplash.com/photos/7_TSzqJms4w

11

8. Figure 1(B), Chen, H.L., Nath, T.K., Chong, S. et
al. The plastic waste problem in Malaysia: management,
recycling and disposal of local and global plastic
waste. SN Appl. Sci. 3, 437 (2021).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04234-y

9. Figure 1(C), Anonymous, (2017, December 10) Seven
Charts That Explain The Plastic Pollution Problem
retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/science-
environment-42264788

10. Figure 2(A), Häggström, Mikael (2014). "Medical
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11. Figure 2(B), Rich Carey (2021, March 31) Plastic
Pollution Problem: Sea Turtle Eats Plastic Bottle
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photo/plastic-pollution-problem-sea-turtle-eats-
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12. Figure 2(C), Anonymous, (2017, August 18) Plastic

Waste: Environmental Effects of Plastic Pollution

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Difference) retrieved from

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3/the-problem-of-plastic-straws-and-how-each-of-us- 12

can-make-a-difference

15. Figure 3(C), Manoj Sharma, (2019, August 14) BBMP
emptying old landfill by passing tender retrieved from
https://www.deccanherald.com/city/bbmp-emptying-old-
landfill-bypassing-tender-754192.html

16. Figure 3(D), Puttachat Kumkrong, (2019, December
19) waste plastic bottles and other types of plastic waste
at the Thilafushi waste disposal site retrieved from
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bottles-and-other-types-of-plastic-waste-at-the-thilafushi-
waste-gm1193094754-339229137

17. Figure 4(A), Anonymous, (2017) Set of 4 Stainless Steel

Straw retrieved from

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straw/

18. Figure 4(B), Anonymous, (2020, July 21) The
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19. Figure 4(C), Anonymous, (2021) Tramontina 1.8 L Exata
stainless steel thermal beverage dispenser with glass
container retrieved from
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tramontina-18-l-exata-stainless-steel-thermal-beverage-
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20. Figure 4(D), Anonymous, (2021) Rectangular Airtight
Lunch Box Stainless Steel Container Set Food Container
with Lid retrieved from https://www.ec21.com/product-
details/Rectangular-Airtight-Lunch-Box-Stainless--
10987021.html

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