RESEARCH
Why do people use plastic?
Maria
The main reason people use plastic is because it’s much cheaper than any other materials like glass and metal. Plastic also keeps fresh food longer than usual. It also keeps us safe, for example, helmets are made out of plastic. When plastic is hard, that allows items that are fragile to not break. The plastic in carpets, pillows and sheets keeps us comfortable. Plastic allow us to be able to communicate with people.
Why do companies still use plastic?
Miguel
Companies use plastic because it is cheaper and customers prefer it, making clients come back to the store. Plastic also has a better protection on the product in case it falls from a bag also making it travel long distances making the product go to other companies that are far away. If a product is wrapped in plastic it can live more of what it is expected making companies not waste loads of money in new products.
How does plastic affect the environment?
Joseph
Plastic pollution has a big effect on the environment. Humans are producing 300,000,000 tons of plastic in a year. We are producing so much plastic that now there are 5 big plastic islands in the sea, which are called the 5 Great Garbage Patches. The biggest one of them is twice the size of Texas. Plastic is made out of crude oil which has chemicals that make it not biodegradable that is why it is long lasting. Plastic has a large impact on our environment and it is up to us to make a change.
How can humans reduce the use of plastic?
Miranda
People have to stop using plastic. We should all use bags made from cloth and have them in your house to always bring them to the supermarket and so we don’t use plastic bags. People could also use loose tea instead than being in a bag. Another big environmental problem we have is that 14% of plastic packaging is making its way to recycling plants, only 9% of plastic packaging is actually being recycled and 40% of plastic packaging end up in landfills.
What does plastic do to animals and their habitats?
Miranda
Millions of animals get killed every year because of plastic, from birds to fish and a lot more. Almost 700 species are known to have been affected by plastic. A lot of marine animals get strangled in the ocean because of fishing gears that were abandoned. Humans have found in over 100 marine species including shrimp, fishes and a lot more with micro plastics inside of them. Plastic also impacts land animals and a lot of land animals have died because of plastic pollution it’s not only in the ocean.
How can we raise awareness?
Beatriz
To raise awareness our plan is to explain to people how plastic is affecting not only the environment and animals but also us. We also want to write a song about how plastic is affecting us. We would also like to put signs and posters up made by children on places where everyone can see. Another thing we can do is contact supermarkets and tell them what eco-friendly materials they can use instead of plastic. People need to know that plastic is a big problem and it ends up in our food chain for several reasons. The plastics that enter in our food chain are microplastics and are very unhealthy for you.