Plastic waste facts for kids

Plastic waste is simply plastic stuff that hasn't been recycled the right way. Imagine plastic bags, bottles, and toys that end up where they shouldn't be. Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste float into our planet's oceans. Experts think this amount could double by 2030 if we don't do something!

Thin plastic items, like plastic bags, can easily be blown away by the wind. This can cause big problems on land, like blocking drains. It also pollutes the sea, harming ocean animals. For example, some countries stopped using plastic drinking straws after a sad video showed a turtle with a straw stuck in its nose. Now, many people use paper straws instead, which break down more easily in seawater.

What is Plastic Waste?

Plastic waste is any plastic item that is thrown away and not handled correctly. This includes things like plastic bottles, food wrappers, and shopping bags. When these items are not recycled or disposed of properly, they become waste. This waste can then harm our environment.

Why is Plastic Waste a Problem?

Plastic is a very strong material. It can last for hundreds of years without breaking down. This means that every piece of plastic ever made is still somewhere on Earth! When plastic waste builds up, it causes many issues:

• Pollution: It makes our land, rivers, and oceans dirty.
• Harm to Animals: Animals can get tangled in plastic or mistake it for food. This can make them sick or even kill them.
• Blocked Drains: Plastic bags and other waste can block water pipes and drains. This can lead to flooding in towns and cities.

How Plastic Waste Harms Our Planet

Plastic waste affects many parts of our world. It doesn't just look bad; it causes real damage to nature and living things.

Oceans and Marine Life

A huge amount of plastic waste ends up in our oceans. This is a big problem for marine animals.

• Eating Plastic: Sea turtles, birds, and fish often mistake plastic pieces for food. This fills their stomachs, making them feel full without getting any nutrients.
• Getting Trapped: Animals can get caught in larger plastic items like fishing nets or plastic rings. This can stop them from swimming, hunting, or even breathing.
• Microplastics: Over time, larger plastic items break down into tiny pieces called microplastics. These tiny bits are everywhere in the ocean. They can be eaten by even the smallest sea creatures.

Land and Freshwater

Plastic waste also harms our land and freshwater sources like rivers and lakes.

• Soil Pollution: When plastic breaks down in soil, it can release harmful chemicals. These chemicals can hurt plants and animals living in the soil.
• Waterways: Rivers carry plastic waste from land out to the ocean. This pollutes the rivers themselves, affecting fish and other creatures that live there.
• Visual Pollution: Piles of plastic waste make our beautiful natural places look ugly.

What Can We Do About Plastic Waste?

Dealing with plastic waste is a big challenge, but everyone can help! We can all make choices that reduce the amount of plastic we use and throw away.

The 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

These three words are super important for fighting plastic waste:

• Reduce: Try to use less plastic in the first place. For example, choose products with less packaging.
• Reuse: Find new ways to use plastic items instead of throwing them away. You can use a plastic bottle as a water bottle again and again.
• Recycle: Make sure you put plastic items in the correct recycling bins. This helps them be turned into new products.

Other Actions You Can Take

• Carry Reusable Bags: When you go shopping, bring your own cloth bags instead of using plastic ones.
• Use Reusable Bottles: Carry a reusable water bottle instead of buying single-use plastic bottles.
• Say No to Straws: If you don't need a straw, just say no. Or, use a reusable metal or bamboo straw.
• Join Cleanups: Take part in beach or park cleanups in your area. Every piece of plastic removed helps!
• Spread the Word: Talk to your friends and family about why it's important to reduce plastic waste.

Images for kids

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  Beach cleanup in Ghana

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  A man and woman dragging a bag of plastic waste collected from the beach in Ghana

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  Volunteers clearing gutters in Ilorin, Nigeria during a volunteer sanitation day. Even when there is adequate infrastructure for sanitation, plastic pollution can prevent drainage and impede sewage flow.

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  The site where the refuse is being recycled in Ghana

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  Household items made of various types of plastic.

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  Waste generation, measured in kilograms per person per day

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  Say no to polythene. Sign. Nako, Himachal Pradesh, India.

See also

In Spanish: Contaminación por plástico para niños