the manufacturing of materials for utilization in vehicles and electronic equipments,
without compromising the safety and quality aspects. Clear labeling of recyclable
plastics could result in efficient separation by the consumers. This would minimize
expenditures on waste sorting and separation. In this way, the recycling program
efficiency can be enhanced, and the amount that gets recycled can be maximized. In
western Europe, mechanical reprocessing of plastics increases at 7% rate annually
(Thompson et al. 2009). Scientific data from the field can provide estimation on the
thresholds of the ecosystem disturbance, as evidence-based strategy for the creation
of binding international agreements with broad acceptability to tackle the plastic
crisis (Mendenhall 2018). Measures such as restriction on entering highly polluted
areas, control of the sea border, and outreach program to raise ecological awareness
of the local populations are now a must to safeguard the ecosystem (Tursi et al.
2018). Some oceanic mammals are bioindicators that could provide clues on the
extent of pollution and for eventual steps to be taken in the marine ecosystem
remediation and conservation (Germanov et al. 2018). General public must
be engaged for them to be aware of the seriousness and extent of the marine plastic
pollution, and also on issues related to the chemical pollution and ocean acidification
(Panti et al. 2019).
2.5 Conclusion
Plastics play a crucial role in our daily life. However, uncontrolled use and human
consumption and activities have generated problems with plastic pollution,
impacting human health, environment, and marine ecosystem. The harmful,
toxic effects of plastics are dependant upon the sizes, shapes, and source of exposure.
Nanoplastics could penetrate and cause disruption to human body functions. Plastic
additives such as bisphenol A and phthalates can cause endocrine disruption, leading
to many deadly diseases. The remedies may lie in turning to a more biodegradable
and biocompatible plastics based on biopolymers that are safer and nontoxic to the
environment. Proper plastic disposal methods must be put in place and greater
awareness should be made with regards to the toxicity and handling of plastics.
Plastic recycling and reuse must be promoted and minimizing the use of plastics
must be encouraged. Clear policy should be formulated, implemented, and enforced
with the incentives for plastic reduction, reuse and recycle, within circular economy
framework. This small ripple on creating awareness about plastic pollution and
remediation could hopefully turn into small waves, the small waves into big
waves, the big waves into giant waves, and the giant waves later turn the tides,
and wash the pollutants and contaminants away.
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without compromising the safety and quality aspects. Clear labeling of recyclable
plastics could result in efficient separation by the consumers. This would minimize
expenditures on waste sorting and separation. In this way, the recycling program
efficiency can be enhanced, and the amount that gets recycled can be maximized. In
western Europe, mechanical reprocessing of plastics increases at 7% rate annually
(Thompson et al. 2009). Scientific data from the field can provide estimation on the
thresholds of the ecosystem disturbance, as evidence-based strategy for the creation
of binding international agreements with broad acceptability to tackle the plastic
crisis (Mendenhall 2018). Measures such as restriction on entering highly polluted
areas, control of the sea border, and outreach program to raise ecological awareness
of the local populations are now a must to safeguard the ecosystem (Tursi et al.
2018). Some oceanic mammals are bioindicators that could provide clues on the
extent of pollution and for eventual steps to be taken in the marine ecosystem
remediation and conservation (Germanov et al. 2018). General public must
be engaged for them to be aware of the seriousness and extent of the marine plastic
pollution, and also on issues related to the chemical pollution and ocean acidification
(Panti et al. 2019).
2.5 Conclusion
Plastics play a crucial role in our daily life. However, uncontrolled use and human
consumption and activities have generated problems with plastic pollution,
impacting human health, environment, and marine ecosystem. The harmful,
toxic effects of plastics are dependant upon the sizes, shapes, and source of exposure.
Nanoplastics could penetrate and cause disruption to human body functions. Plastic
additives such as bisphenol A and phthalates can cause endocrine disruption, leading
to many deadly diseases. The remedies may lie in turning to a more biodegradable
and biocompatible plastics based on biopolymers that are safer and nontoxic to the
environment. Proper plastic disposal methods must be put in place and greater
awareness should be made with regards to the toxicity and handling of plastics.
Plastic recycling and reuse must be promoted and minimizing the use of plastics
must be encouraged. Clear policy should be formulated, implemented, and enforced
with the incentives for plastic reduction, reuse and recycle, within circular economy
framework. This small ripple on creating awareness about plastic pollution and
remediation could hopefully turn into small waves, the small waves into big
waves, the big waves into giant waves, and the giant waves later turn the tides,
and wash the pollutants and contaminants away.
82
Z. Tahir et al.