Environmental crisis: a plastic threat to people’s lives

Every day we use plastic in our lives: bottles, packaging, bags. It's certainly convenient, but you have to pay a price for that comfort.

Every year we use about 5 trillion bags, of which only 3% is recycled, the rest ends up in the ocean, according to UN data. According to the organization’s forecasts, in 30 years there will be more plastic than fish in reservoirs.

How this material threatens our life and whether we can do something now to help it, we will tell later in the article.

The toxic effect on health

Over the past 20 years, the production and use of plastic has increased significantly. And as a result, the number of diseases related to the endocrine system has increased significantly due to exposure to chemicals known as endocrine disruptors. Among them – persistent organic pollutants contained in plastic and its decomposition products.

Studies published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism and Environmental Health Perspectives show links between the chemicals and an increase in birth defects in boys, early puberty in girls, infertility and reproductive problems in men.

In addition, there is a link between endocrine disruptors and an increased risk of cancer, obesity, and neurobehavioral disorders such as attention and cognitive problems in children, data supported by research conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).

Also some proven facts about the effect of polyethylene on the body:

• lead, which is used in the production of polyethylene, accumulates in the body. This can cause the development of many diseases;
• products stored in plastic deteriorate faster. Condensation forms in a tightly closed space, which is the cause of the formation of mold. Also, food cannot be frozen or heated in bags due to the release of toxins.

Are there ways to replace plastic?

In today’s world, there are many ecological substitutes, which are not only safer for the environment, but also practical in everyday use. Here are some basic alternatives that you can easily incorporate into your life:

• Shopping bags: These reusable products made from natural or synthetic materials are sustainable and practical. They can be used instead of polyethylene bags, because they are durable, easy to wash and much more environmentally friendly.
• Paper bags and kraft paper: This type of packaging decomposes much faster without harming the planet. The paper is also ideal for wrapping gifts or goods.
• Cloth bags: a great alternative to plastic ones for storing bulk products such as flour, cereals or sugar.
• Biodegradable tableware: plates and cups made from cornstarch or recycled straw decompose quickly in compost without harming the planet.
• Edible tableware: an innovative option that allows you to use tableware and tableware that you can eat. Made from flour, vegetable gelatin or cereals, they are not only functional, but also ecological.

In addition, it is important to reduce the use of plastic in everyday life: choose glass jars for storing products, buy products in ecological packaging, give preference to reusable items and substitutes.

Alternatives are already available and becoming increasingly popular. Everyone can contribute to the protection of the planet by choosing environmentally conscious decisions in everyday life.

Is it profitable to recycle plastic?

“All talk about “plastic recycling” is a myth! Even in developed countries, a tiny fraction of this type of waste is recycled. Modern plastic processing technologies pollute the environment even more. However, one ton of plastic contains more than 50 megawatts of generated energy that can be used to power houses. This material is made from petroleum. It has already been mined, processed and used, so let’s reuse it, because it is very profitable!”, says Tуgran Amalyan – philanthropist, businessman, specialist in nutrition, chief expert of the MEDplus channel.

Tygran Amalyan

Chief expert of evidence-based media MEDplus

• Doctor by education, specialist in nutrition science
• Expert in medical and energy efficiency fields
• Businessman, innovator

There is a solution – pyrolytic processing of plastic waste into alternative fuel or energy. We still extract this fuel from the underground by millions of tons!

Plastic is an achievement of humanity, not useless garbage! This waste we have already polluted the planet with is enough to ensure that several generations of people do not need energy from fossil fuels! And humanity has long had the technology for this!

Tygran Amalyan also emphasizes that there are already enterprises in Ukraine that effectively use the pyrolytic processing to turn it into solid and liquid alternative fuel. Pyrolysis of plastic waste is an effective process that allows almost complete elimination of harmful components contained in modern polymer materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene, etc.