Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the projected total amount of plastics generated globally by 2034?
What is the projected total amount of plastics generated globally by 2034?
Which type of plastic is commonly used in building pipes and children's toys?
Which type of plastic is commonly used in building pipes and children's toys?
Which effect of plastic pollution is NOT mentioned in the text?
Which effect of plastic pollution is NOT mentioned in the text?
What is the main reason for the high amount of plastic waste in the oceans?
What is the main reason for the high amount of plastic waste in the oceans?
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Which of the following is NOT a way of combating plastic pollution mentioned in the text?
Which of the following is NOT a way of combating plastic pollution mentioned in the text?
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Which country contributes the most plastic waste annually, according to the text?
Which country contributes the most plastic waste annually, according to the text?
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Which of the following statements about plastics is true?
Which of the following statements about plastics is true?
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According to the statistics provided, what is the estimated amount of plastic waste that will be mismanaged in Africa by 2025?
According to the statistics provided, what is the estimated amount of plastic waste that will be mismanaged in Africa by 2025?
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Which of the following statements about plastic waste management is true for developed countries?
Which of the following statements about plastic waste management is true for developed countries?
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Based on the information provided, what percentage of municipal solid waste (MSW) is recycled in Africa?
Based on the information provided, what percentage of municipal solid waste (MSW) is recycled in Africa?
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According to the statistics, how many plastic bags are used worldwide per year?
According to the statistics, how many plastic bags are used worldwide per year?
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Which of the following statements about plastic pollution in the ocean is true?
Which of the following statements about plastic pollution in the ocean is true?
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Study Notes
Definition and Characteristics of Plastics
- Plastics are formed from chemical bonding of crude oil and gas molecules called monomers
- Plastics are versatile, lightweight, strong, and inexpensive
- Plastics are non-biodegradable
Statistics of Plastic Waste Generation
- 206 million tonnes of plastic waste was generated globally in 2008
- 308 million tonnes of plastic waste was generated around the world in 2014
- 5-13 million tonnes of plastic waste are dumped in oceans yearly
- In 2050, there will be more plastic waste than fish if not addressed
- 11.5 million tonnes of mismanaged waste is expected in Africa by 2025
- Only 4% of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is recycled in Africa
- 39% of plastic waste is recycled, 31% ends up in landfills, and 30% are incinerated in developed countries
- One in every three fish contains plastic
- 100% of all sea turtles have plastics in their stomach
- 500 billion plastic bags are used yearly, which is 150 plastics per person
- 381 million tonnes of plastics were generated in 2021 and it's set to double in 2034
- The United States of America contributes 38 million tonnes of plastics yearly
- 8 million pieces of plastics find their way to the ocean daily
Types of Plastics
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE): plastic water bottles and soft drink containers
- High density polyethylene (HDPE): oil, yoghurt, and chemical gallons
- Low density polyethylene (LDPE): nylon bags of different colors
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): building pipes and children toys
- Polypropylene (PP): luggage, electronic casings, and car bumpers
- Polystyrene (PP): disposable cups and takeaway food packs
- Polylactic acid (PLA): baby feeding bottles and clothes buttons
Effects of Plastic Pollution
- Decomposition rate of plastic is slow
- Causes air pollution if burned
- Environmental littering
- Drainage blockage
- Reduces tourism
- Reduces agricultural production
- Food and water contamination
- Causes blockage in the digestive tracts of animals and aquatic life
Ways of Combating Plastic Pollution
- Encouraging reduce, reuse, and recycling
- Community/neighborhood clean up of drainages
- Legislation and Enforcement (bans, taxes, and punishments)
- Shop friendly (bring your own bag)
- Environmental sensitization and awareness
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Description
Explore the definition and characteristics of plastics as it relates to plastic pollution in the context of Environment and Sustainable Development. Learn about how plastics are formed from crude oil and gas molecules, their properties, and their impact on the environment as non-biodegradable waste.
