GST 203: Plastic Pollution Definition and Characteristics

12 Questions

What is the projected total amount of plastics generated globally by 2034?

1,143 million tonnes

Which type of plastic is commonly used in building pipes and children's toys?

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Which effect of plastic pollution is NOT mentioned in the text?

Causes sunburn in marine life

What is the main reason for the high amount of plastic waste in the oceans?

8 million pieces of plastics finding their way to the ocean daily

Which of the following is NOT a way of combating plastic pollution mentioned in the text?

Imposing a tax on plastic production

Which country contributes the most plastic waste annually, according to the text?

United States of America

Which of the following statements about plastics is true?

Plastics are formed from chemical bonding of crude oil and gas molecules called monomers.

According to the statistics provided, what is the estimated amount of plastic waste that will be mismanaged in Africa by 2025?

11.5 million tonnes

Which of the following statements about plastic waste management is true for developed countries?

31% of plastic waste ends up in landfills, while 30% is incinerated.

Based on the information provided, what percentage of municipal solid waste (MSW) is recycled in Africa?

According to the statistics, how many plastic bags are used worldwide per year?

500 billion plastic bags

Which of the following statements about plastic pollution in the ocean is true?

About 5-13 million tonnes of plastic waste are dumped in our oceans yearly.

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