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Questions and Answers
How much more energy is required to manufacture a paper bag compared to a plastic bag?
What percentage more air pollutants do paper bags generate compared to plastic bags?
Why might banning single-use plastics not be the best solution?
What alternative to banning single-use plastics is suggested in the text?
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What is a common issue with alternative materials to plastic?
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Study Notes
Plastic Waste Problem
- In the last 65 years, people have become increasingly dependent on plastic due to its low cost, lightness, and strength.
- These advantages also make plastic harmful to the environment, resulting in micro-plastics.
Recycling and Solutions
- Only 9% of all plastic produced has been recycled.
- One popular solution is to prohibit single-use plastics.
- In the UK, supermarkets are encouraged to set up plastic-free aisles with loose food displays.
Government Initiatives
- A tax has been placed on plastic carrier bags in the UK, reducing their use by 90%.
- Schemes for reducing plastic bottle use are being considered, including payment for returns and increasing public drinking fountains.
- Governments like Canada and India plan to ban single-use plastic altogether in the near future.
Essential Uses of Plastic
- Single-use plastic has a vital role in medicine, minimizing infection and cross-contamination.
- Plastic packaging is crucial in the food industry, ensuring food safety for consumers.
- Bottled water in poor regions and emergency situations has reduced the spread of water-borne diseases and saved lives.
Alternative Materials
- Paper bags require four times more energy to manufacture than plastic bags.
- Paper bags generate 70% more air and 50 times more water pollutants than plastic bags when degraded.
- Alternative materials like aluminum, glass, card, or cotton also have environmental issues.
Reducing Plastic Waste
- Reducing plastic waste and its impact on the environment is necessary.
- Simply banning single-use plastics may not be the best option, as industries rely on them for health and safety.
- A better solution might be to invest in redesigning plastics for easy breakdown and remanufacturing, and better recycling technology.
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Description
This quiz explores the effects of plastic waste on the environment, how it's harming the planet, and why it's so difficult to recycle.
