Plastic poses significant environmental problems. It is made from polymers that do not degrade and can persist in the environment for centuries. When plastic litter ends up in oceans and waterways, it kills over 100,000 marine animals every year either through ingestion or entanglement. Plastic bag litter also pollutes landscapes worldwide. While recycling aims to reduce plastic waste, the recycling process itself can release toxic fumes and harm workers. Small actions like using reusable tote bags and reducing single-use plastic can help address this global issue. Government regulations and individual responsibility are both important to lessen the environmental impact of plastics.

1. Done By
Jagathy.P

2. INTRODUCTION
 Plastic is the general common term for a wide
range of synthetic or semi synthetic organic solid
materials suitable for the manufacture of industrial
products. Plastics are typically polymers of high
molecular weight, and may contain other
substances to improve performance and/or reduce
costs.
 Plastic is one of the few new chemical materials
which pose environmental problem. Polyethylene,
poly vinyl chloride, polystyrene is largely used in the
manufacture of plastics.

3. TYPES OF PLASTIC PRODUCTS
 PLASTIC BAGS
 PLASTIC COATINGS
 PLASTIC FURNITURE
 PLASTIC SHEETS
 PLASTIC FITTINGS
 PLASTIC TANKS
 PLASTIC TOYS
 PLASTIC BUCKETS
 PLASTIC SANITARYWARE
 PLASTIC STATIONERY

5. PLASTIC’S ADVERSE EFFECTS ON OUR
ENVIRONMENT
1. Plastics Pollute Oceans And Beaches - Garbage
has been discarded into the oceans for as long as
humans have sailed the seven seas or lived on
seashores or near waterways flowing into the sea.
Since the 1940s, plastic use has increased
dramatically, resulting in a huge quantity of nearly
indestructible, lightweight material floating in the
oceans and eventually deposited on beaches
worldwide

6. PLASTIC BAGS LITTER THE LANDSCAPE
 Once they are used, most plastic bags go into
landfill, or rubbish tips. Each year more and more
plastic bags are ending up littering the environment.
Once they become litter, plastic bags find their way
into our waterways, parks, beaches, and streets.
And, if they are burned, they infuse the air with toxic
fumes.

7. PLASTIC BAGS KILL ANIMALS
 About 100,000 animals such as dolphins, turtles
whales, penguins are killed every year due to
plastic bags. Many animals ingest plastic bags,
mistaking them for food, and therefore die. And
worse, the ingested plastic bag remains intact even
after the death and decomposition of the animal.
Thus, it lies around in the landscape where another
victim may ingest it.

8.  Once plastic is produced, the harm is done once
and for all. Plastic defies any kind of attempt at
disposal – be it through recycling, burning, or land
filling.
 When you recycle a hazard, you create a hazard.
 Recycling of plastic is associated with skin and
respiratory problems, resulting from exposure to
and inhalation of toxic fumes, especially
hydrocarbons and residues released during the
process.

9. MEASURES
1. Single-use plastic bags have become such a
ubiquitous way of life that it seems as if we simply
cannot do without them. However, if we have the
will, we can start reducing their use in small ways.
2. A tote bag can make a good substitute for holding
the shopping. You can keep the bag with the
cahier, and then put your purchases into it instead
of the usual plastic bag.

10. 3. Recycling the plastic bags you already have is
another good idea. These can come into use for
various purposes, like holding your garbage,
instead of purchasing new ones.
4. While governments may be working out ways to
lessen the impact of plastic bags on the
environment, however, each of us should shoulder
some of the responsibility for this problem, which
ultimately harms us.