Invention is the mother of necessity. They have helped mankind foresee future; also allowing innovators to explore greater depths of knowledge. While there have been a number of inventions, only few have made a global impact. Plastic is one such invention that changed the way we look at things. Though the first commercial plastic came only in 1907, invented by Leo Hendrik Baekeland, it is needless to say how much the modern era relies on it. From being used in toys, bags, electronics and appliances to fabrication of automobiles, this material has supported them all. The whole world would have been different has this invention not been made.
But with every invention, in few cases, there is always an adverse affect; plastic being no different. A material that can be ductile and rigid at the same time clutched the crown for being massively used in the today’s advanced manufacturing age. Little did anyone know- this remarkable substance took ages to degrade. Burning it was initially a deemed solution, but the smoke emitted averted this option for inducing poisonous gas. Recycling however is the only solution we have as of now. Nevertheless, there are other setbacks with plastic.
We the people are the main cause why plastic is turning out to be dangerous. We have been known since ages for using anything available in abundance, over its limit. Yet that isn’t the root for complication. The problem arises when plastic is thrown anywhere and everywhere other than garbage/trash bins. The second problem arises from disposing of it instead of re-using it in the first place.
Let’s take Vizag for an example. After being titled one among the cleanest cities, it still comes as no surprise to watch people dump waste all over the streets, canals and in worst case, the sea itself. Regardless of GVMC setting up a large number of trash cans and bins, there is massive chance a person eating an ice cream walking past the shore would throw away the wrapper right there or anywhere besides the dustbin. You might consider this funny for how can a small plastic wrapper damage so much. Consider it in this perspective – You see a guy dumping plastic at places he’s not supposed to. Chances are, you either confront him or just ignore and follow. This reaction carries along tens and hundreds of thousands. Now just imagine all of them walking past the shore throwing just one plastic wrapper each. Pathetic!! isn’t it?
Plastics thrown in canals, on roads and other places will somehow accumulate at one spot and that is sea. This man made poison at some point of time (soon) will bring unimaginable catastrophic changes in the slowest ways allowing us to experience the worst of it. Results can vary from contaminated water to polluted air to rise in sea level and disturbance in its natural habitat. Whatsoever the aftermath may be, it is worth mentioning that humans will be first to encounter this change.
There will be no government or politician to blame for it then. It’s only on us to bring about the needful change. We must respect nature to have her treat us similarly. So dear everyone, the next time you eat something or use something, make sure to throw the wrapper in dustbins provided. And for the love of nature, maybe carry your own bag next time you go shopping?
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