I was reading an article from this WWF GREEN HEART magazine for my school project. The article was titled Plastic Pollution: A Global Problem written by Mr. Muhd. Hafizullah bin Mirhassan, a Marine Police Officer.
In this big earth, from the year of 1950 to 2015 - 65 years range - plastic had been produced from little to massive amount. In the early 1950s, there was 1.5 million metric tonnes of plastic produced but after 65 years, the production increased to 322 million metric tonnes - an unbelievable increment of 320.5 million metric tonnes!!!
In Malaysia, 1300 plastic manufacturers exist and there will be more starting this business soon. Malaysia exports plastic too which makes "my own country as part of the pollution culprit."
Photo taken from magazine, WWF Green Heart, Issue 1, 2019, page 3
Manufacturers produced many things our of plastic and the biggest use for plastic is packaging (plastic bags, rice packs, crackers and biscuits wrappers, etc) which took 42% of all types of production, electronics such as bodies of water boilers, vaccuum cleaner body, fan covers and fan plates,etc (25%), household items such as flower pots, bowls, plates,cups and etc (11%), automotive such as the cupholder, boot cover, dashboard, etc (10%), and other purposes.
Photo taken from magazine, WWF Green Heart, Issue 1, 2019, page 3
Unfortunately and i think it is pity, waste management is lacking in Malaysia. Out of the millions of metric tonnes, 8 million were thrown to the ocean and almost 800 species of marine were affected. Malaysia is one of the highest solid waste producers in the world.
There are lack of evidence about this but i could see photos in social media that plastics have killed wildlife and caused coastal pollution.
NOW - in my opinion, we can help by reuse, recycle and reduce the plastic items. My family keeps the plastic bottles to reuse, just don't keep the in the warm car. We also reuse the rice packs after washing them clean. We reject plastic bags by bringing our own bags and basket to the grocery, or just simply reject if we just buy one or two carry-able item.
The above chart shows the life cycle of the items in the environment - they'd still be here even after I die...
SAVE THE WORLD. SAVE OURSELVES. SAVE OUR CHILDREN. WE STILL HAVE TIME.