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Which are the worst 10 things that pollute the Earth?
Millions and millions of plastic are produced each year and most of these items are dumped in landfills or oceans.
Every year, the International Coastal Cleanup creates a list of the 10 things that pollute the earth & our oceans the most.
Below, you will find the worst polluting items and explore easy swaps, that are sustainable and better for the environment!
10 things that pollute the Earth & our oceans:
1. Cigarette butts (5,716,331)
You may think that these small butts waste is not that harmful, but the truth is that they aren’t just litter.
They are responsible for:
- damaging habitat and ecosystems
- starting destructive fires
- poisoning both wildlife and humans
- plus, they cost lots of money for cleanup and disposal (almost $11.5 billion annually)
To make things worse, tobacco products are the largest volume (38%) of litter.
5.5 trillion (5,500,000,000,000) cigarettes are consumed globally every year. What’s worse, most of it is going in our oceans.
Smokers don’t damage only the planet, the animals, and the people around them; tobacco users also kill themselves. And what for?
EASY SWAP / BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
- plant-based biodegradable cigarette filters
- e-cigarettes can certainly cut down on cigarette butt pollution (they are a better alternative, as long as they are disposed of properly!)
2. Plastic food wrappers (3,728,712)
Nowadays, almost everything in the supermarkets contains some plastic packaging.
What’s more, there is a rising concern about the possibility of releasing undesirable chemicals from plastic materials into food products.
Different substances are added into plastic items to increase the life of the plastics which are not completely safe.
EASY SWAP / BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
- Buy in bulk in reusable containers or jars
- Buy food from a farmers market in your bags & containers
- Choose items in packaging that is not dangerous to your health or nature: glass packaging, aluminum packaging – both of which are 100% recyclable
3. Plastic straws, stirrers (3,668,871)
In theory, they are recyclable, but that doesn’t mean they are recycled.
Usually, straws end up in landfills or our oceans.
Just in the US, over 500,000,000 plastic straws are used every day.
When they end up in the ocean, straws are having an enormous negative impact on marine life.
Probably you’ve seen it, but in case you haven’t, check this shocking video, demonstrating how a simple straw can cause horrible things.
EASY SWAP / BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
- reusable staws from BAMBOO, GLASS or STAINLESS STEEL
- biodegradable straws from PAPER, HAY (WHEAT)
4. Plastic utensils (1,968,065)
Plastic utensils and cutlery are having a massive impact on the planet. Plastic forks and spoons require a lot of energy, and during production, they emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Once CO2 it’s emitted, it is combined with other dangerous substances, that are creating destructive climatic changes.
Around 40 BILLION plastic utensils are produced each year, and that’s just in the US.
India produces 129 billion utensils, that end up in landfills.
The recycling rates are close to non-existing, so most of it ends in our oceans and landfills.
Oh, also inside different animals.
EASY SWAP / BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
- reusable cutlery set from BAMBOO or STAINLESS STEEL
- spork
- biodegradable wooden utensils
5. Plastic beverage bottles (1,754,908)
A million plastic bottles are sold around the world – every single minute. This demand is equivalent to about 20,000 plastic bottles, every second.
Click here to see a visualization of the world’s addiction to plastic bottles.
Between 5 and 13 million tonnes of plastic finds its way into our oceans, and it is eaten by fish, sea birds, and other sea species.
According to research, the oceans will contain more plastic than fish by 2050.
The estimated decomposition rate for plastic bottles is 450 years.
EASY SWAP / BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
- reusable water bottle
- choose local companies and drinks in a glass bottle or aluminum can & always recycle the bottle/can
6. Plastic bottle caps (1,390,232)
Did you know that, in just one year, more than 480 billion plastic drinking bottles were sold, across the globe?
One of the reasons why people buy water in plastic bottles is because they believe that the quality is higher and the water is cleaner.
The truth is that most of the bottled water is filtered tap water.
Furthermore, a bottled water bottle can contain microplastics, and if you tend to reuse the plastic bottle, it can grow bacteria. Yikes!
Related topic: The Dangers Of Reusing Plastic Bottles
Let’s not forget the bottle caps. They are among the top 5 items found during beach clean-ups.
More than 20 million bottle caps and lids were found, over the last 30 years, during beach clean-up activities around the world.
EASY SWAP / BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
- reusable water bottle
- choose drinks in a glass or aluminum bottles
7. Plastic grocery bags (964,541)
Worldwide, we consume around 160,000 plastic bags, a second!
What’s worse, less than 1 percent are recycled. Plus, around 10% of this plastic waste goes to the oceans, which affects hundreds of species.
Producing plastic bags requires petroleum and often natural gas, both of which are non-renewable resources.
The materials needed to create this plastic item produce a lot of pollution, just during the manufacturing process.
What’s more, the energy and the transport, need for disposable bags creates even more global warming emissions.
So, plastic bags don’t just harm the environment, once we throw them away. They create damages along the whole production way.
It takes around 500 years to degrade in a landfill, but a plastic bag cannot break down or disappear completely.
Instead, they photo-degrade, meaning that they become microplastics, that absorb toxins and continue to pollute the environment.
EASY SWAP / BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
- always use a reusable bag
8. Other plastic bags (938,929)
The thin plastic bags that are used for fresh veggies and fruits are one example.
But it doesn’t matter if we talk about a thicker or thin plastic bag – they all have harmful consequences for the environment.
Plastic bags require a lot of resources, and as we mentioned – they release toxins during their production and after their end of life.
Additionally, plastic bags cause pollution, and they are dangerous for wildlife.
EASY SWAP / BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
- Reusable bags
- Reusable produce bags
9. Plastic lids (728,892)
Plastic lids include chemicals of serious concern in EVERY manufacturing step and their environmental persistence is high.
They have a high potential to accumulate toxic chemicals in the environment, too. And they don’t have a recycling system.
Most coffee cup lids cannot be recycled, and because of the material they are made of, there is a possibility to leach dangerous toxins in the coffee.
EASY SWAP / BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
- replace with reusable coffee cup
10. Plastic cups and plates (656,276)
This can be takeaway containers, single-use styrofoam items, or cups from hard plastic.
1) Takeaway containers
2025 million takeaway containers are being used in Europe, for one year.
The problem is that the way to recycle disposable takeaway containers is not efficient and extremely low amounts are recycled.
2) Styrofoam cups and plates
Another material that involves chemicals is of serious concern in EVERY manufacturing step.
When it’s in contact with heat, or any liquid substance, it leaches into the food/drink. Inhalation or ingestion can cause dizziness, headaches, vomiting, and unconsciousness in humans.
Styrofoam is non-biodegradable and Americans alone throw away 25 billion polystyrene coffee cups a year.
3) Cups (hard plastic)
Hard plastic has environmental persistence and the potential to release toxic chemicals.
And since such cups are not recyclable, they often end in landfills and oceans.
EASY SWAP / BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
plant-based biodegradable takeaway containers
bring your own reusable container or/and stainless steel coffee mug
edible cups and plates
Conclusion
It is simple – by avoiding the biggest plastic pollution items, we all can make a difference!
It all depends on your mindset and how much you want to make a positive change in your life.
Yet, keep that in mind that switching to the more sustainable alternatives won’t happen overnight.
Instead of trying to change everything at once, start making small and gradual changes.
With time you will see that the changes are so much easier than you think!
To find more about the sustainable & zero waste alternatives to the biggest polluting items, click here!
What are the worst everyday things that pollute the Earth the most, in your opinion?
Share in the comments below!
