Plastic makes its way into everything from wrappings to clothing and electronics in our modern lives. One major environmental problem with plastic, however, is that it never decomposes like organic materials do. We shall look at why plastic doesn't decompose and also review what implications this has on the planet in this blog.
What is decomposition?
Basically, decomposition is the process of breaking down organic substances into simpler organic or inorganic matter. Driven by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, this natural process decomposes dead plants and animals, turning them into reusable nutrients for the ecosystem.
Why Plastic Doesn't Decompose
Plastic contains synthetic materials made from petrochemicals: chemical products derived from petroleum. The major reasons why plastics do not biodegrade are listed below, among which are chemical structure.
Polymers: plastics contain very long chains of molecules called polymers. Such polymers are designed to provide strength and toughness, and therefore plastics are not degradable inside the natural degradation process because microorganisms cannot easily break the long chain of such polymers.
Since virtually all enzymes in nature were evolved with the ability to degrade organic matter, none of these have an effect on synthetic polymers that constitute plastic. As a result, plastic is affected by only a very limited number of bacteria and fungi, which have evolved the ability to break it down—and even they do so very slowly.
Stability of Synthetic Materials:
Synthetic materials that constitute plastic are also stable in chemical composition, meaning that they do not readily react with other chemicals. It is this very characteristic that renders plastics fit for the packaging of food and chemicals but, on the other end, an environmental nuisance during degradation.
Environmental Conditions:
Decomposition usually requires some specific environmental conditions, such as moisture, oxygen, or proper temperatures. All these are mainly unavailable in landfills or the ocean, thus making the degradation process even slower.
Negative Impacts of Plastic Non-Biodegradability
The fact that plastic is non-biodegradable has very grave consequences on the environment:
Landfill Accumulation:
Non-biodegradable plastic waste accumulates in landfills, which an areas that may over some time leach out potentially harmful chemicals into the land and water.
Marine Pollution:
Plastic wastes mostly end up in the ocean, which Of course participates in toxicity and harms marine life. Animals can ingest plastic or get entangled in it, meaning to injure or kill them.
Microplastics:
Large pieces of plastic eventually break down into smaller fragments called microplastics. These tiny particles become pervasive in the environment and lodge into the food chain, posing a possible health risk to animals and humans.
Climate Change:
It generates greenhouse gases, thus contributing to climate change. Plastics require fossil fuels in their production process, and in the event of incineration or burning, the process releases carbon dioxide and other by-product pollutants.