We’ve all heard that plastics are bad for the environment, but do we truly understand why?

Every day, we unknowingly consume microplastics, while animals on land and in water are
ingesting, choking on, and becoming entangled in plastic waste. As a result, habitats are being
destroyed, and species are dying at alarming rates. While these issues are visible, there’s much more beneath the surface.

Virtually all plastic is made from petrochemicals derived from crude oil and natural gas. While
manufacturing plastics, enormous amounts of energy are spent, while unwelcome GHG
(greenhouse gas) is discharged into the air. If our plastic consumption continues unchecked and production expands as planned by the fossil fuel industry, the consequences for our planet and our health will be devastating. By 2030, emissions from plastic production could surpass 40 times the total emissions generated by all fossil fuel vehicles in the U.S. in 2022.

Beyond pollution and emissions, plastics expose us to toxic chemicals throughout their life
cycle—during production, use, and disposal. More than 2,000 chemicals used in plastic
manufacturing are now recognized as hazardous to human health. Even more alarming, nano-
plastics—microscopic particles from plastics—can enter our bodies through food, water, and
even the air we breathe. Researchers are only beginning to understand how much nano-plastics and toxic chemicals accumulate in our organs—and the damage they may cause to our health.

Although it will be hard, if not impossible, for humans to live without plastics, there is a class of plastics that we can absolutely live without. Single use plastics amplify the detriments caused by plastics while encouraging the use-once-then-toss culture.

Our climate is already experiencing the severe consequences of poor environmental
stewardship. The future of our children, and the life of the once plentiful and healthy planetary ecosystem we depend on, is at stake. But there’s good news: by changing our habits and demanding action from corporations, we can shift the trajectory away from environmental disaster and toward a sustainable future.

By Kathryn Kim