Don't get me wrong, plastic has become the most convenient material ever created by man. In our fast paced, hyper consumption type of society (especially here in the U.S.), we have all grown to rely on all types of plastic. Look around you right now, I bet you will find at least 5 different types of plastic. All different shapes, sizes, and colors. They all have a convenient use, whether it be long term or short term. The catch here is that ALL of those plastic pieces around you, despite being useful to you in this very moment, these same exact materials will still be on this planet in some form FOREVER! Plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to break down, and when they do "break down" they turn into "micro-plastics". Read more here about microplastics: https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/2809-how-harmful-are-microplastics
All other types of plastic can take hundreds of years to break down, but again, it never goes away. Every single bit of plastic created, ever since the plastic boom in the 1950's, is still with us on this planet. It's in our water, landfills, oceans, even our bodies. Scientists are discovering plastic in more places throughout our bodies. Finding particles in 80% of tested people. See article here: https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/24/microplastics-found-in-human-blood-for-first-time
It really makes me wonder what our planet and our bodies would be like if we have never developed plastic in the first place. Would there be less cancer and disease? Would there be more healthy oceans, animals, and ecosystems? Would we even notice that we are missing all of that "convenience" that plastic provides us? With the evidence of sharp increases of the development of neurological disorders (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Dementia, even Depression and Substance Abuse) in people all over the world, scientists have been examining how environmental toxins can lead to neurological disorders. Read more here: http://www.liveinhomecare.com/why-are-neurolgical-disorders-on-the-rise/medical/
As scientists continue to discover a link between environmental toxins, like plastic, and the increase of detrimental neurological and other diseases, is that enough for us all to take action? I am sure that you may know someone who has struggled or have had loss from Cancer, Alzheimer's, Dementia, Parkinson's, ADHD, Depression, Autism, Substance Abuse, MS, the list goes on and on. I am not saying plastic is the core root all of these issues, but what if it is a contributing factor to the rise of these diseases? I know one of my biggest fears is developing a brain damaging disease in my older years leaving my loved ones to take care of me like I am a child for the rest of my life. Or I fear seeing more people I know and love develop an irreversible disease that could've quite possibly been prevented.
Awareness is key to making change. If we make small changes little by little, we can
create major change. In this society, money talks. Let's have our money say "we are done with plastic!".
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