People Urged To Cut Plastic Use, Adopt Alternatives

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) M Mazharul Haque | The Peninsula

Doha, Qatar: Some animals feed on plastic that is widespread in the environment, which gives them a false feeling of satiety and fullness, and over time this leads to their weakening and death, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) said in a post on its X account, raising public awareness of the need to reduce the use of plastic, its proper disposal and adoption of eco-friendly alternatives.

The ministry in a series of posts and through infographics recently highlighted the damage resulting from the use of plastic to humans, animals and the marine ecosystem.

“The wildlife is affected by the accumulation of plastic waste as wild animals get stuck in various plastic bags or pieces, and sometimes eat them, which causes injury and death,” the ministry said.

Most government and official bodies around the world, including the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, have been raising awareness to fight plastic pollution, informing people about its potential risks and environmental impact, helping reduce its use, in addition to getting rid of it in safe ways, and applying innovative practices and technologies to control it.

“Plastic poses a risk not just when it is present in its pure form in the ecosystem, but also when it breaks down into more hazardous molecules, combines with other elements in the soil, and is absorbed by plants that animals eat. Since humans eat some of these animals, plastic pollution poses a risk to humans as well, affecting the entire food chain,” it said.

Urging people to dump waste in the designated places, the ministry said,“It helps preserve the life of birds and wild animals, so that together we can preserve the biodiversity of our environment.”

“A plastic piece that is not in its designated place has the potential to kill fish, birds, or wild animals. Leave plastic waste in the designated places, adopt sustainable practices to reduce plastic pollution, manage waste effectively, and preserve biodiversity in your environment,” it added.

“Pollution from plastics causes many damages to all ecosystems and their components, so we should reduce its use to preserve the environment and its biodiversity. We must all work together to reduce the risk of plastic pollution, through our commitment to practices that seek to reduce it, preserve the environment, and contribute to the transition to more sustainable ecosystems.”

It explained how dangerous the plastic is to the life of living things on earth, and its negative effects on the entire ecosystem through seven facts: 18 billion pounds of plastic flows into the ocean annually; 327 billion plastic bags end up in the sea; 320 million tonnes of plastic have been produced worldwide; and 450 years is the duration plastic products remain in the marine environment.

70% is the percentage by which plastic pollution will reduce Earth's oxygen; and by the year 2034 the amount of plastic in the world is likely to double; and one of three fish consumed by humans has been exposed to plastic pollution.“Let's take action together! Dispose of plastic responsibly and reduce usage to protect our oceans and environment. If all plastic waste in the ocean were collected, it would stretch around 30,000 kilometres if placed end to end. Make a difference, dispose of plastic correctly and reduce usage,” the Ministry said.

“Our planet is drowning in plastic, but there are sustainable alternatives. Start making a difference by switching to eco-friendly bags today, such as reusable cloth bags, biodegradable bags, paper bags, straw bags, recycled bags, cardboard, glass containers and metal packaging.”

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