With the pandemic affecting many lives, most cities and towns stopped accepting recyclables and as a result, recycling programs were suspended for a long period of time. This left many people asking, what would happen if we stopped recycling plastic?
The reality is that the effects of not recycling plastic are far-reaching and wide-ranging. For starters, the amount of plastic waste entering landfills or ending up in our oceans and waterways would be drastically increased. Plastic is not biodegradable and can take centuries before it breaks down into smaller particles, ultimately affecting the environment in a very negative way.
So what can happen if people stopped recycling plastics? Well here’s an article to help you.
The Dangers of Accumulation of Plastic
Have you ever watched the movie “Idiocracy?” It features a scene set in an apocalyptic future, displaying heaps of garbage and recyclables engulfing overpasses and skyscrapers. If we all ceased recycling today, it is quite likely that this would become reality in no time at all!
If plastic is left unattended and accumulated, it can affect the quality of air and water. This is because plastic waste can release harmful toxins, such as carbon dioxide, that can pollute these sources and make them unsafe. Because plastic waste can take centuries to decompose, the high level of pollution would be a long-term problem. Plastic should be recycled and used again in order to reduce its overall wastage.
The Disruption of Wildlife
Another effect of not recycling plastic is the disruption of wildlife. If deer, birds and other wild animals are exposed to plastic waste for long periods of time, it can be fatal for them. Therefore, it is essential that this waste is recycled so that wildlife can remain safe and healthy. A healthier wildlife will also be beneficial to the planet and its inhabitants.
Besides, it will also cause disruption in the food chain. If a wild animal eats plastic, it can pass it on to its predators and disrupt its health and well-being as well. This can significantly alter the balance of ecosystems and cause a lot of destruction.
The Impact on Humans
The lack of recycled plastic would also have an impact on humans. Most of the plastic we use today is used to create products that are used in various industries, such as healthcare, automotive, packaging and more. Without plastic recycling, these industries would be severely affected as they rely on the availability of recycled plastic to function smoothly.
Therefore, it’s best to recycle plastic whenever possible. By doing so, we can help reduce the amount of plastic waste that accumulates in landfills, oceans and other areas and prevent the destruction that would result from its accumulation. With our help, we can ensure that plastic is recycled properly and reused in beneficial ways.
Increased Demands of Virgin Plastics
With the decrease in the recycling of plastics, there will be an increase in the demand for virgin plastics. The demand for new plastic products would eventually rise, as manufacturers would have no choice but to rely on virgin plastics. This would not only increase our plastic footprint, but it will also exhaust non-renewable resources and cause environmental damage.
To avoid this, it is essential that people continue to recycle their plastic waste and help reduce the amount of new plastic that needs to be manufactured. This would help reduce the number of pollutants and toxins released into our environment, as well as help conserve the ecosystem.
The Bottom Line
Not recycling plastic can have drastic consequences on our planet, as well as its inhabitants. The accumulation of plastic waste can pollute air and water, disrupt wildlife, increase reliance on virgin plastics and cause numerous other damaging effects.
Therefore, it is important that people recycle plastic whenever possible and help reduce the amount of plastic waste in our environment. This would help nurture a better environment which is safe and healthy for us, as well as the wildlife that inhabits it.
