The Life of My Bottle – From Use to Landfill

My plastic bottle started its life in a factory. It was made from crude oil that was turned into a type of plastic called PET. Creating this single bottle required about three times the amount of water it can contain and emitted over 80 grams of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. After being filled, sold, and used once, its short life ended. Instead of being recycled, it was thrown away, joining millions of other bottles in landfills every day.

In the landfill, my bottle will stay for a very long time. It can take up to 450 years

(6 human lives) to break down. As it slowly falls apart, it releases toxic chemicals into the soil and water. Rain washes these chemicals into rivers, harming plants, animals, and people. Over time, the bottle breaks into tiny pieces called microplastics. These pieces have already been found in human blood and lungs, and they can cause health problems like inflammation and hormone changes.

Still, there are ways to change this story. Recycling, new biodegradable materials, and circular economy systems can create jobs and reduce waste. To make this happen, governments need stronger recycling laws and landfill taxes. Without action, my plastic bottle will keep polluting our planet.