Plastic Persuasive 

Imagine a world where wherever you looked, there was plastic on the ground, plastic in the air, plastic in the water you drink. Well, this could very well be a reality if we don’t put a stop to excessive plastic usage. There has been much debate about the allowance of plastic, but it has been decided that plastic is too necessary and helpful to be banned. However, I’m here to tell you that plastic has many alternatives and is hurting our economy and environment more than it is helping.

To start, plastic takes a long time to break down, so when you see someone littering and just leave it there, it won’t decompose and go away. Some plastics will take at least 400 years to break down. And in those 400 years that it sat there, many not-so-great things could have happened to the plastic. For example, an animal could have eaten it, killing the animal. Some of its tiny microplastics could have fallen to the ground, polluting the soil. The wind could have carried it away and into the ocean, where it pollutes the water WE USE. A plastic bag could easily block a drain. If you think that’s helpful, you need to get your brain checked.

Next, the way plastic is made isn’t any good either. As cheap as it may be, producing it uses tons of different colored dyes and toxic chemicals, for example, petroleum. Petroleum, which’s combustion contributes to polluting emissions, especially carbon dioxide, is one of the most dangerous greenhouse gases. When plastic is released into the environment, it is therefore releasing all those chemicals from manufacturing.  

Lastly, many other materials could be used as substitutes for plastic. For example, glass. While not biodegradable (not like plastic is either), glass is cheap to make and infinitely recyclable. Glass is good as a replacement for food storage containers, cups, and even straws. Another great alternative is bamboo. Bamboo is incredible; it’s anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and naturally decomposable. From utensils to hairbrushes, it is already being utilized in many ways. Overall, plastic does not have to be as popular and primary as it is.

Plastic usage should be reduced due to its harmful effects on the environment, and alternatives are available. Getting rid of plastic could save our planet in more ways than you could imagine. While it may have its gains, the losses are too heavy to keep overlooking. All in all, it's time for us to make a conscious effort to reduce our plastic usage and embrace eco-friendly alternatives to ensure a better future for ourselves and generations to come.