The issue of environmental pollution is very acute. Today, together with our partner – the Royal Craft Wood company, we decided to touch on such a topic as plastic and its impact on nature.It is no secret that the number of goods made of plastic, as well as various packaging, is growing every day. All this cannot but affect the state of our environment.
Every second, thousands of tons of plastic are being discarded as waste throughout the globe. Plastic trash is an issue that is physically there in front of us: it is clogging up the whole ecosystem, including the seas. Oceans throughout the globe get an estimated dozens of tons of plastic waste every year.
One kilogram of rubbish is produced by each human being on a daily basis; about 2 billion tons of waste is created each year. 16 percent of the population from nations with a good level of life generates a third of all garbage. Furthermore, trash production is expected to rise by a further 70% in the coming years, according to current projections.
However, environmental stewardship is quickly rising to the top of the priority list for many businesses. Moreover, the green economy has the potential to become the dominating sector of the next decade, attracting investment, spawning start-ups, and resulting in significant technical advances.
This immediately impacts marine and terrestrial life. The option is ours: either we continue using plastic or discover a physiologically good substitute. Scientists and modern environmentalists are working together to create new products using natural components.
Growing mushrooms is a substitute for plastic items is one of the most intriguing ideas. Scientists have figured out how to cultivate mushrooms with the exact density, size, and form they want. It’s due to the many filaments that sprout from the mushroom’s center.
Many materials may be replaced with mushrooms, such as rubber and cork, and leather and plastic. A surfboard, for example, has already “grown.” More and more eco-conscious consumers are turning to mushrooms as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic, foam, and other commonly used home items.
Plastic may be replaced with algae cultivated in a lab. Aquatic plants have long been known to be capable by scientists. One of the most remarkable properties of algae is that they can remove contaminants from water and produce clean oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis. To make a biomaterial from these plants, all needed is crushed algae. Toys, packaging, and mementos may be made from algae grains reconstituted into bioplastic.
Plastic bags may replace new, ecologically friendly materials made from potato chips and french fries’ starchy residue. It comprises polyurethane and disposable bags, but its starch content is much lower, ensuring biodegrade. Plastic bags may be made from starch-based material, which is more durable than paper bags. The use of starch also reduces the usage of oil-based products, which is good for the environment and reduces the use of plastic.
Cassava is a tropical tuber plant native to Asia used as a food. The plant is quite simple to grow, yet it produces enormous harvests, particularly in hot climates. Scientists have discovered a new technique to utilize cassava that isn’t related to eating it. An ecologically friendly material with qualities comparable to plastic may be made from cassava starch and oils and resins. Using plastic made from cassava leaves no hazardous waste behind after a few months.
Environmentally friendly components are used in modern materials, so they can’t affect the environment or the people living there. Modern alternatives and careful use may help counteract the effects of plastic pollution and avert even more devastating repercussions.
