Plastic Kills

Whenever I get an assignment that has anything to do with raising my awareness about the earth's demise, I can't help to feel guilty. After reading the article about all the plastic waste that has accumulated in the Pacific Ocean that is the size of Texas, I was shocked. I have taken biology in high school and was always fascinated by how every single organism depends on one another. The plastic waste in our ocean may wipe out several organisms resulting in a huge impact in the food chain. Not only are we harming marine life, but as a result, we are hurting ourselves. On average, the normal person produces thousands of pounds of waste each year. If we found ways to reuse our trash, such as recycling, we could make a huge difference in saving our planet. I have recently purchased those reusable bags for groceries because I know every bit helps no matter how small. I noticed that just me alone, I probably use a lot of plastic bags each year and that the reusable bags cut back on this global issue. I even buy extra of these reusable bags and give them to friends and family members for the next time they go grocery shopping. I always receive "thank yous" because they are much stronger than normal paper or plastic bags. Another benefit is that many grocery stores, such as Safeway, give you discounts off your purchases for bringing in your own bag.The best part is that the reusable bags are made from recycled plastic. Not only plastic bags, but water bottles are another huge waste of plastic. Another reason for not buying plastic water bottles, they are found to cause cancer from drinking out of them as well. The alternative? Use a reusable water bottle. I am guilty of buying the Costco size packs of water bottles, but after learning about the damage it causes, I stick to one.

Maybe you will become more eco-friendly, maybe you won't, but the fact is plastic and other waste is changing our world for the worst. Plastic kills.