How Does Plastic Affect the Environment?
Key Takeaways
Many Muslim-majority countries, such as Malaysia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, face severe plastic pollution, with waste often being burned, leading to toxic fumes harmful to human and animal health.
While plastic straws receive a lot of attention, they make up less than 1% of ocean plastic. Larger contributors include fishing gear and improper waste disposal.
As Stewards (Khalifah) of the Earth, Muslims have a responsibility to minimize plastic waste and avoid excessiveness. Practical steps include using reusable items, avoiding plastic packaging, recycling, and advocating for systemic change.
People are once again wondering about the world’s plastic problem as U.S. President Donald Trump directed the government to bring back plastic straws and ban paper ones. Plastic pollution is a global problem and its harmful effects are even more significant in many Muslim countries.
Are Plastic Straws Bad for the Environment?
Humans use a lot of single-use plastic straws: 30 million are used everyday in Malaysia, 93 million in Indonesia, and 500 million in the U.S. While these estimates are alarming, plastic straws actually make up less than 1% of all the plastic polluting the ocean every year. With such a low impact compared to other plastic—mostly improper waste disposal in Asia—is it worth banning plastic straws and using paper ones instead?
The power in campaigns against plastic straws is in the awareness they bring to plastic pollution. They prompt people to reconsider their overall plastic consumption and learn about how plastic pollution affects the environment and communities around the world, which this article will explore next.
While replacing plastic straws with paper ones alone won’t solve the plastic crisis, it has sparked discussions about larger sources of pollution such as fishing gear—including plastic nets, lines, and ropes— which accounts for 10% of ocean plastic.
How Plastic Pollution Harms Humans
As plastic breaks down in the environment, it becomes a health risk to humans who drink it in their water and eat it in their food. Plastic in rivers and oceans eventually breaks down into microplastics and toxins. Fish and other animals ingest these, which pass them on to the people who eat them.
Microplastics were found in products such as sugar and tea in Bangladesh.
Microplastics were discovered in fish caught in the Nile River and sold in markets in Egypt.
Microplastics were found in fish at local fisheries in Indonesia.
Studies show that microplastics pile up in a person’s brain, kidneys, liver, and lungs and may put the person at risk of developing numerous diseases and disorders.
In some Muslim countries such as Malaysia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, plastic waste is burned which creates toxic fumes that can make humans ill and kill animals.
Plastic pollution also threatens peoples’ livelihoods and food security, especially those who depend on farming and fishing. According to the United Nations Environment Program, plastic can impact soil health and reduce crop productivity. In parts of the world, people are catching more plastic than fish that they need to survive.
Taking Action Against Plastic
Just as we don’t own the food that we farm or the soil that we stand on, we don’t own the oceans or the air that we pollute with plastic. All belongs to Allah (SWT) who appointed us as Khalifah to manage and care for the environment; not to do as we please with it.
While single-use items like plastic straws make up a small portion of the plastic that pollutes this planet, every bit matters and we are accountable for all of it.
“So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”
We must be mindful of all the plastic that we use and do our best to reduce how much we use and eliminate our excess. Allah (SWT) has warned us against excessiveness.
“Eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He does not like those who commit excess. ”
By cutting down on our consumption habits, we can significantly reduce the waste we produce.
Here Are Some Everyday Steps to Help You Reduce Your Plastic Consumption
Every little act we do, when added up over a lifetime, can create a massive impact. Here are some simple ways to reduce plastic consumption:
Choose to Reuse: Reuse bags, bottles, utensils, and containers instead of single-use plastics whenever you can. Instead of plastic straws, use a reusable metal straw.
Avoid Plastic Wrapping: If you have options, purchase items that are not wrapped in plastic.
Buy in Bulk: Purchase products in bigger quantities to reduce the packaging waste that comes with smaller packages.
Support Eco-Friendly Packaging: Choose products that come in biodegradable or recyclable packaging.
Recycle: Learn about the local recycling options in your community and recycle what you can.
Don’t Eat Fish: The fishing industry is responsible for up to 10% of plastic in the ocean and is overfishing our planet so avoid eating fish when you can.
Spread Awareness: Educate others about the importance of reducing plastic waste and reach out to politicians, community leaders, and business owners to call for change at local and global levels.
