The Overuse of Plastic Water Bottle
By: Rutvik Patel & Yosh Shoh
Introduction
We don’t always think about the impact we are making on the environment by using plastic water bottles in our everyday lives. For our project we studied the overuse of plastic water bottles. We conducted a simple survey. We asked our peers how many plastic water bottles they consume. The survey revealed that the majority of participants use plastic water bottles. In addition, about half of the participants throw the plastic water bottle as they think that plastic bottles are recyclable and cause little to no harm to the environment.
Most of our world has become reliable on plastic. Consumers demand for plastic bottles have skyrocketed by almost qadrupaling in the last few years. Consumers and manufacuters like this product as it is very cheap and easy to manufacture. Bottled water puts tons of toxins into the atmosphere causing to speed up Climate Change. There are many other impacts caused by the usage of plastic bottles.
Plastic Water Bottles
Cost
Harming of Earth
Increase in Climate Change
Plastic water bottles are increasing the process of climate change dramatically.
The greenhouse effect occurs when greenhouses gases, such as carbon dioxide, are released into the atmosphere. These greenhouse gases trap some of the Sun's radial rays of heat into the lower atmosphere. Burning one gallon of gas (approximately 4 litres), creates 9kg of carbon dioxide.
About 10% of the world amount of plastic bottles are burned, increasing the affect. Not only that but ~50% is dumped into landfills.
Consequences: Part 1
Consequences: Part 2
Also, plastic water bottles take over 500 years to decompose. Even when it does decompose it releases the deadly toxins into the ground. These toxins not only contaminate the soil but also the ground water. The toxins travel through the soil and to other lands which could be used for farming or growing. It will not only have the plants but us as well. We or other animals could eat the plant and the toxins could go in the animal resulting in illness or death. It could also contaminate the ground water. If a human or animal drinks the water, they could potentially die.