Plastic usage does not only harm nature but also threatens the lives of living organisms. According to research, it is known that over 400 species are affected by plastic. Before the 20th century, plastic usage was not this widespread, and the damage to nature was not like this. Because plastic tools and equipment are easier to access and cheaper compared to products made from other materials, they began to be used in almost every area of social life, from medicine to education, from industry to household items, and their environmental harms have emerged.
When we look at our lives, let us think about all the items we use; the phone case we use, the earphones in our ears, perhaps the container holding our lunch or the water bottle we are about to drink from are all made of plastic. They have practically taken over our lives, and living without them has become almost impossible. Plastics were first produced in the 1960s. All these plastics contain many substances harmful to human health.
Plastic materials decompose in nature in 1,000 years. Each year, 440 bags are consumed per person. In Turkey, billions of plastic bags are consumed annually. 75% of waste on beaches consists of plastics. Especially with the exposure of plastic waste thrown into the seas, the Mediterranean is known as the world's 6th largest marine garbage dump. The Mediterranean harbors 7% of microplastics. Plastic waste has become the biggest enemy of marine life. Eight million tons of plastic waste are dumped into the oceans every year. Plastic bags are found in the stomachs of 80% of dead sea turtles. Plastic causes serious harm not only to human health but to our entire world. To leave a more livable world for future generations, we must stay away from plastics and turn to recycling.
