World Water Day 2021: How Plastics Contribute To Water Pollution

Jakarta,  5 April 2021 - It is undeniable that plastics are essential to support human life around the world. Not only plastics can be molded into different things that can be used for various purposes, but plastics also matter to support food security for adults and children inaccessible for certain staple goods. As an effect of its functionality, plastics have a lifespan of mere minutes to hours, yet they may persist in the environment for hundreds of years.

Most of the plastics generated from the land wasted away in the nearest waterways and end up in the earth’s last sink; the ocean. Connected waterways, drainage to sewer, river to the ocean make these plastics feasible to be transported worldwide. These plastics contaminate the water, harm the wildlife, and humans heavily depend on clean water and water ecosystems. 

Plastics penetrate the water, degrading the water quality with toxic compounds, and harming human and animal health. Marine animals often mistake plastics for familiar food items - plastic pellets, for example, are thought to resemble tasty fish eggs. Once the plastic is accidentally eaten by the animal, they cannot digest the material and end up harming the animal by clogging the digestive system. Discarded plastic bags from our neighborhood also end up blocking drains and canals and interfering with the waterways. 

In commemorating World Water Day 2021, let's all reflect on how dependent we are on the availability of clean water and water ecosystems. Knowing that our water sources are damaged and harmed by humans activities, we all need to do something in order to tackle this problem. We have seen many positive actions, but the truth is that we all need to do more. Let's all collaborate to achieve stable water ecosystems for a better world and a better future.

Sources:

The Watershed Institute - How does plastic pollution harm water? https://thewatershed.org/how-does-plastic-pollution-harm-water/#:~:text=Once%20the%20plastic%20is%20eaten,harming%20human%20and%20animal%20health.

National Geographic - The world’s plastic pollution explained

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-pollution#:~:text=Plastic%20pollution%20has%20become%20one,ability%20to%20deal%20with%20them.&text=Plastic%20trash%20has%20become%20so,negotiated%20by%20the%20United%20Nations