Do you think that you would ever consider eating plastic? It turns out that if you eat fish, you probably already do! Currently, studies have shown that a third of fish caught in the UK contains plastic. All plastics are polymers, which means that they don’t ever truly decompose. Instead, they break down into tiny particles called microplastics, which are then consumed by unsuspecting fish and other marine life. In this way, plastic enters the food chain, slowly working its way up to humans.

Why exactly is plastic bad for us?

When plastic breaks down under UV exposure from the sun, it releases certain toxins such as PCBs (carcinogenic pollutants), pesticides and flame retardants into the ocean. The surrounding marine life  consumes these microplastics before being consumed in turn by us – so not only are we eating plastics, we are also ingesting the toxins associated with them.

For years there have been worries over the environmental impact plastic has on the environment, and especially on marine animals. Governments all over the world are finally taking measures to curb plastic waste, but it will take more than taxes on plastic bottles and bags to control the damage. As with so many of these problems, the solution lies in awareness and education – and not just with adults, but with children, too. It’s essential that we teach our future generations the importance of sustainability, recycling and environmental conservation. With our help, they might be able to work towards a solution to our problem with plastic, saving the planet in the process. 

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