Plastic is everywhere in our lives – from water bottles to shopping bags. While plastic is useful, it also creates big problems for the environment. Most plastics are not biodegradable, meaning they don’t break down naturally. A plastic bottle can take up to 450 years to decompose! This leads to piles of plastic waste in landfills and oceans, harming animals and nature.

Plastic pollution in the oceans is especially dangerous. Sea creatures like turtles, fish, and birds mistake plastic for food. When they eat it, it can block their stomachs, causing them to starve. Microplastics, tiny bits of plastic that are hard to see, also end up in the water and soil, eventually making their way into the food chain.

The good news is that we can help reduce plastic pollution. Simple actions like using reusable bags, bottles, and containers instead of single-use plastic can make a big difference. Recycling plastic properly also helps to reduce the amount of waste in the environment. Many countries are even banning plastic bags and straws to fight pollution.

As students, we can raise awareness about plastic pollution by educating others and taking small steps in our daily lives to reduce our use of plastic. Protecting the environment is everyone's responsibility, and together, we can create a cleaner, healthier planet.