Manufacturing:

Raw materials like PET are melted and formed into small tubes and inject it to the molding machine to form the bottles. After labeling, it will undergo to the quality control to inspect the quality standards.

Distribution:

It starts with packaging the bottles then shipping it to the distribution center and sent to various points of sale. Businesses use a combination of retail partnership and e-commerce platforms to make all the products accessible to consumers.

After I dispose my used water bottles, I am sure that it will be recycled because I am throwing it in the proper place.

There's a huge bad impact if the plastic is not properly disposed. The environment will be in trouble because of pollution. Since, plastic cannot be easy to decompose it will end up to some places and mostly in seas and oceans. If the plastic stay in the ocean it will be more of a problem, it will destroy marine animals. Recycling will be a good thing to do to keep our environment clean, safe and sustainable. We can protect our environment by recycling and reducing the use of plastic.

I found out that the process of making plastic is very difficult and requires more time to distribute it to people. I also learned that it will take too much time to decomposed it so it will be better if we don't throw our garbages improperly.

2.        It says plastic recycling

3.        Plastic bags are always used because they let you put your things inside it

4.        Plastic bags can come in my home because maybe they where in shops, stores, and malls

5.        It will be recycled

6.        Plastic sometimes end up in the ocean and can kill animals or choke them and it is a global issue that plastic can be in the ocean. The most place plastic can end up in beaches . In other countries plastic is all around beaches.

7.        We can recycle it and using them to make more things.

8.        That we had to learn how plastic is in oceans and that it is a global issue.

   2) symbols, such as: LDPE

   3) I think it came from a place that does plastic bags and gives them to supermarkets etc to use them.

   4) What will happen after I dispose is maybe it will be recycled or thrown in the ocean but probably it will be recycled.

   5) If plastic is not disposed properly it can be whipped away to the Sea, it can be stick in animals mouth or become stuck on the car’s tyre.

   6) We can reduce this impact by recycling, disposing properly and buying reusable products.

   7) I found the most surprising thing in this activity is that how plastic is harmful

If I throw it in the trash, it could end up in a landfill or the ocean, taking hundreds of years to break down and possibly harming wildlife. Recycling it properly can reduce this impact.

One way to help is by using a reusable bottle instead. What surprised me most is how long plastic lasts in the environment if not recycled.

1_The product that I picked is a plastic  water bottle.

2_Plastic water bottles are made out of PET and and its recycling symbol is a triangle made out of arrows.

3_This product was most probably made to quickly sell water  just for some money  and it must’ve gotten to my  home because I was on a roadtrip and I needed some quick  water  so I bought it.

4_I think it will go to recycling  because I usually recycle  all the plastic that I use.

5_The impact on the environment will be HUGE  because this plastic  can harm animals badly  by choking them and killing  them, this mostly happens when fishers send nets into the ocean causing many animals to get caught. This is very bad because animals are very  important.

6_One suggestion  is to RECYCLE  more.

7_NOTHING  ACTUALLY.

Plastic bag recycling involves collecting, sorting, and cleaning plastic films, which are then shredded into small pieces. These pieces are melted and reformed into pellets that can be used to create new products like plastic lumber or new bags.

The life cycle of a plastic bag begins with the extraction of raw materials like crude oil and natural gas, followed by manufacturing into polyethylene resins and then into finished bags. The bags are then used for a short period before being disposed of, where they enter a final phase of decomposition that can take hundreds of years, or be sent to recycling or landfills. But unfortunately most of the plastic bags are thrown away to end up at the oceans, which leads to many dramatic problems mainly in the marine life causing many animals to die choking from it. The best way to reduce the impact of this problem is by creating a huge campaign of awareness to replace plastic bags with paper bags.

What is it / why used?

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is light, clear, and strong, so it’s great for drinks and safe to carry.

Lifecycle (how it got to me):

Crude oil → refinery → PET pellets → bottle factory → filled at a beverage plant → shipped to a store → I bought it and drank it.

What happens after I’m done?

If I recycle, it can be turned into new bottles or fibers. If I throw it in the trash, it may sit in a landfill for decades. If it’s littered, wind/rain can carry it into drains, rivers, and eventually the ocean.

Environmental impact if not disposed properly:

Bottles can break into microplastics that animals may swallow, harming wildlife and entering food chains. Making new plastic also uses energy and causes emissions.

One way to reduce the impact:

Refill a reusable bottle and only buy plastic bottles when necessary; always place PET in the recycling bin.

Reflection (what surprised me):

I didn’t realize one bottle can last for decades in nature and that microplastics can end up in fish—and possibly in us.

I chose plastic water bottle because me and my family use plastic bottles basically everyday and we end up on throwing it into the trash then it ends in oceans and that can kill a lot of marine animals if we continue with this routine some of marine animals can get extinct.

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1. Harm to Marine Life

• Ingestion: Fish, turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals mistake plastic for food. Once ingested, plastic can cause internal injuries, block digestion, and lead to starvation.

• Entanglement: Animals can become trapped in discarded fishing nets, six-pack rings, or plastic bags, leading to drowning, suffocation, or severe injury.

• Bioaccumulation: Microplastics (tiny fragments <5mm) are consumed by plankton and small fish, entering the food chain and concentrating up through predators.

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2. Chemical Pollution

• Plastics leach toxic chemicals such as BPA, phthalates, and flame retardants into seawater.

• These chemicals can disrupt hormone systems (endocrine disruption) and harm reproductive and developmental health in marine organisms—and potentially humans.

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3. Damage to Ecosystems

• Coral reefs: Plastics can smother coral, block sunlight, and spread pathogens that cause coral disease.

• Seafloor and beaches: Plastic debris alters habitats, suffocates bottom-dwelling organisms, and affects the physical structure of shorelines.

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4. Human Health Risks

• Humans may ingest microplastics through seafood, salt, and even drinking water.

• While research is ongoing, microplastics have been found in human blood and organs, raising concerns about long-term health effects.

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5. Economic Impact

• Fishing industry: Fish stocks decline due to polluted ecosystems and contaminated catches.

• Tourism: Polluted beaches and coastal areas deter visitors.

• Clean-up costs: Removing plastic waste from oceans and coasts is extremely expensive and logistically difficult.

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6. Long-Term Environmental Consequences

• Plastic does not biodegrade; it breaks down into smaller pieces but persists for centuries.

• Ocean currents form garbage patches, such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, concentrating millions of tons of waste.

• Climate link: Plastic production and degradation release greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming.

Plastic Type: PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

An overview of the research:

PET is a lightweight, durable, and transparent plastic that is used to make bottles and containers. It is preferred because it is long-lasting, safe to come into contact with food, and recyclable.

A Plastic Water Bottle's Lifecycle:

Crude oil or natural gas is converted into PET pellets at the start of the lifecycle. After being molded into bottles, these pellets are filled, packaged, and delivered to retail locations. Following purchase, the bottle is used before being recycled or dumped in a landfill.

These kind of bags are given in the supermarkets, and made by plastic factories.

If disposed, they will definitely end up in a landfills or in the oceans and will increase the pollution.

In order to protect the environment, here are some ideas:

* Use biogradable or compostable plastics which can completely breakdown.

* Use paper bags

* Ask the customers to bring their own cloth/reusable bags

* Reuse the plastic grocery bags for trash cans

* Recycle all plastic bags

K.C Oct.22,2025

Global interactions

A plastic water Bottle

1. The plastic type is PET plastic

2. It came in to my home because I use plastic water bottles to drink water

3. I think it will be recycled because I usually put it somewhere where is will be recycled

4. The bottle starts as crude oil which is processed in to plastic parts then molded in to bottles if its thrown away in a landfill of ocean it could take 100s of years to dissolve

5. If plastic is thrown in ton the ocean it could effect or harm Marine wildlife or it could be in a landfill which could pollute the environment and air which could harm animals and Humans.

6. One way we could reduce plastic is by recycling plastic

7. I was surprised by how long plastic takes to dissolve and how much harm it caused to the animals

It has 1 recycling symbol and the type of plastic is tritan and it also says it also says that the water came from Italy and the brand was made in Italy. What i think would happen was if it is recycled it could be use to make other products. In my opinion if it is just thrown in the ocean or on the ground it could be dangerous because marine animals could eat it, and humans could trip and get seriously injured. A way to reduce plastic waste is actually recycle instead of just throwing it on the street. What really shocked me was that there is plastic almost everywhere u go.

Kc

Global interactions

                                                                     Research Activity

My piece of plastic is a plastic bags most of them do not have any recycling symbols on them,people use plastic bags to store food and groceries ,    It’s mostly distributed by companies such as NOVA, NESTLE,etc

After its disposal most people just throw it away then it will end up in in oceans or landfills. Its impacts turtles in the Oceans and seas. One way on how to reduce the impact of plastic bags is by the government banning plastic bags. This was really fun to do.

1. Research the Product:
The bottle is made from PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), a type of plastic often labeled with the recycling code1

PET is lightweight, transparent, and strong — that’s why it’s commonly used for drink bottles and food containers.

2. Trace the Lifecycle:

• Manufacturing: PET plastic is made from petroleum and natural gas in factories.

• Distribution: Bottles are filled at beverage plants, transported by trucks, and sold in supermarkets.

• Use: The bottle is bought, used once, and often thrown away after drinking.

3. What Happens After Disposal:
If properly recycled, the bottle can be turned into new items such as clothing fibers or another bottle.
If not, it might end up in a landfill or, worse, be blown or washed into rivers and eventually the ocean.

4. Environmental Impact:
If the plastic water bottle enters the ocean, it can:

• Harm marine life (fish and turtles may mistake it for food).

• Break down into microplastics, which pollute the water and enter the food chain.

• Take hundreds of years to fully decompose.

5. One Way to Reduce the Impact:
Use a reusable water bottle made of metal or glass instead of single-use plastic.
Also, recycle any plastic bottles correctly in designated bins.

6. Reflection:
I was surprised to learn that a single plastic bottle can last over 400 years in the environment.
It made me realize how important it is to recycle and reduce single-use plastics

It has a High density and its polyethylene.

It can be recycled 2 times according to the recycling symbol.

Life Cycle:

The plastic is melted, molded into the bottle shape, and then filled with milk. After use, they can be recycled into new products, such as more milk bottles, and are widely accepted in curbside recycling programs. 

This is the proper way of disposal.

Improper Disposal & Environmental Impacts

Improper disposal of milk bottles leads to soil and water contamination. Plastic bottles can take hundreds of years to decompose, leaching harmful chemicals into the ground and water, creating microplastics that enter the food chain, and releasing toxic gases when incinerated. 

One way to reduce this impact is to follow the proper disposal method of each type of plastic. Also, trying to avoid using plastic products, such as water bottles can reduce plastic garbage.

Reflection: What I found most surprising in this activity is how recyclable each plastic can be. And the importance to read recycling symbols on products that we use daily.

Thank you :D

-Ahmed Alkeridy

The bottle came from a factory, then a store, then my home. If I throw it away, it might be recycled, or end up in a ocean.

If not recycled, it can hurt animals and stay in nature for years.

I can reuse the bottle or use a metal one.

I was surprised it lasts so long in the environment.

2. Trace the Lifecycle:

The bottle was made in a factory using oil or gas. Then it was filled with water, sent to stores, and I bought it. Now it’s at my house, ready to be used or thrown away.

3. Predict:

If I recycle the bottle, it can be made into a new bottle or even clothes. But if I throw it in the trash, it might end up in a landfill or the ocean, where it could stay for hundreds of years and hurt animals.

4. Environmental Impact:

If the bottle is not thrown away properly, it can pollute the land and water. Small pieces of plastic, called microplastics, can harm fish and other animals.

5. Suggest a Way to Reduce the Impact:

I can use a reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic ones. This helps make less waste.

6. Reflection:

I was surprised that plastic bottles take so long to break down. I learned that recycling and reusing are really important for helping our planet.

2. Trace the Lifecycle:

The bottle was made in a factory using oil or gas. Then it was filled with water, sent to stores, and I bought it. Now it’s at my house, ready to be used or thrown away.

3. Predict:

If I recycle the bottle, it can be made into a new bottle or even clothes. But if I throw it in the trash, it might end up in a landfill or the ocean, where it could stay for hundreds of years and hurt animals.

4. Environmental Impact:

If the bottle is not thrown away properly, it can pollute the land and water. Small pieces of plastic, called microplastics, can harm fish and other animals.

5. Suggest a Way to Reduce the Impact:

I can use a reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic ones. This helps make less waste.

6. Reflection:

I was surprised that plastic bottles take so long to break down. I learned that recycling and reusing are really important for helping our planet.

Material:#2 HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): Used for milk jugs, detergent, and shampoo bottles. This is a more rigid plastic that is often recyclable

Life cycle: It is made and molded in a factory, then filled, sealed, packaged and delivered to stores.

Predict after disposal:1) If you throw it in the trash then a garbage truck will come and collect the trash and dump it in the dumpster and mabye after decades it will travel to nearby rivers or oceans. 2)If you throw it in a recycling bin it will get transported to a facility and it will be shredded into small flaks which will be used to make new water bottles.

Impact: it might reach the ocean and harm marine life because it could be eaten by some animals which will cause them to die.

Suggest one way to reduce this impact: I will try to avoid using single-use plastic water bottles and use reusable water bottles instead.

Reflective: what I found most surprising is that there are symbols on single-use water bottles and they can last decades in the nature without decomposing.

I chose a water bottle because a water bottle takes extremely long to decompose and even when it decomposes, it turns into microplastic which still harm the environment and habitats. I suggest reducing and recycling, because it uses less plastic and helps the environment.

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), is one of the recycling symbols for one time use water bottles. It means that it is easily 100% recyclable. PP (Polypropylene), is found on bottle caps, and means It is recyclable.

The life cycle of a water bottle begins with raw materials like crude oil, then transformed into plastic and then into bottles. After being filled in the factory and sent to supermarkets, we buy the bottles and drink the water. We then throw the plastic bottle away, it can end up in a land for hundreds of years and harm tye nature, or it can be recycled to be made into new products like plastic bags.

If plastic water bottles are not properly disposed it can be harmful to the environmental, such as pollution, harm wildlife, and causing chemical toxicity in water and soil. Water bottles can stay in the environment for hundreds or even thousands of years if they are not recycled well.

Interesting fact I have learned from this activity is that recycling one plastic water bottle can save enough energy to power a light bulb for many hours, and recycling all plastic bottles in a year can save enough energy to power a house for a year. 

to know about plastic bottles. They can last a long time because of recycling but some people don’t want to recycle and think they are cooler then every one so they throw it in the ocean . Well I think there is a lot of solutions to stop throwing plastic in the ocean but there is one that stands out the most which is recycling, and the thing I found most surprising is how they aren’t recycling because they just want every marine life animal to die.