I was talking to an 8th grader who had just littered a Gatorade bottle. He dumbfoundedly stared back at me before responding, “what, that bottle, why?”

I then explained to him that his choice to litter this bottle will later affect the earth’s ecosystem which, in turn, will eventually adversely impact him.  

Over the years, experiences like this one have inspired me to, at first, wonder about -- and then learn more about -- humankind’s relationship with plastic. In a recent survey, I asked 8th grade students whether they recycle plastic, dispose of it in the garbage, or litter it. One student responded, explaining that though he does recycle plastic, he throws it in the garbage and litters it more often than not (Albanese).

This is a significant problem because when plastic is simply discarded, it will eventually be ingested by animals, none of whom have digestive systems built to digest plastic. Even if many of us are unaware, plastic kills turtles and other organisms, specifically marine life. Not to mention if we eat animals that have plastic in their digestive system, we will eventually ingest plastic ourselves. It is for this reason and many more that I certainly don't think plastic is worth the consequences that it brings. 

The worst thing about this is that most people have no idea about the problems of plastic and so they continue to consume it recklessly. In fact, an article entitled Should Bottled Water Be Banned? estimates that, “By 2050 there will be more plastic waste by weight in the oceans than fish” (Should Bottled). This suggests that the rate at which plastic is being used and subsequently discarded is frighteningly high and will have alarming consequences for wildlife. For example, according to research scientists, “When turtles eat plastic, it can block their intestinal system (their guts). Therefore, they can no longer eat properly, which can kill them” (Hardesty and Schuyler). Even after learning this information many people may not care. Maybe you had a bad experience with marine life, and if so, you might not care about killing turtles. It’s more likely that, like the above 8th grader in my opening anecdote, you are not aware of your actions because marine life isn’t something you interact with every day. 

However, you most likely care about money and cars because you do interact with these items on a daily basis. Plastic is made from oil; a nonrenewable resource because of this our earth will eventually run out of it (Hardesty and Schuyler). Considering that oil also powers many vehicles such as cars and planes, by using plastic you are putting yourself in a position in which you cannot travel to your favorite vacation spot, or simply travel to a nearby town. 

If you still think that plastic serves a vital purpose like the 93% of Americans who think that bottled water should be available wherever drinks are sold (Should Bottled), then you are simply mistaken. If bottled water were to be banned or restricted, then bottled water makers would be forced to make their product in a different bottle. If this were the case, then you would still have the water that you feel is necessary. Even so, bottled water truly is not necessary. There is still tap water, which some consider to be healthier than the water they bought from elegant springs. After sitting in plastic for long periods of time the bottled water that you are drinking most likely contains trace amounts of plastic which could lead to health problems (Commercially Bottled). In addition, not all locations that bottled water comes from are really what the manufacturers advertise. For instance, Aquafina is really just tap water!