For centuries, historians, archeologists and scientists have been referring to the different stages of human evolution by naming them after the most popular technologies that were used. Some examples are the Stone Age, the Bronze Age or the Iron Age. The age we find ourselves living in now is often referred to as the Plastic Age.
Plastic has redefined the way we live and has completely changed the production of objects we surround ourselves with. If you look around right now you will notice that most, if not all of the objects surrounding you are made entirely or partially of plastic.
The main reason why the Plastic Age cannot be compared to the Stone Age or the Bronze Age is because plastic is completely human made. If it wasn’t for humans, plastic would not exist, it cannot be found in nature. It’s unbelievable that since the first plastic polymer was made, about 6 billion tons of plastic has been produced!
Unfortunately, most types of plastics cannot be degraded, recycled or processed. Although some are, there millions of tons more that are thrown away and spread in forests and oceans. Plastic remains will still be found in a million years, layers of trash will be the main thing we will be leaving behind. The remains that archeologists will be analysing will be pieces of plastic!
The Plastic Age has got to the point that in just a few decades it is predicted that there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish! Although the damage has already been done it is not too late to start to make a difference. It may seem impossible to live without plastic now that it is everywhere, but if we dedicate enough time and effort to the cause we will be able to slowly make a difference.
Bianca Lucini
