If it ain't broke, don't fix it - But this needs Fixing - Plastic Pollution

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Our planet’s plea is simple - “If it ain't broke, don’t fix it,” — but with plastic pollution… it’s broken, buddy. And we definitely need to fix it.

Here’s a hard truth wrapped in soft plastic - we’re drowning in the stuff.

Plastic was once a miracle material. Lightweight, durable, waterproof—what’s not to love? But decades later, it’s less miracle, more menace. We now produce over 400 million tons of plastic every year, and about half of that is designed to be used once and tossed. Wrap your sandwich in it. Peel it off a new appliance. Drink water from it. Toss. Repeat.

Recycling, you ask -  Don’t get your hopes up. Despite all those blue bins and hopeful arrows, only about 9% of plastic ever gets recycled globally. In the U.S., it's closer to 5%. That means the vast majority either ends up buried in landfills, burned into the atmosphere, or floating freely in rivers and oceans. And it doesn’t just vanish. Plastic can take hundreds of years to break down—if it ever really does.

Where’s it all going?

Let’s take a peek at the plastic trail of terror.

Every year, an estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the oceans. That’s the equivalent of a full garbage truck dumping its load into the sea every single minute. Some of it breaks down into microplastics—tiny particles smaller than a sesame seed. Others just float, snagging turtles or being mistaken for jellyfish by hungry whales.

What’s worse? These plastics are now showing up where they absolutely shouldn’t - inside us.

Yep. Microplastics have been detected in human blood, lungs, livers, placentas, and even brains. One 2024 study found plastic particles in the arterial plaque of stroke patients—51 times more than in people without strokes. They’ve also been linked to inflammation, hormone disruption, and potential damage to brain function. And though scientists are still uncovering the long-term effects, here’s a safe bet - none of this is good.

How are we eating plastic if we’re not chewing on grocery bags?

Glad you asked. Microplastics are now in -

– Seafood, especially filter feeders like mussels and oysters

– Salt, harvested from oceans and lakes

– Fruits and vegetables, thanks to plastic-laden irrigation water and soil

– Bottled water, which can contain double the microplastic particles compared to tap water

– Tea bags, if they’re made from nylon or PET plastic

– Even the air we breathe contains microplastic fibers, especially indoors

And then there’s laundry. Synthetic clothing like fleece or polyester sheds plastic fibers in the wash—up to 700,000 per load. Most wastewater plants aren’t equipped to catch them, so they end up in rivers, lakes, oceans - and back into the food chain.

Feeling overwhelmed - You’re not alone.

But here’s the good news - we’re not powerless, every choice you make can help slow the flood.

Try the following -

– Drink tap water instead of bottled (filter it if needed)

– Store and microwave food in glass, not plastic

– Use reusable cloth shopping bags

– Switch to bar soap instead of liquid in plastic bottles

– Avoid synthetic fabrics when possible

– Line-dry clothes to reduce microfiber shedding

– Buy in bulk to cut down on packaging

– Say no to single-use plastic cutlery, straws, and cups

– Use metal or bamboo alternatives

– Speak up—support policies that ban unnecessary plastics and promote safer materials

And don’t fall for the “recycling will fix this” trap. It’s time to rethink the system entirely. We need real investment in alternatives, better waste management, and companies held accountable for the plastic they produce.

The big picture - Plastic pollution isn’t just about unsightly litter. 

It’s about long-term environmental damage, wildlife loss, and now, very real health concerns for humans. We created the plastic problem in just a few decades—and while we can’t undo the damage overnight, we can course-correct.

Even small efforts add up. A reusable water bottle here, a cloth bag there, some advocacy, some smarter shopping—and suddenly, you're not just complaining about the problem. You’re helping fix it.

Stay safe, stay secure and trust me, this one needs fixing.

(AI was used to aid in the creation of this article.)

“I’ll see you again soon. Thanks for reading, watching, and listening — and hey, don’t be a stranger!👋”