Question

Taiwan is taking the initiative to get rid of ocean plastics. They are banning some things like plastic bags, straws, utensils, etc.. Would you personally support this initiative? Explain. Do you think the United States would be ready to enact this type of legislation? Explain why or why not.

Answer 1

It is the latest push by Taiwan to cut waste and pollution after introducing a recycling programme and charges for plastic bags. Its new plan will force major chain restaurants to stop providing plastic straws for in-store use from 2019, a requirement that will expand to all dining outlets in 2020.

Over a few decades, humans have managed to dump tons upon tons of garbage into the ocean. Of the most devastating elements of this pollution is that plastics takes thousands of years to decay. As a result, fish and wildlife are becoming intoxicated. Consequently the toxins from the plastics have entered the food chain, threatening human health.

1. Plastic threatens the existence of the life under water right from smaller fishes to huge mammals and amphibians in several ways. Reports say that around one million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals are killed every due to plastic ingestion.

2. In addition to fish, Sea turtles are the other important victims of plastic pollution in the waters. Similar to fish and other marine beings, Sea turtles also consume plastic garbage as food, leading to blockage in the gut and ulceration, and eventually to death.

3. Dispensation of hazardous materials, including toxic substance such as Bisphenol A, which has been found commonly in many plastic commodities, pollutes the water badly. Since Bisphenol A doesn’t get diluted in water, it results in grave environmental problems.

4. It is also a threat to humans, as plastics enter into us through food chain.

So, I personally support Taiwan's initiative for banning plastics.

I think US would really support this initiative as US is bound by the principles of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).