Plastic Pollution: A Menace to the Society

Abstract

This study reviewed the effect of plastic pollution to the society, as human environment in recent times is 
associated with pollution arising from different sources. One of the sources of environmental pollution is 
plastic. The increased use of plastic by man is in no doubt contributing to the high rate of environmental 
pollution with its associated effects unknown to many people. The objectives of this study were to find out 
the effects of plastic pollution on human life, wildlife and aquatic life.  Findings from the study revealed 
that plastic pollution had negative effects on human, terrestrial (land) animals and aquatic (water) animals. 
It reduces the level of oxygen intake to both aquatic and wildlife, causing suffocation and even death. It 
even causes skin cancer and skin dermatitis to humans. Conclusion was drawn based on the findings, and 
recommendations were made among others that government should promulgate laws prohibiting the 
indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste leading to plastic pollution in the environment. Governments and 
individuals should begin to recycle plastic waste into useful products, especially making bricks for building 
houses - a novel invention.