Extensive use of synthetic polymers has led to certain environmental hazards, making with a matter of global concern, plastic proved to be a magical material for the world because of its properties, but it has a negative side also.

They are:

1. Plastic cause health hazards and are very harmful to the environment, as they are non-biodegradable and cannot be decomposed by micro-organisms.
2. Hence they prevent rain water from seeping into the earth and affect plant growth.
3. Plastics lying on roadsides and floating in lakes and streams provide shelter for germs and animals causing diseases.
4. Toxic to aquatic life when placed in water.
5. Produce toxic gases when burnt, hence causing air pollution.
6. Take several years to decompose.
   To avoid these problems we should prevent-
7. By recycling which involved collecting, sorting and processing the plastic.
8. Follow 4R principal – reduce, reuse, recycle and recover.
9. Making use of cotton jute bags while shopping.
10. By dividing the garbage into biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes and hence recycling the non-biodegradable wastes.