Vocabulary
Affordable
inexpensive
convenience
a quality that makes something easy to do
microplastic
-tiny plastic fragments, less than 5mm long
How can stores help?
ban single-use plastic
Artificial
Not natural or real
disposable
Made to be thrown away after one use (or just a few uses)
Why are microplastics dangerous?
-contaminate environments and food chains
-pose health concerns for people and animals, they can be inhaled or ingested (scientists estimate that adults ingest the equivalent of one credit card per week)
Is recycling an effective solution? Is there anything else people can do?
-it can help a little, but reducing consumption would be more effective
-reduce how much we use, switch to reusables
dramatic
extreme
discard
throw away
Where do microplastics come from?
-They break down from larger plastic items like bags, bottles, tires, fishing nets, artificial turf, etc
-microbeads (found in products like toothpaste, face wash and make up), nurdles, glitter
How does plastic trash pile up in countries that don't use it?
It gets carried by ocean currents.
bio
living
decomposer
an organism that breaks down organic material
Give an example of something that biodegrades.
food scraps, paper, cardboard, wood, natural fibers like cotton and wool
Name at least 3 alternatives to plastic.
stainless steel, glass, bees wax coated cloth, natural fiber clothes like cotton, bamboo, pottery, paper, cardboard,
biodegrade
to be decomposed by organisms
astounding
surprising in a way that causes disbelief
Nurdles
-small plastic pellets used to manufacture larger plastic items
Why would banning single-use plastic be an effective step toward solving the pollution problem?
-It would have a very widespread impact on consumers
-would force people to stop using a new plastic bag every time they shop