HIBT Lab! UNLESS Collective: Eric Liedtke

Environmental Impact

The environmental consequences of plastic waste are staggering, with plastic pollution affecting oceans, landfills, and even the air we breathe. Guy Raz and Eric Liedtke discuss how plastic, once created, never truly disappears, leading to widespread pollution. Eric explains that microplastics are found everywhere, from the deepest ocean trenches to the highest mountains, and even within our bodies 1.

There is no way with plastic, you either put it in the ground, you put it in the air, you put it in the ocean, but it still lives and it still destroys.

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The fashion industry, heavily reliant on polyester—a form of plastic—contributes significantly to this issue. Despite the potential for recycling, the process is fraught with challenges, as many recycling plants lack the capacity to handle various types of plastics 2.

   

Health Risks

The health implications of plastic waste are equally concerning, with microplastics posing significant risks. Eric Liedtke highlights that microplastics are not only pervasive in the environment but also in human bodies, potentially leading to serious health issues 1. These tiny particles can disrupt endocrine systems, affect fertility, and contribute to cognitive disorders and other diseases.

Microplastics you're eating based upon your diet, you're eating about a credit card worth of microplastics a week.

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The research on the long-term effects of microplastics is still developing, but early findings are alarming, especially concerning their impact on younger generations 3.