The diploma thesis entitled Causes and Consequences of Improper Management of Plastic Waste deals with the problem of environmental pollution with plastic. The introduction presents the problem and purpose of the diploma thesis. The next section contains the characteristics of plastic and its advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most common and useful types of synthetic polymers, plastic additives and microplastics are described. Plastic packaging and types of bioplastics are also presented. The third chapter describes the consequences of environmental pollution with plastic. The consequences of incineration of waste plastics are presented. The problems caused by plastic waste in the environment and their harmfulness to organisms in the seas and oceans are described in detail. A special subsection is devoted to the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in food, water and air, which can affect human health. Chapter 4 contains measures and strategies to reduce the amount of plastic waste, such as recycling, waste separation, incineration and the use of biodegradable plastics. The European Plastics Strategy is presented in particular. The last chapter is devoted to the analysis and findings of a research on people's awareness of the problem of plastic waste and the harmfulness of plastic.
According to the studied literature, the causes of environmental pollution are decades of reckless plastic waste management, inadequate landfill management, increased production and diversity of plastic products, under-recycling, inadequate separation and disposal of plastic waste. The consequences are visible in the global pollution of the environment with plastic waste and microplastics, which pose a risk to the health of various animals as well as humans. Action at EU level is aimed at reusing and recycling plastic waste, innovative solutions and raising public awareness. The results of the research show that people's awareness of the importance of separate waste collection is low. Persons involved in the survey do not adequately separate plastic waste and packaging. They are aware of the harmful effects of plastic and believe that plastic packaging should be replaced by biodegradable packaging. They are willing to give up plastic products, even at the cost of their own comfort.
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