Final answer:
Approximately 11.2% of material in landfills is composed of plastics, which pose significant environmental challenges due to their longevity and low recycling rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
Approximately 11.2% of material in landfills comes from plastics. Plastics are a significant concern because they largely remain intact in landfill conditions, with items like plastic bottles taking up to 450 years to decompose. Furthermore, the rate of plastic waste generation is on the rise due to the production of more single-use plastics, representing a growing challenge for waste management and environmental sustainability.
Although plastics are ubiquitous in modern life and offer significant benefits, the challenges associated with plastic waste, including the fact that only 9% of plastic ever produced has been recycled, present a significant concern. Plastics not only take up landfill space but also pose risks to wildlife and ecosystems, and their incineration can release harmful carcinogens into the air.
Efforts in recycling and proper waste disposal are essential to address the problem of plastic waste. With better waste management practices and possibly innovative recycling technologies in the future, we may find more sustainable solutions to the plastic waste problem.