Plastic: A Slow Poison

Hazardous chemicals, depleted soil, and dying cattle reveal the true cost of plastic waste.

In continuation of last week’s article, let us look more closely at what plastic waste is doing to our land and soil.

When plastic waste remains on the soil surface for prolonged periods, it slowly releases hazardous chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA). These substances seep into the soil, disrupting its natural composition, weakening soil health, and gradually reducing fertility. What appears to be an inert material on the surface quietly alters the very foundation of agricultural productivity.

The accumulation of plastic waste also disturbs soil chemistry. Studies indicate that while soil organic carbon may increase significantly—in some cases by nearly 34%—essential nutrients decline. This imbalance directly affects plant biomass, limiting healthy crop growth despite the apparent rise in carbon content.

Plastic bags and thin films create another layer of damage. By clogging soil pores, they restrict water infiltration and impede air circulation. The result is poor soil aeration, increased waterlogging, and a steady decline in the soil’s ability to sustain crops efficiently.

The impact extends to life beneath our feet. Microplastics interfere with soil organisms — from bacteria and fungi to larger creatures such as earthworms. These organisms play a critical role in nutrient cycling and soil structure. When their movement and activity are hindered, the soil’s natural capacity to regenerate and remain productive is compromised.

Beyond poor end-of-life management, plastics are increasingly entering soil through agricultural use itself—from mulch films to packaging and irrigation materials—compounding an already serious problem.

Impact of Plastic Waste

Heaps of garbage lie along the roadside — a grim reminder of everything we no longer want. The pile contains discarded food packed in polythene bags, half-eaten meals in open containers, and leftovers casually dumped by nearby residents. Mixed with these are rotting vegetables and other biodegradable waste.

Such a combination produces a foul, overpowering stench that most humans cannot tolerate. Yet that very smell acts as an open invitation to countless other beings.

From millions of microscopic bacteria to houseflies, fruit flies, insects, worms, and rats, garbage becomes a thriving ecosystem. For them, it is less a dump and more a buffet — a ready supply of nourishment available without effort.

Stray dogs and cats soon join in. And then come the cows and bulls.

We may not worry much about flies or rats; scavenging is part of their ecological role. But cows, bulls, and buffaloes are not meant to feed on garbage. So why are they drawn to these toxic heaps?

The answer is painfully simple. The smell of leftover food trapped inside polythene carry bags lures them in. Hungry and unable to distinguish between food and packaging, a cow noses through the waste in search of sustenance. It tries to reach the scraps sealed inside the plastic. Unable to open the bag, it swallows the entire thing.

Cows, bulls, and buffaloes are ruminants. Unlike us, they often swallow food quickly and chew it later. When plastic bags are ingested, they accumulate in the rumen — the first chamber of their stomach. Over time, these indigestible materials build up, blocking the digestive tract.

The consequences are severe. Plastic prevents proper digestion and nutrient absorption. It can cause chronic pain, indigestion, internal injuries, and dangerous obstructions. In many cases, hard masses of plastic form inside the stomach, requiring complex surgery to remove. Without intervention, the animal may slowly starve to death despite having a stomach full of waste.

There are compassionate veterinary surgeons and volunteers who operate on affected cows, removing kilos of polythene bags from their stomachs. Their work is heroic — but not every animal is rescued in time. Hundreds of cattle die each year after consuming plastic.

If cows are revered as sacred, this silent suffering demands attention. The question is not only about waste management. It is also about responsibility.

Will continue… Till then, have a thoughtful and restful weekend.

(The author is an environmentalist.)