Plastic poses several environmental risks, including leaching chemicals and toxins into surrounding ecosystems, threatening the health of local animal populations, and releasing greenhouse gases into the air. plastic is non-biodegradable. The negative effects of plastic vary depending on the type of plastic in the environment, quantity, and length of exposure time. Plastics contain compounds, such as PVC and BPA, elements deemed a health risk to humans and animals while the leaching of these compounds into air and waterways poses a health and safety risk for nearby organisms.