Problem Solving Assignment: Plastic Pollution Learning Objectives: Determine the personal rate of one-time-use plastic products per year Using the individual rate of one-time-use plastic, calculate the time needed for the United States to make the Pacific Garbage Patch Identify ways to decrease 'plastic footprint.' Propose a potential solution for how society can use less plastic Plastic pollution is an environmental concern, one that contributes plastic in all sizes, from microplastics to macro-plastic to the Garbage Patches in the oceans. Each year tons of plastic are improperly discarded, intentionally or not. The addition of plastic to the environment is an issue, but its exact effect on animals, plants, and even people is unknown. Recent studies have even found microplastics in drinking water, fish and beer (Joyce, 2018). Each of us contributes plastic to the environment, but how much? For this problem-solving assignment, you will be tracking the amount of plastic you use during multiple weeks of the course. These data will then be used to extrapolate how much plastic the class uses. You also need to keep a photo diary" of your plastic usage, which will be included in the assignment. Lastly, you need to identify the problem (which is not simply "plastic"), come up with a solution to the problem and then assess the chance of success for the solution. Remember that evaluating the problem includes thinking about how much money it would take or how happy people would be with your solution. You must submit your own and independent work for all portions of the assignment. The assignment is due in segments throughout the semester (please refer to IP). Your identification of the problem, interpretation of the problem, and solution should be at least 1.5 full pages double spaced. You can also include your reaction to the data. You must find at least two additional sources, either a formal journal article or a state or government agency. Information on microplastic pollution and plastic pollution can be found from NOAA, the EPA, and many other websites. Wikipedia will also provide helpful information, but this information will be more general. For each source you use, remember to cite the information using an appropriate format (i.e. APA, MLA, or similar)