Read the text and choose the correct answer.
While plastic makes human lives easier, it causes pollution and affects wildlife (23)__________.
Most types of plastic are neither biodegradable nor compostable. Therefore, any plastic that ends up in the local environment will not break down over time, like paper, fruit peel or natural fabrics do. Plastic (24)__________ where it is forever unless it is removed by humans or mistakenly eaten by wildlife.
A huge problem with the plastic that ends up in the environment is the chemicals it (25)__________. Over time, pieces of plastic litter will break into smaller pieces. When plastic breaks into microplastics, it is eaten by wildlife that mistake it for food.
Scarily, these microplastics contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals that are (26)__________ and deadly to local wildlife. These make their way into the food chain, affecting not only the animal that ate the plastic but any animal that then goes (27)__________ to consume the first animal.