Single-use plastic bottles are a serious environmental problem because they contribute significantly to global pollution and waste. These bottles are often used for just a few minutes but can take hundreds of years to break down in the environment. Many end up in landfills, rivers, and oceans, where they harm wildlife and leach harmful chemicals into ecosystems. The production of plastic bottles also consumes large amounts of fossil fuels and water, adding to greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion. Despite recycling efforts, only a small percentage of plastic bottles are actually recycled, making reduction and reuse critical to addressing this growing issue.