Answer:
A "negative externality" refers to the harmful effects on society and nature, generated by production and consumption activities, which are not present in their costs. That is, the negative effects are not present in the production price or in the price of the product at the time of consumption.
An example of negative externality is the contamination of surface, underground and marine waters by industrial or urban activities related to the production of plastics and consumption of products that include this element.
The market sells different types of plastics such as polyethylene (present in plastic bags and bottles as well as in cosmetics) polyester, (present in clothing), polypropylene (present in household appliances and vehicle components), and polyvinyl chloride (present in pipes). Many of these plastics go to rivers and seas. It would be appropriate if they were taken to a special place to be incinerated or recycled. But this is not always the case and many of them end up floating in the waters.
The oceans and seas receive a lot of plastics and are a problem with devastating consequences for water quality and the life of marine flora and fauna.
