Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blanks out of the four alternatives.
We are seeing other worrying trends. (1) ______ the 1970s, the rate of plastic production has grown (2) ______ than that of any other material. If historic growth trends continue, global (3)__________ of primary plastic is forecasted to reach 1,100 million tonnes by 2050. We have also seen a (4) ______ shift towards single-use plastic products, items that are meant to be thrown (5) _______ after a single short use.
Select the most appropriate option for blank (5)