Plastic in everyday life: Alternative way to reduce plastic uses.
So much plastic!
We see it on our
beaches, in our sewers and storm drains, wedged into trees, behind bushes, and
even in the stomachs of dead animals, but for whatever reason we still use
massive amounts of single-use plastic on a daily basis.
Humanity has created
more than 8.3 billion tons of plastic waste since the 1950s and we show no
signs of slowing down. With our use of plastic set to increase by 40% in the
next ten years, this paints a depressing picture for the future of our world.
From the medical industry to food packaging, it has many uses. It's durable,
lightweight, and inexpensive to manufacture, making it the perfect solution for
our fast-growing and fast-paced society. But what happens when we are done with
it?
The answer is: it
almost always becomes landfill or garbage!
Of the 8.3 billion tons
of plastic that we have created, only 9% has been recycled, the rest goes to landfill
or ends up in the ocean due to irresponsible waste habits. Plastic makes up a
total of 80% of marine debris in the ocean, it even accumulates in places to
form large islands of garbage that are visible from space! It is deadly to
marine animals and ecosystems, breaking down into tiny microplastics that
absorb toxins from the ocean and become dangerous if consumed. Because plastic
is so durable, it can take up to 1,000 years to break down. By 2050 there will
be more plastic in the ocean than fish and 12 billion tons of plastic in
landfills.
It is a huge problem
that gets worse every day. So why do we keep using plastic when we know all
this?
The reality is that
people are busy and always on the go, it is very difficult to give up something
we depend on so much. When we get these devastating facts, it is overwhelming
and difficult to understand, it is obvious that something must change and the
plastic must disappear.
The good news is that
it is not difficult to get started. If we all start to stop using plastics,
especially single use plastics, we can start to make a big change. Living
without plastic is feasible, we just have to start small.
Plastics in motion
It is difficult to be
sustainable on the go, but with a little effort it is possible.
Use save cups for your coffee
Australians use around
1 billion disposable cups of coffee each year and dispose of around 2,700,000 a
day. The worst part about this is that these single-use cups cannot be
recycled. The glasses are covered with a layer of polyurethane plastic so that
they can contain drinks and to pass sanitary standards they must be made of
virgin materials. This means that there is no way for the cups to be made from
recycled paper or to recycle themselves. Non-reusable cups are an unsustainable
and wasteful product that ends up in a landfill or in our precious oceans.
Fortunately, it is easy to cut them out of your life. Buy a reusable cup and
get in the habit of taking it with you wherever you go. It is an easy step to
take and is a much better alternative to paper, some cafes even offer small
discounts to users of reusable cups.
Non-stick wax wrap
Clingwrap is a common
item in the lunch box and for some it is essential. Keeps food fresh and then
thrown away after just one use. Instead of using this wasteful product, invest
in some reusable containers or, better yet, beeswax wraps (cotton cloth
impregnated with natural beeswax). They are more affordable in the long run and
a much more sustainable option.
Reusable water bottles.
Around the world, a
million plastic bottles are bought every minute! Carrying a reusable water
bottle is an easy habit to integrate into your daily life. It is cheaper than
bottled water and today there are taps everywhere to refill the bottle.
Avoid Plastics in stores
Supermarkets are full
of single-use plastic products and it's a struggle to avoid them altogether.
However, we can reduce the amount we buy.
Choose sustainable packaging
When choosing a
product, opt for one packaged in a cardboard or glass box whenever possible.
Look for the recycling symbol on your plastic products and recycle them when
you're done.
Reusable bags
At the beginning of
last year, Australia took the much-needed step towards a more sustainable
future, banning free plastic bags at major retail chains. This resulted in an
80% decrease in the number of plastic bags consumed. It shows that we can
change our ways in terms of plastic consumption. Reusable cloth bags (instead
of plastic ones) are sustainable and biodegrade quicker than plastic.
Bulk purchases
In addition to saving
money, when you buy your food in bulk, minimize the amount of plastic you use
by eliminating packaging. It takes a little more time, but is much more beneficial
for the environment and the economy.
Plastics at the party
scene must avoid
Parties can be a
terrible consumer of single-use plastics! From cutlery to decorations, plastic
is an easy solution for the event at the time, however it is a very
unsustainable habit and it is about time we removed the invitation from
plastics to the party.
Bamboo plates and cutlery
Some recycling
companies accept plastic cups, plates, knives, forks, and spoons, but most do
not, as it is not profitable. Bamboo plates and cutlery are biodegradable and
are a great way to avoid plastic and avoid washing.
Party without balloons
Another culprit of the
party is the balloons. They can look pretty in the moment and entertain the
kids for a bit, but after that time, if they don't end up on the embankment,
they either explode and the rubber remains on the ground, or they float and
end. in the ocean. Balloons are not biodegradable and, once in the ocean, they
are consumed by marine life, which most of the time kills them.
But don't despair,
there are other ways to make your party "pop" like flowers, flags, or
even bubbles.
Say no to confetti
Confetti is fun, but
all the confetti is unlikely to end up in the bin by the end of the party. Like
all trash-filled plastics that end up in our waterways, confetti doesn't break
down and turn into harmful microplastics. If you're still determined to use
confetti, consider the eco-friendly version of replacing with petals or making
sure they're sourced from organic material that decays.
A future without
plastic!
It's going to take a
lot of effort as a society to kick our plastic habit, but as you can see, it's
not too difficult to get started. Before buying your next plastic item, think
about:
Do you really need
this?
Is there a renewable
alternative?
If there's no way
around it, when it's time to dispose of your item, consider whether you or
someone else could reuse it, then recycle or dispose of it responsibly.
It can be a bit awkward
at times, but kicking your non-reusable plastic habits is essential for us to
work together to move towards a more sustainable future.
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