One of the major environmental issues that is being talked about all over the world is plastic pollution. Over the last few decades, the amount of plastic waste in the beaches, oceans and even in the waste dumping grounds has increased exponentially. From straws to the single-use packs- plastic seems to be everywhere. There is no doubt about the fact that we are living in an era which has excess plastic and we all know that this is bad.
The question is, therefore, what can we do about this problem of plastic pollution?
Actually, there are so many things that we can do- both conventional and unconventional. Perhaps you have already taken some of these steps. Maybe you can do a little bit more. I myself have become progressively obsessed over the past couple of years about reducing my plastic footprint. I know that I might never be able to fit my year’s worth of junk into a mason jar. But I definitely know that I can try to be better at this every year.
Here is a cool tool that you can use to assess your current plastic footprint based on your consumption habits.
But here’s the catch.
Going plastic-less can be tricky at times. Especially if you have to do it on a budget. Bulk stores are not always accessible and even if they are, you might not be inclined to buy pounds of flour at a time. Other than that, non-plastic packaging can be hard to find as well. Moreover, there are certain things for which sticking to a particular brand is a necessity, even if it means that you have to use more plastic ( for example, particular skincare products for sensitive skin).
However, there is always something that can be done to help the environment. No deed is ever too small when it comes to being responsible consumers and drops do make an ocean after all. Let’s take a look at some of the things that we can all do to tackle the problem of too much plastic.
But before that, let’s take a trip down the lanes of history.
Plastic- The Boon that became a Bane
The word plastic essentially refers to a material that is “pliable and can be made into any shape”. However, the material that commonly comes to our minds when we hear the word plastic is actually a synthetic polymer. Polymers are found naturally in the environment as well (cellulose is a natural polymer).
In 1869, the first man-made polymer was created by John Wesley Hyatt. He derived an alternative for ivory by treating the cellulose derived from the cotton fiber with camphor. It was moldable into any shape and quite durable in nature.
The plastic as we know today was invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland and he called it Bakelite. It was the first fully synthetic polymer (containing no naturally found polymer molecules) and was created as a substitute for shellac.
Hence, the initial plastics were all supposed to be a better alternative to natural endangered products- ivory and shellac. However, over the period of the next century, plastic evolved and metamorphosized into something which became less of a boon and more of a bane.
Do you realize that all the plastic and plastic pollution in the world is just a hundred years old?
Imagine what will happen if this goes on for another 100 years. For example, according to estimates, annually about 1.1 to 8.8 million metric tonnes (MT) of plastic waste enters into our water bodies (mainly oceans) from coastal communities. That number is nothing short of mind-numbing.
The reason plastic is so bad for the environment is because it is undegradable. That means if it is not recycled responsibly, it just piles up and up. But we all know these things by now. I cannot say anything new or bring exclusive metrics to harp on the fact that too much plastic is killing our planet.
Moreover, just talking about this is not going to solve the real issue. We use plastic because it is everywhere. The system around us has made plastic the norm and following an alternative and eco-friendly lifestyle can be difficult at times.
However, even then, I believe there are steps that we can take to do our part in saving this planet. After all, it is our home and our only refuge. And so, with a new year and a decade just around the corner, here are 12 changes and habits that we all can pursue to reduce our plastic footprints in the coming days.
1. Refuse single-use plastic
This is the first thing that we can change in our lives, that is, if not already done. Simple refusal for that straw or taking your own bag for grocery shopping are the easy first steps that you can take. You can get more ideas in this previous article on the blog.
2. Plastic alternates
The next step is to replace plastics with other eco-friendly materials, as much as possible. Bamboo toothbrushes, metal containers, woven mesh produce bags, metal straws are just some of the examples.
3. Recycle
Recycle whenever possible. By now, this should be the norm. However, a lot of places do not have the facilities for recycling plastics properly. And that’s where the next point comes in.
4. Reuse
Recycling is not always an option, especially in most of the developing nations. But we can always reuse those plastic bottles and jars. Get creative with things when thinking of ways to reuse plastic containers. Maybe, you could use some of them as planters in your garden? Here are some crazy ideas to that extent.
5. Join a clean-up activity
One of the recent stories that made headlines all over the world was about the beach cleanup in Mumbai, which resulted in olive ridley turtles laying eggs on the Versova beach after decades. This one incident goes on to show the immense possibilities our actions have in making a positive impact.
Volunteer to join a local group in your city that is hosting clean-up activities. Nowadays, you can find a host of such efforts going on in urban areas. It can be for cleaning a beach or a river bank or even a park. Some places where you can find such groups are through social networking sites, city’s volunteering website or even Meetup.
6. Bulk buy if possible
While traditional bulk-buying may not always be possible, especially if you do not have a bulk store in your locality, there are other ways to do it. For example, instead of single-serve packages, you can opt for the bigger ones with a little adjustment to your lifestyle. If you absolutely have to buy something that comes packaged in plastic, see if you can at least get a big one instead of 5 small containers. And then maybe you can reuse that container for some other purpose *wink*.
7. Avoid microbeads
Microbeads are those minuscule colored particles in your body scrub. These are plastic pieces that are less than 1 mm in diameter and are not bio-degradable. And because of the size, they aren’t recyclable either. So, the microbeads from various cosmetic and other products ultimately wash down to the oceans and pollute them.
While several countries, including the US, have banned or limited the usage of microbeads, there is more that needs to be done. A simple step would be to consciously not buy products with microbeads in them. Nowadays, most of the cosmetic and skincare brands manufacture alternatives that are cheaper and more environmentally viable.
8. Take notice of the clothes you wear
Ever thought about how the clothes we wear every day can contribute to plastic pollution? One of the costs of fast fashion is the huge amount of clothing waste that the average individual creates. These clothes are mostly made of synthetic fibers a.k.a plastic. That is the reason why these clothes going to the dumping ground is such bad news.
Now, buying organic fabrics like cotton or linen is expensive. And even then, not all manufacturers provide 100% natural fibers. So what can you do in that case? Well, the obvious choice is to not buy fast fashion at all and opt for sustainable clothing brands and thrift stores. Another measure that can be taken is to wear your clothes for a longer time. It is really not necessary to have a new outfit every time you go out. The planet is way more important than all of our Instagram pictures. #Justsaying.
9. Stop buying plastic water bottles
This one is a no-brainer of course. Carry your own water bottle instead of buying those plastic ones. Like seriously, most of us can actually do this if we want to. And we should already be doing it.
10. Say no to plastic balloons
Did you know that plastic balloons are a common pollutant that is found in the oceans? Seabirds who swallow these balloons get fatally injured. While it pains the child in me to say this, but it is time that we restrict the use of rubber or plastic balloons for celebrations.
11. Support organizations who are working in this field
In today’s world, there are numerous organizations that are working relentlessly to reduce plastic pollution worldwide. Find out an org that resonates with your beliefs and support them in their endeavor. Even a small contribution can go a long way when given intentionally.
12. Read and spread the word
The best thing that we can do in this scenario is perhaps to arm ourselves with knowledge and then spread awareness. If more people listen and learn and implement changes, then the impact will be significant in the fight against plastic pollution.
In Conclusion
Whenever I see a post on the environmental effects of plastic pollution on social media, I am reminded that this fight has been going on for so long. There are so many people worldwide who are dedicating their lives to this cause. But it has not been enough. In fact, the work that needs to be done increases with each passing moment. At such a critical juncture, when our home is being threatened by so many environmental issues, even the smallest step towards the right direction can have serious positive impacts.
With that thought in mind, I hope that we decide to do the right thing. After all, as the now-famous saying goes-
“There is no planet B”.
Peace.
Do you have any related experience or story to tell? Please share in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.
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