Wave away the plastic today!
You can get rid of zits, bugs (both software and otherwise), and bad odour; however, there is one thing you can't get rid of: plastic. Plastic is used for everything today because of its low cost of production. From your toothbrush to your razor, everything is made of plastic. The effects of plastic on the environment and human health are hazardous.
On average, plastic takes 1000 years to decompose. But even then, it degrades into toxic materials in the environment around it. A thousand years is a long time! The least we can do is to follow at least 10 ways to reduce plastic pollution effectively.
The effects of plastic on the environment
The effects of plastic pollution worsen when plastics are incinerated. In many parts of the world, waste management systems include burning waste. Plastic, though, releases poisonous greenhouse gases upon incineration.
Plastic is known to cause soil and air pollution. The synthetic product releases harmful toxins upon decomposition in landfills.
You can help reduce these harmful effects by adopting some eco-friendly practices. Some ways to reduce plastic pollution include replacing plastic with eco-friendly products where ever possible.
Tips to Reduce Plastic Use in Daily Life
Aren’t you tired of seeing plastic littering nature trails and footpaths in your city? Plastic is one of the greatest polluters in our world. It’s everywhere on land and in the ocean. Here are 10 ways to reduce plastic pollution that you can use to start your eco-journey.
1. Reuse, reduce, and recycle all the way
Carry your cotton tote bag when you’re out shopping. There are so many attractive options of cotton shopping bags that you can choose from.
Take these bags with you the next time you go out grocery shopping!
2. Glass and steel make everything better
Consider replacing your normal Tupperware with glass and steel containers. This is probably the most economical way to reduce plastic use. While Tupperware is reusable, they are ultimately plastic that will end up in landfills. When eating out, you can opt to carry a steel container. And voila! You have a reusable and environmentally friendly box to pack any leftovers.
Pair your reusable box with a steel straw when you’re out and drink eco-style. Just make sure you let your waiter know in advance not to bring you a straw.
3. Make biodegradable a staple
Renewable products degrade quickly and easily without releasing too many greenhouse gases. For instance, tissues and napkins made from bamboo pulp are 100% biodegradable and toxin-free.
Bamboo-based wet wipes and a charcoal-activated bamboo toothbrush can significantly reduce plastic use.
4. Single-Use is Yesterday’s News
Did you know that 90% of the trash that ends up in the oceans is plastic? You must have seen videos and images of the effect of plastic on marine life. Marine animals mistake this plastic for food which eventually leads them to starvation.
Cotton buds, straws, and single-use plastics cause irreparable damage to wild and marine life. You can replace single-use plastics with biodegradable ones like cotton buds made with recycled paper.
5. Hack the Pack
One of the most pressing issues today is to find a product not packaged in plastic. If you cannot avoid plastic packaging, ensure it is recycled plastic and is further recyclable. While shopping, you can also watch out for products packed in cardboard or paper bags. It will reduce your plastic use considerably.
You can look for companies like Beco that sell essentials like toilet tissue roll and other items in paper packaging.
6. Composting is the way
The best way to reduce plastic waste is to switch to compostable or biodegradable garbage bags. Compostable garbage bags are less harmful to the environment and usually biodegrade within six months. You know you can even use compostable bags to start composting in your garden. Isn’t that cool?
7. Keep it local
Shop local and buy fresh fruits and veggies from your nearest farmer’s market. Skip purchasing pre-cut or packaged foods and drinks from the grocery. Instead, you can find a way to reduce plastic waste by shopping for fresh produce.
Buy some wheat and have it ground at the neighbourhood mill. Pick up fresh fruits to make some fresh juices to store in a glass bottle. Better for your health and the environment!
8. Bottle up!
Instead of buying packaged water or coffee, consider carrying a reusable bottle or cup. Just ask at the counter for the barista to fill your reusable cup. And he/she will happily comply while gifting you some caffeine goodness.
Similarly, you can refill your water bottle at refilling kiosks at stations. Or you can even pop into a restaurant and ask if they would fill up the bottle for you.
9. Groom with nature
Take care of your appearance and the environment!
Do you replace your toothbrush every six months? How about your comb? Do you also recycle the toothbrushes to clean like the rest of us? No matter how many steps we take, the brush eventually ends up in a landfill.
To avoid crowding the landfills with more plastic, why don’t you try bamboo toothbrushes? These brushes are reusable, and their biodegradable properties make them a boon to the environment. Get a personal care kit with a neem comb, bamboo toothbrushes and reusable tongue cleaners.
10. Local dairy is your health fairy
Seek out a dairy in your neighbourhood to deliver you fresh milk. No more bagged milk means no more plastic pollution. Either have them deliver the milk to you in glass bottles, or better yet, go old school! Do you remember the time when the milkman used to come to your house on his cycle? And you would rush to the door with a steel vessel for the milk.
Simpler times and better times, wouldn’t you agree?
Immediate action is required to reduce plastic pollution
The problem with plastic is that it has now become impossible to recycle. Only 1% to 3% of plastic is recycled around the world. The rest ends up in either landfills or our oceans.
The effects of plastic on the environment are huge. Plastic does not biodegrade; it breaks down and becomes a part of the environment around it. This process can usually take anything from 700 to 1000 years.
We need to reduce plastic pollution to diminish our greenhouse gas emissions significantly. In 2019 alone, plastic caused 1.8 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Introducing a circular economy that eliminates the need for plastic can drastically lower our greenhouse gas emissions by 25%.
The global effects of using plastic can only be eliminated with the participation of every individual. Our economy can only flourish when we shift to more sustainable practices.
The eco-friendly tips above can help you start your journey to a green future. Shop at Beco today and help the environment recover from our irresponsible use of plastic!