Plastic can be found everywhere, from the tops of mountains to the bottom of the ocean – and even within us. With plastic used everywhere, plastic pollution is an ever-growing issue. The only way to make a difference is to reduce our single-use plastic consumption.
Reducing our plastic consumption is vital to not just eliminating plastic pollution, but also to protecting our environment, health, and future generations. Plastic takes thousands of years to break down, meaning marine wildlife suffers; soils, food and water resources are contaminated, ultimately damaging our health and becoming a major contributor to climate change.
As plastic breaks down, it becomes microplastics. These are tiny pieces of plastic that are often invisible to the naked eye and appear everywhere. Microplastics are nearly impossible to remove from the environment due to their size, and with the chemicals within plastic, they pose a threat to human health. Read more about microplastics here.
As 33 billion pounds of plastic enters our oceans annually, aquatic ecosystems are destroyed, lakes, rivers, and oceans are polluted, with habitats and natural processes altered. Ecosystems are losing the ability to adapt as climate change increases. Not only does plastic pollution affect the environment, it also impacts us socially and economically.
That is why it is so important that we reduce our single-use plastic usage, if we do not then plastic pollution will continue to grow and contribute to climate change.
Ways to Reduce Single-Use Plastic
Use Reusable Bottles and Coffee Cups
Did you know that 7.7 billion single-use plastic water bottles are used annually? That equates to approximately 21 million single-use water bottles used per day. Not only that but approximately 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups are used in the UK every year, which translates to approximately 7 million cups thrown away each day.
Shocking right? To combat that, it is vital that we swap to reusable water bottles and coffee cups. There are many variations of items to suit all needs. Carry reusable water bottles and coffee cups and refill them on the go. Cafes and establishments offer discounts to those who bring reusable bottles and cups.
Avoid Excessive Plastic Packaging
The packaging sector is the largest contributor to plastic pollution, with 36% of plastics produced used for packaging. Not only does plastic packaging result in our environment after use, but plastic production, use and disposal contribute to about 1.8 billion tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
Make sustainable choices for your weekly shop to minimise plastic packaging as much as possible. Why not make a trip to your local farmers market and take your reusable bags and containers to take products back home? You could even buy in bulk to minimise the plastic packaging you take home. There are many ways to reduce your plastic packaging consumption.
Reusable Shopping Bags, Containers, and Storage
Since 2015, in the UK large retailers have been required to charge 5p per single-use plastic shopping bag and has since increased to 10p. This charge was introduced to encourage customers to bring their own reusable shopping bags to minimise the use of plastic shopping bags. Since the charge, there has been a significant decrease in single-use plastic shopping bags by 85%! Keep up using your reusable shopping bags!
When you buy loose products, such as potatoes, carrots or even strawberries, do you opt for the pre-packaged produce, or do you pick your own and use a reusable container/storage box? Using your own storage container for produce eliminates the single-use packaging that most produce comes in.
Check Your Chewing Gum
Chewing gum contains synthetic polymers (plastics) that do not biodegrade, and when it is discarded on the floor, it contributes to plastic pollution. The chewing gum breaks down into microplastics which enter our environment.
But that doesn’t mean the end of chewing gum as there are plastic-free alternatives available that are made from natural ingredients. Choosing plastic-free alternatives encourages manufacturers to adopt sustainable practices and promotes consumer awareness.
Use Reusable Decorations
Traditional decorations are often made from single-use plastics which are typically used once and then discarded. Whereas plastic-free decorations are designed to be used multiple times, therefore reducing plastic waste.
But what do you do with any decorations you no longer want? Well, you can find someone else that may want them. Why not sell them online, or find someone in your community who may want to buy them or exchange some of their decorations? To help reduce single-use waste even more, before heading to your local store to buy new decorations, try visiting a charity shop or searching online for second-hand reusable decorations to save money and the environment.
Avoid Glitter Where Possible
Glitter is made from plastic and is extremely dangerous to our environment due to its size. However, that doesn’t mean that you should stop using glitter, there are some alternatives are better for the environment.
Find Refill Stations
Although plastic creates plastic pollution, sometimes it is inevitable that we need to use plastic for containers for certain products, such as detergents. To prevent new containers from needing to be made each time you need more detergent, find a local refill station and reuse the container. Refill stations are increasing, so you can find more places to refill your containers.
Refill stations aren’t just for products like detergents, as long as you have a container that can be refilled, then you are fine! For example, if you’re out and about with a water bottle, you can find a refill station for water.
Say No to Single-Use Whilst Out
When out and about, single-use products are often provided in places such as cafes, restaurants, bars, and event venues. Refusing single-use items such as straws, bags, bottles and cutlery, reduces the amount of plastic waste generated.
Did you know that single-use bottles, takeaway food containers, disposable cups, straws and cutlery, and plastic bags are in the top 10 single-use products found in the ocean? That means it is essential to stop using single-use plastic products as much as possible in order to prevent these products from entering our environment.
Stop Littering Cigarette Butts
Did you know that there is plastic in the filters of cigarettes? So not only are cigarettes unhealthy for you, but you are also damaging the environment as well as yourself. Each time you drop the butt of a cigarette onto the floor, you are allowing plastic to enter our environment.
Shop Zero Waste
Although it can be difficult to go completely zero waste-free in a typical store, there are other options. There are various markets available that make it easier to shop zero-waste-free. Shop locally at food markets and farmers' markets for a great selection of fresh produce and cut-out plastic.
Not only will you reduce the amount of plastic packaging you’ll be using, but you will also limit the amount of carbon emissions emitted during transportation.
How to Maintain These Habits
Now that you’ve implemented some of these habits into your life, you’ll need to keep up these habits to help the environment. Here are a few ways on how you can maintain these habits:
Stay informed on sustainability – follow sustainable brands and organisations.
Start small and gradually increase these habits.
Create reminders to enforce these habits.
Keep reusable items handy, such as reusable bags, bottles, and food containers.
Engage with people around you to spread awareness of sustainability.
