The amount of plastic waste that is ruining our planet is staggering; there is a plastic waste island in the Pacific Ocean that measures a frightening 1.6 million km2, and if that isn’t enough to make you worry, we’re not sure what is.
Even if all seems lost and the battle against plastic is something we just can’t win, that’s not the reality. The reality is that if we all pull together and everyone does their part, the amount of plastic waste we have in our world will reduce. Even if it’s a slow process, it’s certainly better than nothing. Read on to find out how you can help.
Recycle
To begin with, the biggest impact you can have on the amount of plastic waste that the planet produces is to recycle as much as possible. If you’ve not done it before, recycling can be a hard habit to get into, but it’s worth it. The best way to start is by slowing down; whenever you are about to throw something in the bin, take a moment to read the label, and that way, you’ll know whether it’s recyclable or not.
You could also have two bins in your home – one for normal waste and one for recyclable materials. It will make separating everything a much less arduous task. Plus, when you are having a big clear out and organising skip hire, make sure the company you pick recycles any plastic waste they take away.
Avoid Single-Use Plastics
Without a doubt, single-use plastics are the biggest issue when it comes to plastic waste. Single-use plastic includes items such as:
- Straws
- Bags
- Cutlery
- Sachets
- Wrappers
- Bottles
These are, as the name suggests, used once and then thrown away. It is a big waste, it costs a lot of money, and it’s terrible for the environment. This is why it’s so important to avoid using single-use plastics wherever possible.
There are plenty of viable alternatives that you can buy and keep to use over and over, so there is no reason for single-use plastics to still be in use. If you do find that you are using them, try to cut down as much as you can and ensure they are recycled properly when you’re done with them.
Take A Cloth Bag When You Go Shopping
Going to the supermarket is often a weekly task, and sometimes it’s more regular even than that. If you use plastic bags when you go to the shops, you’ll be charged for them – the price is 5p per bag at the moment, although it might be 10p per bag for the larger, thicker ones. These larger bags are intended to be used over and over, and this is a good idea in theory, although the reality is that these thicker bags could be doing more harm than good.
It’s better to use cloth bags instead. These bags can be picked up from all kinds of different places, including, of course, online. You can choose any colour you like, any style, you can even personalise them and make them entirely unique, and at the same time if you use these items for shopping, you are helping the planet massively.
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