From making our streets look messy to leaking toxins into our waterways and harming our wildlife, plastic waste is a BIG problem. Yet, despite growing concern and the presence of a ‘plastic island’ in the Pacific Ocean, little has been done on a large scale to fix it.
But, do things seem to be changing for the better? Maybe. Just recently, for example:
- The EU has pledged to make plastic packaging recyclable by 2030
- The UK introduced a ban on the use of microbeads
- Scotland announced plans for a ban on plastic cotton buds
- London is installing new water fountains to cut-down on the purchase of plastic bottles
However, we can’t relax yet – pointless plastics are everywhere, even protecting our coconuts!
What can you do to help the fight against plastic waste?
The main thing you can do in the fight against plastic waste is to use less in the first place – make environmentally friendly shopping decisions.
Not sure how? Here’s just a few tips to get you started:
- Avoid using plastic bags when shopping – use a bag for life. More on the problem with plastic bags here.
- Be selective when you shop – choose foods with less plastic packaging and avoid those that don’t need it at all, like coconuts and oranges!
- Think about your food storage – do you really need to wrap your leftovers in clingfilm or could you use a reusable alternative?
- Don’t buy bottled water – carry a bottle and refill it where you can
- Use reusable coffee cups rather than takeaway ones – you may even save money as some coffeeshops offer discounts for those using reusable cups
- Say no to plastic straws
- Recycle as much as you can
In addition to cutting down on your plastic use, why not help by removing it from the environment? Join a beach clean!