5 Simple ways to reduce plastic waste

 

Plastics were once seen as miraculous materials that catered perfectly to our culture of convenience – cheap, lightweight, easily mass-produced and simply thrown away after use. However, we soon came to realise that plastics are a lot harder to get rid of, than to create.

Most plastic materials never completely degrade; they remain in our environment, slowly being broken up into smaller and smaller pieces, and whilst recycling programmes have been put in place across developed countries, it is thought that just 5% of plastics are recycled effectively, with 40% ending up in landfill and over 30% in the environment. The rest is burnt, creating energy but also consuming more fossil fuels in order to manufacture new plastic materials that are forever demanded by our economies.

In the developing world, this explosion in demand for cheap and easily disposable products has grown faster than the ability to deal with the huge amount of plastic waste generated in these booming consumer societies. In fact, just 5 countries are responsible for over half the total amount of waste in our oceans – China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

Over 80% of the plastic waste in our oceans actually originates on land and three quarters of that comes from uncollected waste or litter. This ‘plastic leakage’ results in 8 million metric tons of plastic materials entering our oceans every year. Today the amount of plastic waste in our oceans has reached a critical level – plastic waste has been found in the deepest parts of the oceans, on remote beaches far from sources of pollution and in vast, diffuse gyres made up of trillions of plastic particles. Unless we tackle the source of this plastic ’smog’, it is predicted that by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish by weight in our oceans.

What are the main culprits?

The B.A.N. list 2.0 released by the 5 Gyres organisation looks at how often different types of plastic pollution were found in the marine or coastal environments the USA, and whilst the results may not be directly applicable to the developing world, this list serves as an extremely useful guide to identifying the different types of visible waste – a hit list of the worst plastic offenders in our marine environment.

• Food wrappers – 18.6%
• Bottle caps – 16.7%
• Beverage bottles – 12%
• Bags – 9.4%
• Straws and stirrers – 7.5%
• Lids – 5.1%
• Utensils – 4.9%
• Cigarette butts – 3.2%
• Take out containers, foam – 3.2%
• Take out containers, plastic – 3.0%

So, what can I do?

The best way to reduce the amount of plastic waste entering our oceans is to simply cut it off at the source and reduce the amount that is actually used in the first place. As well as reducing waste, this has the added benefit of reducing the consumption of the fossil fuels used to create plastics in the first place. As consumers, we can choose to buy products without packaging, carry our own water bottle, refuse straws and use our own reusable shopping bags – everyday acts that will significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste you are responsible for.

1. Carry a reusable shopping bag

On average a plastic bag is used for just 12 minutes, and yet can persist in the environment for decades. They are difficult to recycle and have very little value even if collected, making them extremely difficult to manage effectively. The choice here is simple – buy your own shopping bag that you can use again and again. Cloth bags are perfect for all sorts of uses and can easily be folded away and carried around for when you need it. And don’t be afraid to say no when offered a plastic bag when shopping – it is the perfect opportunity to again explain why you are turning it down.

2. Say no to plastic straws

It is thought that over 500 million straws are used every day in the USA, none of which are recyclable due to the materials used and their small size. Whilst many end up in landfill or are burnt, a huge amount leak into the environment – plastic straws are one of the commonest sources of ocean waste. An alternative? Well, first ask yourself if you really need that straw. If the answer is really yes, then carry a reusable and washable metal or bamboo straw with you. Bamboo has the added benefit of being extremely fast growing and perfect for rehabilitating degraded forest land.

3. Use your own takeaway cup

Styrofoam disposable cups and their plastic lids are a significant source of ocean waste. The foam material gradually breaks down, but the remaining particles can persist for decades. And neither the cups or the lids are easily recyclable. Once again, the figures are extraordinary – it is thought that 25 billion expanded polystyrene foam cups are used every year in the USA alone; the figure for the entire globe is incalculable. If you must get a takeaway coffee, then bring your own reusable and insulated cup – not only will it reduce your plastic footprint, but it will also keep you coffee hotter for longer!

4. Carry reusable containers

Much like disposable coffee cups and their lids, plastic styrofoam food containers litter beaches across the globe and are found drifting in the furthest reaches of our oceans. Making a switch to your own containers is easy to do – ideally glass or metal containers, but even plastic tupperware is better than nothing – it is at least reusable! Get in the habit of having a set of containers, a cloth shopping bag and a water bottle with you wherever you need them.

5. Switch to Hydrte Bottles

Hydrte was launched in 2019 with one main goal in mind, to produce a water bottle that helped significantly reduce single-use plastic consumption, whilst being stylish & convenient.
One million single-use plastic water bottles are sold every 60 seconds worldwide.
This is a huge problem for our planet.
60% of these bottles end up in landfill or even our rivers and oceans.

The Hydrte bottle was designed in London, inspired by the busy lifestyle of the city itself. The shape of the Hydrte bottle is unique, practical and convenient.
Its flat slim shape was designed to offer a high-quality feel, whilst maintaining a sleek look. It comfortably fits into handbags, laptop bags, backpacks and just about anywhere else!
You really can stay hydrated whenever, wherever!
For the recommended daily amount of hydration, use tap water and this reusable bottle instead of buying bottled drinks, you could save an average of around £800/$1,000+ per year.
It’s time to stay hydrated in style

Credits – http://www.zubludiving.com