Think about it. Why would you choose something that you are going to use once only for a few minutes out of a material that is probably going to outlive you? Then you are just going to bin it in no time at all. How crazy is that? We are talking, of course, about our plastic discards and precisely what this pollution scourge is doing to the environment
What You Can do to Prevent the Plastic Scourge
We offer some tips to find out how you can reduce your plastic waste. The good news is that anyone can get involved. You could start out small, or set yourself and your family up for a serious challenge. We aim to expand further in this article.
Inspiration in Motion
It is so easy to get involved in a worthwhile and effective way to reduce plastic rubbish. This is why the UN chose Plastic Free July as the awareness month to draw every person’s attention to the mounting problem. Each of us could/should get involved and make an effort to thwart the burgeoning plastic crisis. It soon becomes second nature and a no brainer, not just in July but also year-round!
We offer some practical solutions to the mountains of plastic rubbish taking over our shrinking land space, and even polluting our once-pristine rivers and oceans:
# Decorations such as Balloons
This is basic thinking: swap balloons and other single-use plastic party decorations for reusable and eco alternatives. It is the way to go as you celebrate just as effectively and help prevent worsening the impact on an under-stress environment.
# Consider the Bulk Food Shopping Option
Often pre-packaged food and drinks are easy to avoid by shopping at a bulk food outlet, or choosing the loose option at the grocery store. Only you can opt to refuse groceries that use single-use plastic packaging. If everyone does this, it will make a huge difference.
# Kitchen and Bathroom Bin Liners
You have just returned from the supermarket and have unpacked your purchases for storage. What an easy solution it is storing away the many plastic shopping bags for future possible use. Therein lies the problem, because most of us would have to admit guilt to using the plastic shopping bags as bin liners.
So easy, so effective and soon the municipal bin lorry will sweep past and collect all the rubbish discards. This is just the start of a nightmare journey that follows at landfill sites right across the country and over much of the planet.
Action you can take
A simple but polite ‘no thank you’ leaves a great feeling when you have just declined yet another plastic bag at the checkout. It will also get others in the queue behind you thinking. There are many innovative alternatives to plastic bin liners and bags, including:
- Line the bin with a few sheets of newspaper, rather than reusing a plastic bag
- You could purchase certified compostable bin liner bags, these are bio-degradable
- Most kitchen bins comprise of a plastic insert stored inside a more ornate metallic container. This means you can throw your kitchen discards directly in the insert. Clearing the rubbish to an external bin and washing the insert daily is the basic minimum if you implement this plan
Bold Initiative Needed
Go on be brave you won’t break it! Make your objective to by-pass bin liners completely. Avoiding plastic packaging is not only achievable, but sensible too. Recycle whenever you can and composting peelings and leftovers is a good start on the road to a greener, cleaner planet.
