According to Plastic Oceans, above 300 million tons of plastic are generated every year, 50% of which are single-use items like shopping bags, coffee cups and lids, straws… Sadly, just around 20% of the global plastic is recycled yearly, ending up most of it in landfills. And to sum up to this plastic crisis, eight million tons of plastic waste appear in our oceans every year, harming the marine species fatally.
These alarming facts should lead us to fix the plastic problem once and for all. We all can do something about it. For instance, you can start by following the tips mentioned below to decrease the amount of plastic we use every day (sometimes, even without noticing).
Always carry a reusable bag
We are quite aware of using a reusable bag when grocery shopping, but when you go shopping, start using your own bag and not take the retailer’s paper bag.
Use a reusable coffee cup or flask and avoid using lids
Your morning coffee routine could be more sustainable by bringing your own reusable cup or flask to the cafeteria instead of taking the good-to-go coffee cup. And avoid the lid, take advantage and use this moment to think about your morning rather than rushing into work 🙂
Get your own bottle
Plastic bottles are the most commonly found objects on beach cleans globally. Start by cutting the use of plastic bottles every time you are thirsty.
Plastic cutlery? No thanks
Fancy a takeaway? Remember, you have cutlery at home, so no need for a plastic fork and knife!
Straws, is it really necessary?
You do not need a straw to drink your mojito. Every time they ask you if you want one, remember, a plastic straw takes around 200 years to decompose.
Go for products in cans or glass and recycle them
Aluminum cans are more suitable to recycle than other materials. And glass is most efficient when reused, no need for plastic then!
Forget the cling film
Cling film cannot be recycled, but foil is possible. Remember to put the used foil in the recycle bin afterward. And a great alternative that is humming is the wax wraps; they can be washed and reused.
Choose products without packaging. We do not need to pack an apple, onions, bananas…
Choose to buy from the bulk section rather than individual plastic trays.
These tips could be an excellent start for reducing your plastic footprint and help the planet with the plastic crisis. Remember, every little action helps 🙂
Sources: WWF und Plastic Oceans
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