The usage of plastic is undeniably convenient and cheaper. It may take a lot of effort to cut out plastics in our daily life but here are easy ways to get started:
Future-proof the environment. Toss the plastic bags for your grocery trips because, on July 3, it is International Plastic Bag Free Day!
International Plastic Bag Free Day is a one-of-a-kind tribute to our dear planet to spread awareness about plastic pollution and promote environmental and wildlife conservation by encouraging people to reject plastic bags -especially the single-use ones.
This global initiative began in September 2016, as part of the Bag Free World Movement; and has been echoed to many countries with 11,000 partners. With their common goal to “Bring systematic change through a holistic approach tackling plastic pollution across the whole plastics value chain, focusing on prevention rather than cure, and providing effective solutions.”
“Plastic-clogged Philippines”
In the Philippines alone, 14.66 million tons of trash a year have been accumulated and is now the fourth-largest generator of solid waste in Southeast Asia, according to a report by the United Nations Environment Program.
Chrispian Lao, head of the Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability (PARMS), said that approximately 70% of the Filipino population has no access to disposal facilities and sanitary landfills, which causes waste to leak into the oceans.
Stuck at disposables
Now that the global pandemic puts pressure on the accumulation of waste, research published last year by the American Chemical Society, and results say that globally, 129 billion disposable face masks were used every month and studies show that these masks may contain microplastics since it is comprised of single-use polymeric materials as a significant source of plastic and plastic particle.
Reduce waste is to cut waste
The usage of plastic is undeniably convenient and cheaper, but it is imperative that people should reconsider looking for alternatives and adopt them in their daily routines. It is purely inconsequential that society is longing for a greener environment and impedes the process at the same time.
It may take a lot of effort, so here are easy ways to get started:
1. Skip the straw. It’s 2021.
Single-use plastic straws are one of the top ten contributors to marine life. They are used for just a minute, and when you’re done, it becomes a waste; the same goes with your plastic lids, styrofoam, and stirrers. Basically, stay out of the single-use plastics
2. Bring your own bottle/ thermos.
Bringing your own water bottle for trips and a thermos for your to-go coffee is another way to reduce your plastic usage and saves you money at the same time.
Those disposable paper coffee cups may look environmentally friendly, but they are lined with a thin plastic resin called polyethylene.
3. Cloth bags for your weekly shopping trips.
Go further with your impact and fill your cloth bags with your groceries, or even during your retail shopping spree.
Cloth bags are reusable that are not made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic. This ranges from natural fiber totes to recycled reusables, to backpacks and even upcycled DIY bags. To add, these bags are also multipurpose, which means you could reduce your plastic usage in any aspect.
You can also design your own cloth bags and fill them with patches or paint them your favorite patterns. That’s creativity and sustainability right there.
4. Try the 1-in-1-out-rule.
It is truly hard to avoid consuming makeup and beauty products. In the market, the majority of environmentally conscious brands are expensive and not accessible to all; so, the best thing to do is to go for the 1-in-1-out-rule. This means when it’s time to replenish your favorite moisturizers and lipsticks, it is befitting to only purchase one, and wait for it to run out.
5. Call out manufacturers.
It is indeed effective to start small and create new habits for the environment, but manufacturers have a bigger impact in disrupting the planet. Sign the petitions of recognized organizations, mention them on your socials, and make your impact your responsibility.
Plastics have been harmful to the environment and society while depleting natural resources and disrupting the long-term effects on the planet. This International Plastic Bag Free Day, it is a challenge to exhaust all efforts and consider possible solutions for the future.
