Plastic Freedom and how to get it
An average family accumulates up to 60 plastic bags in just 4 trips to the grocery store.
According to a UN report an estimated, 30,000 plastic bags are found in every sq.km of ocean.
Up to 93% of the plastic waste generated ever year remains un-recycled.
According to a UN report an estimated, 30,000 plastic bags are found in every sq.km of ocean.
Up to 93% of the plastic waste generated ever year remains un-recycled.
Startling facts! But what do we do about it? Our use-and-throw attitude towards plastic has proven to be very damaging to our own planet, probably because of our sheer apathy or due to lack of adequate knowledge.
Let’s analyze a bit before we start talking about preventive measures. Plastic is essentially a derivative of crude oil, and resistant to degradation, due to its chemical properties. So under ideal conditions a plastic bag or a bottle would degrade in 20-25 years. But here’s a catch. It splits into simpler yet more toxic chemical compounds. And since most of the plastic waste ends up into landfills all these toxins are released into the land. In essence plastic once created, remains forever and does not biodegrade. And if it ends up into an ocean it’s far more damaging.
The excuse that we give most often for this berserk use of plastic is convenience even though it causes more inconvenience in the long run. Plastic does not ‘go away’. The only solution is to concentrate on greener alternatives of plastic.
But it’s not easy, here’s a few key strategies that we can adopt to lessen plastic in our lives.
1) To begin with try to avoid plastic bags. Use bags made out of biodegradable material like cloth. They’re reusable, convenient and far more cost effective. They degrade a lot faster than plastic but last longer in use.
2) Another good alternative is bags made out of newspaper. Reusing and recycling is always a better option.
3) Make sure you always a carry a reusable bag, whenever you go out to shop. Keep 5-6 such bags at home.
4) Also dispose all the plastic waste separately. Use food grade plastic containers. They are easy to recycle.
5) Moreover do not dump plastic in water or anywhere on the streets. It helps to keep the surrounding clean.
Thats the minimum we can do to avoid and reduce plastic use. Let us know if you have any more plastic freedom tips.
