Reduce Plastic Waste: The change you can make


We all know that plastic waste/plastic pollution is a global and urgent issue but can be easy to solve if we all put effort and take action. There are people around the globe currently working on it but it's not only them who should help Earth and life. It's our home and therefore, it's everyone's responsibility to keep Earth clean and green. Not one or two but ALL of us must reduce plastic waste in our daily life to live in a fresh and healthy environment. Each small action is important so don't doubt if you are doing something inefficient to reduce plastic waste. 

The first and foremost action that needs to be taken is to stop or at least decrease the use of single-use plastic. Single-use plastic can only be used once and for a few moments. For example, most of the plastic cutlery is single-use like spoons or forks as they can be used only once to eat. They are usually used outside in takeouts or restaurants. More than 40% of plastic waste is single-use plastic so if single-use plastic is banned or used less often, plastic waste/plastic pollution would decrease to a great extent. 
                       Image by Amanda Keetly on Less Plastic

We know we have to take action but, what actually can we do apart from not using single-use plastic? From using cloth bags for shopping to using bamboo toothbrushes, here are a few changes you can make to help the environment and Earth:
  • Create products out of plastic waste using machines that shred plastic and then mold them with another machine. The molded plastic will be turned into a tile that can be used to make all sorts of unique and useful products. Some of them are wallets, lunch bags, and jewelry. This action is very effective but time-consuming and most people cannot afford the machines or making them by themselves. It requires skill and patience but there are people around the world using these machines. However, with these machines, eco-friendly businesses will become popular.  
  • Use reusable utensils in the kitchen instead of ones made of plastic. They can be made of ceramic, clay, metal, steel. etc. Anything that is reusable or at least biodegradable can be a substitute for plastic cutlery. 
  • Use reusable containers in order to store food in the kitchen. They can be made of glass, metal. etc. "Reusable glass or stainless steel containers to store your food will not only help reduce plastic waste but also help protect your health from the harmful effects of plastic leaching into your food and drinks," says Rebekah, simplygreenrebekah.com. 
  • Swap plastic bottles with reusable metal bottles so that we don’t throw them away after use. Each plastic bottle takes up to 450 years to decompose so using metal bottles or other reusable bottles will really help decrease plastic waste. 
  • Swap plastic bags with fabric or environmentally friendly bags. Plastic bags are very useful as they can hold heavy things like watermelons but can tear quite easily than fabric/cloth bags. They are also used only a few times and then are thrown away. 
  • Use metal or cardboard straws instead of plastic. Plastic straws can only be used once and will be disposed of later on after being used once. Cardboard straws are biodegradable and metal straws can be washed and used again which is why they make good substitutes. 
  • Instead of using liquid soaps, use soap bars. This is because liquid soaps come in plastic bottles which will eventually be thrown away after using the soap. Soap bars are also cheaper and one soap bar can last longer than one bottle of liquid soap.
  • Use less plastic while packing food because it will be thrown away after use anyways. Clear wraps and other plastic items to package food can be substituted with beeswax paper but not aluminum foil. Aluminum foil is worse than plastic wraps because they are not biodegradable, cause water pollution, use fossil fuels for production, impact human health, and takes lots of energy to process. 
  • Stop eating gum! "Many conventional types of chewing gum contain a synthetic gum base that is made from artificial ingredients, including petroleum and oil-based materials, which is essentially plastic," says Rebekah, simplygreenrebekah.com. They are not biodegradable and will stay on Earth forever so either stop eating the gum or if you can't stop eating gum then eat one that has a natural gum base like Glee Gum.  
  • Create crafts out of plastic that can be useful in our daily life. 
  • Use bamboo toothbrushes instead of plastic toothbrushes. The handle of a bamboo toothbrush is made of bamboo and the bristles/teeth are made of premium DuPont nylon BPA free. Premium DuPont nylon BPA-free is not completely eco-friendly but people around the world are still trying to find good alternatives. However, the bristles are only part of 5% of the toothbrush so it doesn't have a huge effect. One bamboo toothbrush can be used for about 2 to 3 months but it depends on how many times it is used and the state of the brush. Remember to dry your toothbrush after use so that it doesn't get too moldy soon.
These are just 11 ways to help reduce plastic waste. Once you have taken personal action, you can spread awareness to a local community or online. Persuade people around you to take action. You can spread awareness by sharing my blog! Just click on the URL, copy it, and paste it online wherever you wish and you have spread awareness! Do try out at least one of the actions and I am sure you will enjoy helping the world to reduce plastic waste! Remember, every small action counts, and be a responsible citizen because it's your home.

Have your say on my post in the comment section below!

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