Preventing Plastic Pollution: Simple Steps For A Healthier Planet

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a serious threat to our planet's health and wildlife. With plastic production skyrocketing and low levels of recycling, it is essential that we take action to prevent plastic pollution from damaging our environment and endangering marine life. The problem is not limited to the ocean; plastic pollution affects our rivers, coastlines, and even the air we breathe. While it may seem like a daunting task to tackle such a widespread issue, there are many ways that individuals and communities can contribute to reducing plastic pollution and mitigating its harmful effects. From small behavioural changes to supporting legislation and charities, we can all play a part in creating a cleaner and healthier planet.

Reduce single-use plastic

Reducing single-use plastic is a critical step in preventing plastic pollution and its devastating effects on the environment, particularly the oceans. Here are some detailed and direct actions individuals can take to reduce single-use plastic in their daily lives:

• Refuse single-use plastic bags: Plastic bags are extremely dangerous to marine life, as sea creatures like turtles can mistake them for jellyfish. Instead, bring your own reusable tote or bag when shopping. If you do end up with a plastic bag, reuse it as a bin liner to extend its life. You can also urge your local officials to support a bag tax or ban, following the example of cities like San Francisco and Chicago.
• Avoid plastic bottles and bottle caps: Over a million plastic bottles are sold every minute globally. Avoid contributing to this massive source of single-use plastic by investing in a reusable water bottle. Plastic bottle caps are also a significant pollutant, so try to avoid disposable drinks with plastic caps, and remember to recycle any that you do use.
• Say no to plastic straws, stirrers, and cutlery: Plastic straws, stirrers, and cutlery are unnecessary single-use plastics that can cause harm to marine animals. Ask for your drinks and meals plastic-free when dining out, and bring your own reusable cutlery if needed.
• Ditch the cling film: Instead of using disposable plastic bags or cling film for food storage, opt for reusable food storage containers or beeswax wraps to keep your food fresh without creating plastic waste.
• Choose reusable containers for food: Avoid takeout containers or doggy bags by preparing your own meals whenever possible. For leftovers when dining out, bring your own food storage containers or ask for plastic-free alternatives.
• Shop "Zero Waste": Visit farmers' markets and local food markets to buy fresh produce without the plastic packaging common in supermarkets. Shopping locally also supports local farmers and reduces carbon emissions from food transportation.
• Boycott microbeads: Microbeads, found in many beauty products like facial scrubs and toothpaste, are tiny plastic particles that can slip through water treatment plants and be ingested by marine animals. Opt for natural exfoliants like oatmeal or salt, and choose cosmetics with natural, non-plastic ingredients.
• Reduce plastic waste in the bathroom: Single-use plastics are prevalent in bathrooms, from toothbrushes to shampoo bottles. Switch to bars of soap instead of body wash, and consider trying solid shampoo. Remember to recycle any plastic packaging, and look for plastic-free alternatives.
• Support legislation and initiatives to reduce single-use plastic: Support and vote for elected officials who prioritize reducing single-use plastic. Also, get involved in local and global initiatives, like coastal clean-up efforts and educational campaigns, to raise awareness and encourage others to take action.
• Put pressure on manufacturers: While individual actions are important, corporations have a much bigger impact on plastic pollution. Use your voice as a consumer to advocate for less plastic packaging and more sustainable practices. Choose to support companies that prioritize eco-friendly packaging and responsible waste management.

Avoid products with microbeads

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, with millions of tons of plastic waste entering our oceans each year. This plastic waste poses a serious danger to marine life, who can get tangled up in it or ingest it. The plastic that is ingested by marine animals can cause disease, reproductive issues, or starvation when it becomes part of larger blockages.

Microbeads, tiny plastic particles, are a significant contributor to this plastic pollution. They are often added to cosmetic and personal care products, such as facial scrubs, toothpaste, body wash, and lipstick, to act as exfoliants, bulking agents, or abrasives. Despite their small size, they pose a huge threat to the environment and human health. Due to their minuscule size, they slip through water-treatment plants and end up in oceans, lakes, and rivers. Marine animals often mistake these microbeads for food, which can lead to serious health issues and even death.

To help prevent plastic pollution, it is crucial to avoid products that contain microbeads. Here are some ways to do that:

• Check the ingredients list: Common microbead ingredients include Polyethylene (PE), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). If you see any of these ingredients listed, it is best to avoid the product.
• Contact the manufacturer: If the ingredients list is not available or unclear, you can contact the manufacturer directly to ask if the product contains microbeads.
• Use alternative products: Opt for natural exfoliants such as oatmeal, sea salt, or sugar, instead of products containing microbeads. You can even make your own beauty products, such as body scrubs, by mixing an abrasive ingredient like salt or coffee grounds with oil.
• Use online resources: Websites and apps like Beat the Microbead provide databases or barcode scanners to help identify products that contain microbeads.
• Support legislation and campaigns: Advocate for legislation banning the use of microbeads in products. Support campaigns like the International Campaign Against Microbeads in Cosmetics, which provide information on products that likely contain microbeads.

By avoiding products with microbeads, you can help reduce plastic pollution and protect marine life and human health. It is important to be aware of the products you use and choose alternatives that are safer for the environment.

Reuse plastic items

Reuse is one of the core rules of sustainability. However, it is important to note that single-use plastics should not be reused. Single-use plastic items are not designed to be used more than once and can leach chemicals and shed microplastics into the environment.

• Make a hanging garden out of plastic bottles. All you need are some scissors, twine, and a place to hang or mount them.
• Use small plastic containers, like 4 oz yogurt pots, to start seedlings. Poke a few holes in the bottom for drainage and use a plastic lid to catch any drips.
• Place plastic lids under furniture to help it slide more easily when you need to move it.
• Convert plastic milk jugs into shelf organisers.
• Use plastic takeout containers to store cords and chargers so they are always easy to find.
• If you're crafty, knit or crochet a grocery bag from old plastic bags. This saves bags from going to landfill and your bag will be much stronger.
• Make a crunchy water bottle toy for your dog. Grab a water bottle, an old sock, and some scissors. Push the water bottle into the sock and tie off each end.
• Reuse plastic takeout containers to keep your receipts organised.
• Turn coffee creamer containers into storage containers. Just remove the label, wash them out, and fill them with anything pourable, like sugar, flour, or chocolate chips.
• Poke some holes in the top of a wide-mouthed bottle and you've got an instant watering can.
• Make a bird feeder out of plastic bottles and wooden spoons to make your yard more inviting for birds.
• Cut slots in a large water container and use it to store and organise magazines.
• Turn empty prescription containers into earbud holders.
• Make a plastic door curtain or wall hanging using bottle caps of different colours.
• Store small toys, like Lego, in empty baby wipe containers.
• Use large soda bottles to store small items such as nuts, bolts, and screws in the garage.
• Paint large plastic soda bottles silver, add flames, and strap them together to make a jet-pack costume.
• Store dry goods such as beans, rice, and pasta in leftover takeout soup containers.
• Turn plastic water bottles into seed starters to get a head start on your garden.
• Save your to-go containers and use them to send leftovers home with family and friends.
• Turn prescription containers into mini travel containers for cotton swabs and other tiny items.
• Reuse plastic milk cartons as storage for pens and pencils.
• Reuse Ziplock bags whenever possible for travelling, storing dry goods, and keeping things organised.
• Turn a plastic bottle into a sprinkler head for those hard-to-reach areas that need watering.
• Turn a water bottle into a votive candle holder with sand, rocks, and an LED candle.
• Punch holes in the sides and bottom of large soda bottles and bury them next to plants to create a drip irrigation system.

These are just a few ways to reuse plastic items and keep them out of the oceans and the environment. Small actions do add up to big change.

Recycle plastic waste

Recycling plastic waste is one of the ways to help prevent plastic pollution. However, it is important to note that not all plastic items collected for recycling are actually recycled. In fact, most plastic is not designed to be recycled and ends up being shipped, landfilled, or burned, contributing to pollution and harmful emissions.

Despite this, recycling plastic is still important to reduce the need for creating new plastic. Recycling can help conserve natural resources, reduce waste, save energy, and create jobs. Here are some tips to recycle plastic waste effectively:

• Check with your local recycling agency to understand what types of plastic they accept and how to prepare it for collection.
• Recycle plastic bottles, including those with a neck smaller than their body, such as water bottles, soda bottles, and condiment bottles. These can be recycled into new containers, kitchen utensils, toys, home décor, and car parts.
• Recycle plastic bottle caps separately by twisting them back onto empty bottles before placing them in the recycling bin. Bottle caps can be recycled into auto parts, bike racks, and storage bins.
• Recycle plastic bags and wraps, such as grocery bags, dry cleaning bags, bread bags, and zipper bags, at participating stores that collect them for recycling. These can be recycled into durable lumber for decks or fences.
• Look beyond the kitchen for recyclable plastic items, such as shampoo bottles, detergent containers, and auto products. Place small recycling receptacles in various rooms to make it easier to recycle.
• Seek out public recycling bins at parks, stadiums, and beaches to properly dispose of recyclables when you're on the go.
• Buy products made with recycled plastic, such as decking, food storage containers, playground equipment, and clothing made from recycled plastic bottles.
• Stay informed about the types of plastic that are more likely to be recycled, such as plastic #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE), and separate your plastic waste accordingly.

Support legislation to curb plastic production

Plastic pollution has reached crisis proportions, with an estimated 12 million metric tons of plastic entering our oceans each year. The evidence is clear, with millions of tons of debris floating in the water, most of it plastic. The constant barrage poses a serious danger to marine life, as animals can get tangled or ingest the plastic, which can take hundreds of years to degrade, all the while leaching toxic chemicals.

To combat this, individuals can take action by reducing their consumption of single-use plastics and supporting legislation to curb plastic production. Supporting such legislation is a crucial step in addressing the plastic pollution crisis. Here are some ways to do this:

Support Bag Taxes or Bans:

Over 500 cities, counties, and states have introduced legislation to reduce plastic bag use, such as implementing fees or complete bans. These measures have proven effective, with San Francisco achieving a 70% reduction in plastic bag pollution following a ban. Urge your local representatives to implement similar measures to discourage single-use plastic bags and promote reusable alternatives.

Advocate for Comprehensive Laws:

Support and push for comprehensive federal legislation that bans single-use plastic products, such as the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act in the United States. This act aims to make producers accountable, ban certain single-use plastic products, and pause permits for new plastics plants. Contact your local lawmakers and voice your support for such initiatives.

Encourage Extended Producer Responsibility:

Support schemes that hold plastic manufacturers responsible for the waste they create. Extended producer responsibility regulations require manufacturers to take back their plastic products for reuse, recycling, or proper disposal. This helps increase recycling rates and prevents plastic waste from ending up in landfills and the natural environment.

Demand Action from Corporations:

Put pressure on large corporations, such as Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and PepsiCo, to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics. Advocate for them to invest in reuse and refill practices, reducing their contribution to the plastic crisis. Use your voice through social media, letters, and, most importantly, your purchasing decisions by choosing more sustainable competitors.

Support a Global Plastics Treaty:

Get behind initiatives like the Global Plastics Treaty, which aims to put the world on a path toward a plastic-free future. This treaty has the potential to limit plastic production and use, keeping oil and gas used for plastic production in the ground. Stay informed about the progress of such treaties and support organisations working towards these goals.

By supporting legislation to curb plastic production, you can help address the plastic pollution crisis at its source. These measures will reduce the amount of plastic entering our environment and protect our oceans, wildlife, and health.

Frequently asked questions