Plastic, from production to disposal, is one of the planet’s biggest killers; the manufacturing plus the incineration of it on disposal is polluting our air and exposing habitats to toxic chemicals. Not to mention that plastic isn’t biodegradable meaning they are polluting the ground and water. So what can you do to minimise and prevent the effects plastic is having on the environment and save our planet?
Avoid it
Of course, one person alone not buying plastic isn’t going to have much of an effect on the crisis at hand, but if we all team together and pay attention to the products we are buying – we could make a monumental difference. Avoid buying products that come with excess plastic packaging .i.e. you could buy loose vegetables instead of already packaged ones.
Buy a Bag for Life
Plastic bags are one of the most problematic items in terms of pollution; they breakdown into soil where they release toxic chemicals that are harmful to crops and animals. Currently we waste 1 trillion plastic bags every single year. These end up in oceans where many sea creatures mistake them for food. Avoid purchasing 5p carrier bags whilst doing your weekly shop and invest in a 10p Bag for Life – they’re re-useable after all!
Get creative
It’s inevitable that at some point you’ll need to buy items that are packaged in plastic i.e. washing detergents and bottles. Instead of allowing these to end up in landfills where they pollute our earth, they can be made into handy storage pots and herb gardens for around your home.
Recycle
A no brainer! Obviously you can’t save and salvage every piece of plastic you come into possession of; your home can handle only so many plastic bottle pen holders! So whatever you’re left with, always make the effort the recycle. There are recycling bins on every street and corner for a reason; to save our planet!
