5 Ways To Reduce Your Plastic Usage This Earth Day

This Earth Day the focus is on the growing threat of plastics, calling for a 60% reduction in the production of all plastics. What was once understood to be a cheap and widely used material for just about everything, has now become part of a grim reality where our environment and society are needlessly polluted. With that in mind, we’ve put together some great tips to help you reduce your plastic usage this Earth Day!

Our Five Tips To Reduce Plastic Usage

Carry A Single-Use Water Bottle 

This is the easiest and simplest one! Instead of continuing to buy bottles of water and running up your plastic usage, invest in a good quality water bottle that you can take anywhere. As well as helping you reduce your carbon footprint, carrying around your own water bottle can help you keep on track with your daily water intake.

Use a Tote Bag When You Go Shopping

Stop going to the shops and coming home with more plastic bags. Instead, think ahead and bring a recyclable bag like a cloth tote bag - it doesn't have to be The New Yorker one! Plastic bags get sent to the landfill where the sun warms them up, which then releases chemicals into the atmosphere. You can limit this happening simply by using a non-plastic bag.

Use a Reusable Coffee Cup

Many coffee shops still use plastic in their cups and lids when you order your coffee. You can buy a reusable cup that will keep your drink of choice warm and secure, as well as reduce how much plastic you’re using. Also, some great coffee shops sometimes offer a discount if you use your cup!

Forget About Cling Film

When it comes to any kitchen duties, replacing cling film with aluminium foil comes out top. Cling film cannot be recycled, whereas foil can. You can also opt for beeswax strips as another more sustainable alternative to cling film.

Reuse The Plastic You Already Have

If you’re struggling to remove plastic from your life, then you can at least make sure the plastic you already use is being used better. Find out where your nearest refill shop is, where you’ll be able to fill up on things such as washing up liquid and other popular household items.

What Is Plastic Pollution?

Plastic pollution refers to plastics that pollute our environment, and harm humans, habitats and animals. According to the UN Environment Programme, every day the equivalent of 2,000 rubbish trucks full of plastic ends up in oceans and rivers. The numbers reveal a grim future where our planet becomes a dumping ground because of our need for convenience.

What Are the Causes of Plastic Pollution?

It’s not hysteria to say that plastics pose a serious threat to all aspects of life on our planet, with the delicate balance being thrown off course. About 40% of all plastics are only ever used once. These plastics do not break down, but instead only break up into smaller pieces. It’s therefore impossible to recycle all of this material. Our oceans have become a dumping ground for disused plastics and other waste, which in turn affects marine life and depleting species. Incorrect waste disposal is a primary cause, with waste finding its way into oceans, rivers and lakes.

What Are the Effects of Plastic Pollution on Humans?

The impact of excessive plastic production and subsequent inability to recycle is harrowing. Research recently revealed microplastics have been found inside human blood, with small particles being detected in 80% of those who were tested. Microplastics have also been found in the furthest depths of the planet, and even way up on Mount Everest.

Why Reduce Your Plastic Waste?

Predictions indicate that plastic pollution is set to triple by 2060 if we don’t try and reduce it. We produce more than 430 million tonnes of plastic annually, two-thirds of which are single-use plastics that soon become waste, with plastics making up 85% of marine litter. The future of our planet depends on a collective and individual effort to reduce plastic pollution. This Earth Day, see how you can make small changes to how you live and help reduce plastic pollution.