Did you know 40% of plastic is used just once and then discarded?
This is a big problem because plastics aren’t biodegradable and so they can have a huge negative impact on the environment. If you find this concerning, you may want to learn more about this problem and what can be done.
If that’s the case, keep reading because we’re going to look at the tragic reality of single use plastics. When you finish this post, you’ll understand why this kind of plastic is a problem and how you can help out.
Let’s begin!
What Are Single Use Plastics?
As the name suggests, single use plastics are plastics that are supposed to be discarded shortly after use.
Such plastics are common when it comes to the packaging of consumer goods. An example of this might include the ‘plastic-pack rings’ that hold beer cans together.
Because such plastics are only used once, they are often disposed of in irresponsible ways.
This is a problem, as such plastic then contributes to general litter, and this means that it can have a harmful impact on wildlife. Furthermore, this plastic might also end up in the ocean, which can make it hard to retrieve.
Now you might think that it’s okay if this plastic goes to a landfill. Yet, it’s worth noting that plastic in landfills is a problem, as some of the plastic can ‘leak out’ into the wild, thereby creating problems.
What’s the Solution?
Now that you’re aware of the problems associated with single use plastic, you may want to know how you can be part of the solution.
One way you can improve things is by purchasing products that do not make use of plastics designed for single use. This is becoming easier to do, as many companies are now offering products that don’t utilize plastic.
For instance, if you go to https://solandspirit.com/, you can buy bags made from ‘cotton.’ If you purchase these bags, you can use them as a replacement for disposable plastic bags.
In some cases, you might find that you have no other option but to buy a product that uses disposable plastics.
If that’s the case, you should make a conscious effort to dispose of the plastics responsibly. For the most part, this just means that you need to recycle the plastic, or at least put it in the bin so that it doesn’t end up ‘in the wild.’
Will You Limit Your Use of Plastics?
Plastics are an important part of day to day life, but there’s no denying the negative impact they have on the world. This is especially the case for single use plastics, which have a huge negative impact on the environment.
However, if you just focus on making a small change every month or so, you will be able to limit the amount of plastic you consume and send out into the world.
Image Credits: John Cameron
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