The Facts About How Can We Stop Plastic Bag Pollution Revealed

While taking in the relaxing cadence of crashing waves on the beach, nobody desires to consider how the ocean has actually basically ended up being garbage soup. However here's the buzz-killing truth: There are countless lots of particles drifting around because water-- and the majority of it is plastic. Rich Carey/Shutterstock This continuous barrage (the equivalent of 136 billion milk containers each year, approximates a research study released in the journal Science) positions a severe danger to marine life.

Plastic, naturally, is distinctively troublesome because it's nonbiodegradable and therefore remains for a lot longer (like as much as 1,000 years longer) than other kinds of garbage. And we're not just discussing people dumping their garbage overboard. Around 80 percent of marine litter in fact originates on land-- either swept in from the coastline or carried to rivers from the streets throughout heavy rain through storm drains pipes and sewage system overflows.

The great news? There are many little methods you can have a big effect. Ninety percent of the plastic products in our lives are used as soon as and after that chucked: grocery bags, plastic wrap, disposable flatware, straws, coffee-cup covers. Bear in mind of how frequently you rely on these products and change them with multiple-use variations.

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Each year, close to 20 billion plastic bottles are tossed in the garbage. Bring a multiple-use bottle in your bag, and you'll never be captured having to turn to a Poland Spring or Evian again. If you're worried about the quality of your local faucet water, try to find a model with an integrated filter.

Unfortunately, they also look similar to food to some marine animals. Choose products with natural exfoliants, like oatmeal or salt, instead. Not only is it healthier, however making your own meals does not involve takeout containers or doggy bags. For those times when you do order in or consume out, tell the facility you do not need any plastic cutlery or, for some severe extra credit, bring your own food-storage containers to dining establishments for leftovers.

Search the racks of thrift stores, area garage sales, or online postings for products that are simply as great when previously utilized. You'll save yourself a few dollars, too. It appears obvious, however we're refraining from doing a fantastic task of it. For example, less than 14 percent of plastic packaging is recycled.

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The majority of beverage and liquid cleaner bottles will be # 1 (FAMILY PET), which is typically accepted by many curbside recycling business. Containers marked # 2 (HDPE; typically a little heavier-duty bottles for milk, juice, and laundry cleaning agent) and # 5 (PP; plastic cutlery, yogurt and margarine tubs, catsup bottles) are likewise recyclable in some areas.

Urge your chosen authorities to follow the lead of those in San Francisco, Chicago, and close to 150 other cities and counties by presenting or supporting legislation that would make plastic-bag use less desirable. Single-serving yogurts, travel-size toiletries, small packages of nuts-- consider the product-to-packaging ratio of products you tend to buy typically and choose the larger container instead of buying numerous smaller ones with time.

(And while you're at it, make sure you're often visiting a dry cleaner that avoids the perc, a harmful chemical discovered in some cleaning solvents.) Though we can make a distinction through our own habits, corporations obviously have a much bigger footprint. If you think a company could be smarter about its product packaging, make your voice heard.

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Ready to assist us in our international project to end plastic pollution? Learn more with our Plastic Pollution Primer and Action Toolkit, then follow the tips below. Minimize your own plastic waste. Start by utilizing our plastic calculator to track how much you use-- then you can take actions to lower your usage and waste.

Bring your own multiple-use coffee cup when heading out to get drinks. Like sipping through straws? Get a recyclable stainless-steel, glass, or bamboo one to use rather of inefficient plastic ones. Rather of purchasing water in plastic bottles, invest in a water filter and multiple-use water bottle(s). Bonus: it's less expensive in the long run.

(Discover simple directions online). Choose clothing and other individual products made from earth-friendly materials instead of microfibers and other artificial fibers, which contaminate our water. (Much more methods to green your design.) Bring a reusable container to a restaurant with you when you expect to have leftovers. Decline straws: It's as basic as adding, "No straw, please" when asking for beverages at restaurants or coffee shops.

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(Are you really going to spill?) Choose up trash in your community and when visiting parks and beaches. Recycle the plastics you use and no longer require. Return single-use bags to supermarket for them to recycle. Does your city or state have restrictions on single-use plastics? Send a letter or call your local chosen leaders, advising them to prohibit plastic bags and other single-use plastic items.

The flow of plastics into our environment has actually reached crisis percentages, and the evidence is most clearly on display screen in our oceans. It is approximated that as much as 12 million metric lots of plastic enter our ocean each year. Our oceans are slowly turning into a plastic soup, and the effects on ocean life are cooling.

Plastic is now going into every level of the ocean food chain and is even ending up in the seafood on our plates. Our world can no longer tolerate a culture of throw-away plastics. Single-use plastics are filling our garbage dumps, choking our rivers, and contaminating our oceans. For far too long, corporations have put the onus on everybody to deal with their own failed style issue.

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We have actually been told a lie. Over 90% of plastics are not recycled. Recycling alone is merely never going to resolve this issue. The scale of the problem corporations have developed must be met with an essential shift in how they bring items to individuals. It depends on all of us to demand much better-- to inform these corporate giants that we will no longer endure the plastics they require upon us.

It's time for us to turn down the old business story that a throw-away lifestyle makes us pleased. Nothing that is utilized for a couple of minutes must end up polluting our oceans for a life time. With sufficient pressure from our fans and allies around the globe, the biggest business like Coke, Pepsi, Starbucks, Mc Donald's, Unilever, Nestlé, and Procter & Gamble will embrace a much better design through innovation and redesign.

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Together, we can do much better. We can bring about an easier life without endless waste. A life where individuals and the world flourish. Need big corporations do their part to end plastic pollution! At Greenpeace, we think the market plays a larger function than individuals. Why is it that something planned to be used for minutes is packaged in something that lasts permanently? We're demanding that corporations take obligation for the plastic pollution crisis and end making use of damaging single-use plastics and product packaging.