Beat Plastic Pollution – this is the theme of this year’s World Environment Day and India is the host country. Plastic pollution is the massive accumulation of plastic products that have an adverse effect on each and every component of the environment. From trees to human beings, wild animals to small insects – all are the components of this environment. The careless and frivolous usage of plastic affects our life somewhere.
Plastic is really cheap and durable and these are the two factors that make it one of the most used material. The way plastic has made a place in every sphere of our living, it is really hard to think of a plastic-less life. From grocery to wedding arrangements – you would see a humungous usage of plastic in various forms. As per a report shared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), our India is one the biggest plastic polluters in the world. At least 40% plastic consumption of Indian population ends up either in landfills or water bodies. Thus, given the current statistics of plastic pollution, we have to wake up now and take sustainable actions before its too late!
Some Facts about Plastic Pollution:
- The world usage of Plastic bags across the world is 500 billion.
- In the oceans worldwide, the plastic waste found is at least 8 million tonnes.
- 50% of the plastic that we all use are disposable or meant for single-use.
- The annual sale of plastic bottles is 1 million.
- The last decade (2007-2017) saw an intolerable usage of plastic. The production of the plastic world over was more than that of the whole last century (19th century)
- Plastic makes up 10% of the waste we generate. The figure may be small but it is like a slow poison which would eat up every corner of our happy life!
Now if you think that just removing plastic from your home and office to some Municipal Garbage Bin is enough – you are probably living in a bubble. When this plastic waste material is dumped into the ocean, it affects the marine environment too by polluting the water and killing marine organisms.
Here are some easy and effective measures that you can adopt to say a NO to plastic usage and make a difference.
Stop Buying Bottled Water:
One cannot step out without carrying a water bottle or buy a packaged drinking water while feeling thirsty. But to stop the adverse effect of these bottles, you have to take a step ahead. Carry the glass bottles or steel bottles or bio-degradable cups or glasses in your bag while traveling. Fill up water in these containers and drink.
Choose Cardboard over Plastic:
It is always safe to use cardboard because it easily gets recycled. The cardboard is a paper product but it is always recommended because it is bio-degradable in nature. So, buy food or other essentials which are delivered in cardboard packaging.
Stop Using Straws:
The straws that are mostly served in restaurants and fast food chains are made of plastic and after you have consumed your drink and satiated your soul, they are dumped into the bin. These plastic straws are non-biodegradable and thus cannot be of any profit to our mother Earth. So, grow up and start sipping your drinks.
Discard Some Cosmetics:
If a clean plastic drive gets initiated, the cosmetic industry would be wiped off to a considerable extent. Knowingly or unknowingly, we end up using many products in our daily life which are environmentally hazardous. Most of the plastic that has already polluted or still polluting the ocean are microplastics. These microplastics are mostly found in minuscule chunks and are hard to filter. Microplastics are created when bigger items break down and they are added to common products like face wash, toothpaste, and scrubs. You have the Ayurvedic or Herbal products too in the market and you can use them. Check your products have polypropylene and polyethylene or not and if yes, discard them.
Plastic or Waste Free Period:
The normal or regular sanitary pads contain 90% plastic material. Each year, over 45 billion feminine hygiene products are disposed of somewhere and this is another alarm. Look around the market and find out the bio-degradable, compostable, and renewable sanitary pads or tampons. For a better environment, completely discard the brands who use plastic applicators.
Start Partying Without Plastic:
Whenever you are hosting a party, the first thing that occupies your mind is obviously the copious number of dishes, mugs, glasses, spoons, etc. in your sink. To avoid that painful task, you opt for the plastic glasses, plates, and bowls – right? Stop doing that right away. You know you can go back in time and bring the old world charm back to this 21st century. Usage of terracotta or bamboo or stone glasses and dishes would be a creative choice. It would also save the environment a bit.
Always carry Your Bag while Shopping:
When you are going to the market or grocery store to buy essentials for your home, never leave without your own bag. It should preferably be a jute bag or any other bag that has no plastic content in it. Refuse the plastic bag the shopkeeper offers you for buying fruits or vegetables. There are some shops who have already started this NO plastic bags campaign.
United Nations declared 5th June as the World Environment Day. If you have forgotten this prestigious date amidst the whirlpool of sibling’s day, brother’s day, tea day, coffee day, sister’s day, or national chocolate macaroon’s day, we are here to remind you certain facts and figures. Many countries have taken stringent action against this plastic pollution. If anyone is caught purchasing, selling, or using plastic bags in Kenya, that person is fined up to 25 lakh or given a 4-year imprisonment. India is one of the largest plastic consumers really needs to take some cumulative actions. We need more people like Afroze Shah who was the main motivator of the Versova Beach clean-up drive.
Hope you implement these easy and effective measures in your daily life. These measures would bring a change and we can leave a better environment for our offsprings.
#WED2018 #Noplastic #StopPlasticPollution
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