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Plastic pollution is destroying our planet and perhaps you feel powerless to do something about it, right? Wrong!!! Here are 14 bits of plastic you can quit right now!
14 plastic-free products because every little makes a difference
From teabags to toothpaste tubes, the menace of plastic is everywhere, but there are more ecological options out there. Check out these 14 cleaner, greener alternatives to plastic.
14 bits of plastic you can quit today The increased motivation to curb plastic waste and boost recycling comes after the BBC’s Blue Planet II series highlighted the threat of ocean pollution and showed footage of wildlife eating plastic. Source: Facebook/BrightVibes
The “Blue Planet” effect is causing ripples throughout the world
The main way that plastic ends up in the ocean is via the world’s major rivers. Research suggests that 95% of plastic is transported in this way.
While the majority of the plastic in the oceans comes from Asia, consumer behaviour in developed countries including the UK, Europe and the US is also a major factor in pushing plastic into the world’s waters.
According to figures, US citizens produce around 120kg (264lbs) of plastic waste per person every year. The UK produces around 76kg (167lbs) of waste while in Sweden, it’s around 18kg (40lbs).
Last December, 193 countries committed to a UN plan to stop plastic waste entering the oceans. However, the commitment is not legally binding and does not have a timetable. Aslo, different countries have adopted different schemes.
Around 40 have banned single-use plastic bags, with charges or outright prohibitions in place in China, Rwanda and many others including Bangladesh.
Others including the UK are moving to ban plastic straws and cotton buds. Zero plastic waste shops are opening in many towns and cities while plastic-free aisles in stores was part of the 25-year plan for nature in the UK put forward by Prime Minister Theresa May.
The increased motivation to curb plastic waste and boost recycling comes after the BBC’s Blue Planet II series highlighted the threat of ocean pollution and showed footage of wildlife eating plastic.
Below are 14 plastic-free choices you can make to help keep plastic out of our oceans.
1. bottled water Drink from a tap or, if it’s not safe from the tap, buy BIG bottles and fill up a reusable bottle when on the go. Source: Pexels/MaliMaeder 2. Plastic straws Simply sip your drink or use one of the many durable alternatives already on the market. For an added twist, why not try the range of flavoured, biodegradable and edible straws from WeAreSorbos.com Source: WeAreSorbos.com 3. plastic toothbrushes Need to replace your toothbrush? Get yourself a bamboo toothbrush from the Bamboo Brush Society! Source: TheBambooBrushSocety.com 4. PLASTIC DEODORANT STICKS There are alternatives, for example NUUD, a cruelty-free deodorant in a sugarcane-based tube. Completely harmless for your body and health • No aluminium salts, no parabens, no propellants, no artificial fragrances, no vague chemical connections • Guaranteed to leave no stains • Sustainable packaging, production & distribution • 100% free of animal testing Source: Nuudcare.com 5. Teabags Many teabags contain a plastic called polypropylene. Use loose tealeaves with a cool reusable tea infuser instead. Source: Pixabay/PublicDomainPictires 6. Shrink-wrap/cling-film Wrap cheese, half a lemon, a crusty loaf of bread, and fruits and vegetables. Cover a bowl, or pack a snack for your next adventure. Made with organic cotton, beeswax, organic jojoba oil, and tree resin. Bee’s Wrap is washable, reusable and compostable. Source: Beeswrap.com 7. Coffee capsules Avoid using difficult to recycle coffee capsules. Coffee from percolator tastes great and it makes you look really cool 😉 Source: Pexels/Pixabay 8. Plastic produce bags Use reusable, durable and washable produce bags. They’re breathable and can help your produce last longer. Source: BeTheBestNanny.com 9. Toothpaste tubes They’re hard to recycle and next to impossible to use up completely. Try something like e.g. Lush toothy tabs — a solid alternative to toothpaste and mouthwash, with essential oils and spices for fresh breath and a sparkling smile — simply chew on one, and start brushing. These solid tabs are packaged in recycled and recyclable plastic bottles. These compact bottles contain roughly 80 solid, self-preserving mouthwash tabs, which are perfect for stowing away in handbags, backpacks, carry-ons or jet-packs for galactically good breath on the go. Source: Lush.com 10. Takeaway coffee cups Bring your own cup, like Ecoffeecups (pictured) which are made from bamboo fibre. Bringing your own helps you save money and the planet in one go. Source: Ecoffeecup.eco 11. liquid soap and shower gel Use soap bars and shampoo bars instead. Companies like Lush offer a wide range of both. Source: Lush.com 12. Plastic carrier bags A no-brainer. Carry reusable bags when you go shopping. Source: Pixabay/BRRT 13. Plastic cotton buds/Q-tips Buy 100% biodegradable ones made from sustainable bamboo and organic cotton. Source: TheBambooBrushSociety.com 14. Plastic bread bags Bring a reusable bread bag. This bag from australian company Onya is made from 10 recycled plastic drink bottles : Source: Onyalife.com
Comment #YES if you agree we must all do our bit
Tag 3 friends because “I make a change, but WE Make the difference”
We all hate to see how plastic waste is killing our planet and it’s easy to become dispirited, feeling there is little you can do about it. Well here are nine bits of plastic you can quit today.
