Queen of England Bans Plastic Straws and Bottles But Forgets One Thing!
Buckingham Palace Releases New Waste Plans
Plastic straws and bottles will be phased out of all royal estates in a move intended to reduce the use of plastics. The Queen of England decided to take action after being inspired by veteran broadcaster and naturalist, David Attenborough.This move will certainly reduce the use of plastic, and as a result the negative environmental impacts; however, a lot of single-use plastics, like single-use plastic bags, will still be allowed. We think the Buckingham Palace forgot about plastic bag bans and needs their own custom reusable bags!
Cycle of Plastic
Plastic has continued to grow in popularity and has become incredibly commonplace from cups and straws to packaging material and bags. Recycling rates of plastic are low; despite plastic being recyclable. When plastic is not recycled it either ends up in landfills or incinerated or as litter. All of these outcomes pose negative impacts and ultimately, result in more raw materials being used to create more plastic.
Environmental Impact of Plastics
More than eight million tons of plastic ends up in the world’s oceans every year. Animals mistake plastic litter as food and consume it which can result in their death. In other instances, animals can become tangled in discarded plastic trash and left either unable to find food or to protect themselves from predators.
Plastic Bag Bans as a Solution
Phasing out the use of plastic bottles and straws will have a positive impact, but this action only addresses part of the problem. Disposable plastic bags are very likely to end up as litter and result in environmental harm. Many cities, states and countries across the world have found success with plastic bag bans. Check out our Plastic Bag Ban link at the top of the page.
Implementing plastic bag bans causes a shift as shoppers switch to reusable grocery bags. Made from sustainable or recycled materials and designed to be used again and again, reusable bags are an effective and eco-friendly solution to disposable plastic bags.
Moves to Reduce Plastic
The Queen’s decision to stop using plastic straws and bottles in royal estates is part of a larger movement to reduce the use of plastic. A proposal in Great Britain would impose a fee on plastic packaging, including coffee cups and other items. The European Union (EU) recently announced plans for all plastic packaging to be reusable or recyclable by 2030. These steps will make a difference and reduce the amount of plastic taking up space in landfills and littering oceans.
When a high-profile figure, such as the Queen of England, makes a move to reduce plastic this will help draw attention to the issue. The Queen’s commitment to lessening the use of disposable plastics will hopefully inspire others to follow her lead, while also showing people it is possible to reduce our reliance on plastic.
Learn More About Plastic Bag Bans
Reducing plastic use in favor of more durable, reusable items seems like a small action, but it can have a big impact. Swapping out disposable items in favor of reusable gear will streamline the waste system and reduce the environmental harm often caused by single-use items. Stay up-to-date regarding plastic bag bans and other environmental news when you sign up for our newsletter!