Six Ways to Stop Plastic Pollution Madness
Here’s How You Can Help Put a Stop to Plastic Pollution
Awareness about plastic pollution has gone mainstream, and that’s a very good thing. Plastic pollution is a problem for the planet and its people, which is growing bigger and bigger by the day. It can be alarming and depressing, but you can help turn things around.
As one person, you may think your contribution cannot really help, but that’s just not true. You can make a difference when it comes to putting a stop to the plastic pollution madness. Here are six things you can do to reduce plastic pollution.
The Problem With Plastic
Plastic is not inherently wrong. This lightweight and durable material are useful in lots of applications. Furthermore, plastic can also be recycled in most instances. This means this helpful material can be repurposed into new things that provide value and are used repeatedly.
However, the problem with plastic comes down to how seldom it is recycled. When plastic is not recycled, it either ends up in landfills or as litter. Neither of these outcomes is good, and both deliver negative environmental implications.
You may do everything right and recycle the plastic you use. Just because you toss items in a recycling bin doesn’t mean those items are recycled. Things may fall out of the bin, or a recycling facility may end up landfilling items for various reasons. The only surefire way to reduce plastic pollution is to reduce the amount of plastic you use.
How to Have a Positive Impact on Plastic Pollution
While it may not be feasible to reduce all of the plastic you use ultimately, you can take steps to reduce the amount of plastic you use. Here’s what you can do to reverse the negative impacts of plastic and put a stop to the madness behind plastic pollution.
1. Support Causes
Plastic pollution cleanup is a massive problem, and there are lots of people out there looking for solutions. Some of these solutions are delivering very real results. A great group doing fantastic work is 4ocean. This business organizes clean cleanups to remove the trash on beaches and in the ocean. All of their work is funded through the sale of bracelets. All you need to do is buy a bracelet, and 4ocean will use that money to clean up and raise awareness of the plastic pollution problem.
2. Use Reusable Shopping Bags
Reusable shopping bags are a great alternative to single-use plastic bags. Single-use plastic shopping bags are notorious for ending up as litter and cause significant damage to animals, their habitats, and the food chain. Making the switch to reusable bags can drastically reduce the amount of single-use plastic bags used.
3. Consider Your Clothing
Most people don’t realize the environmental impact of their clothing. Polyester is made from crude oil, so clothing made from this fabric isn’t the best option for the environment, particularly if it is not recycled. Lots of manufacturers are making clothing and even shoes from recycled plastic.
4. Setting Up a Plastic-Free Household
Going plastic-free may seem impossible, but it’s not that hard. Whenever you select items for your home, whether furniture, utensils, decor, or more, look for things that are stainless steel, ceramic, cotton, recyclable, or made from recycled materials.
5. Say No To Straws
Restaurants all over the country like Starbucks are committing to banning straws, so why not hop on board. Eco-friendly straws are easy to carry with you and help reduce plastic on our planet.
6. Say No to Single-Use Plastic Water Bottles
Staying hydrated is essential for your health, but there is no reason to lug around single-use plastic water bottles. Reusable water bottles are a durable alternative to single-use plastic bottles. Materials like aluminum and stainless steel hold up for years of use and make it easy to use less plastic.
Let’s Get to It
Reducing your use of plastic can deliver big results and help decrease plastic pollution. Have you tried any of these plastic reducing tips? Do you have suggestions that didn’t make our list? Let us know!
We have been in the business of creating custom promotional products for almost 30 years, and we are committed to reducing the negative impacts of plastic pollution and helping our customers.
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