Protect the environment: 5 tips to reduce plastic!
3 de July, 2020
Did you know that between 1 and 5 billion plastic bags are currently used globally every year? It’s true, plastic bags can be our best friends when it comes to practicality, but the picture changes when we realize that they are one of the biggest threats to the sustainability of our planet
There’s no doubt that plastic has improved our quality of life in many ways. After all, it’s a cheap, lightweight and flexible material. However, its excessive consumption has brought us face to face with a serious problem of pollution and waste…
Every year, millions of animals die as a result of plastic pollution. Every year, 8 million tons of this material are deposited in the oceans alone! To add to this serious threat to biodiversity, it is estimated that only 9% of all plastic produced to date has been recycled. The good news? In recent years, there has been a growing effort by governments and international organizations to legislate on the production and consumption of single-use plastics.
In Portugal, for example, a law has been passed banning retailers from distributing the plastic bags commonly used for fruit, vegetables, bread and the packaging of many other foods until 2023. However, the truth is that no matter how much legislation is passed, individual behavior is extremely important!
So, on International Plastic Bag Free Day, we bring you some tips for using this material more consciously!
- Plastic bags? Find alternatives!
Every time we go to the supermarket, we bring home a huge amount of plastic that we could easily reduce if we chose to take small cloth, raffia or sturdy plastic bags with us. There are lots of ecological bag alternatives on the market. The hardest part is getting into this new habit! We know that going to the supermarket isn’t always planned, so why not keep one of these reusable bags in your car or backpack? That way, you’re always prepared! Give it a try! - Straws? Never again!
Straws, small objects that seem so insignificant, but whose environmental impact is enormous! Do you really need to drink your juice through a plastic tube? We can even admit that our drinks take on a new charm, but the truth is that, with a little creativity, there is potential to solve this waste in an extremely elegant way! Nowadays, you can find straws made of bamboo and glass almost everywhere! - Choose to buy in bulk!
Have you ever noticed how much plastic you buy, for example, just for breakfast cereals or spices? We know it’s not always easy, but when you can, choose to buy in bulk. Not only will you buy more, but the products themselves will have a longer shelf life! - The secret is in the details!
It’s often the simplest activities in our daily lives that generate the most waste. Can’t find an example? We’ll help! The act of eating an ice cream may seem harmless, but the choice between cone and cup involves more responsibility than it seems. Always prefer the cone and apply this line of critical thinking to small everyday actions! - Recycle and reuse plastic!
Well, even if you follow all these tips, we know that it’s not always easy not to buy plastic products, but the truth is that many plastic containers can be used more than once, for example to store food in the fridge. When, in fact, it is no longer possible to reuse plastic, make sure you recycle it in the right way and that your replacement is made of a more environmentally friendly material!
Ready to start changing the world?