Plastic may have revolutionised the way we live, but plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues. We know that the production and use of plastic have a significant negative impact on the environment, wildlife, and public health, but how do we use less of it and why haven’t governments created better recycling policies?

The majority of plastic bottles and containers now contain a fully recyclable sign, but how much of this plastic is actually recycled and turned into something new?

According to a study by Greenpeace, the majority of plastic in the US is headed to landfills. Another report looks at how plastic waste is handled in the UK and it’s either being dumped in other countries or burned. Burning plastic can generate and release pollutants, hurting the environment and affecting air quality and public health. This sounds daunting and whilst recycling shouldn’t be stopped, it certainly is not the solution to the problem at hand.

If we are going to protect our environment and communities, governments should cut the use of single-use plastic and introduce better recycling schemes like the ones found in Denmark for example. I lived in Denmark for three and a half years and during my time there, I was introduced to an incredibly simple system in which supermarkets actually took responsibility for plastic and glass recycling.

We need to cut the production and use of plastic and here is why:

  1. Plastic waste pollutes our environment: Plastic waste litters our streets, clogs our waterways, and accumulates in our oceans. Plastic waste takes hundreds of years to decompose, and in the meantime, it can harm wildlife and ecosystems. Marine animals can mistake plastic for food, leading to entanglement, suffocation, and other problems.
  2. Plastic contributes to climate change: The production of plastic is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The extraction and transportation of fossil fuels, which are used to make plastic, release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Additionally, plastic production requires a significant amount of energy, which also contributes to climate change.
  3. Plastic production and disposal are resource-intensive: The production of plastic requires a significant amount of resources, including fossil fuels, water, and energy. On the other hand, disposing of plastic waste requires resources like land, energy, and water. By reducing the production and use of plastic, we can conserve these valuable resources.
  4. Plastic is harmful to our health: Some plastic products contain harmful chemicals, such as bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and flame retardants. These chemicals can leach into food and beverages, potentially harming human health.
  5. There are alternatives to plastic: There are many alternatives to plastic, including biodegradable plastics, glass, bamboo, paper products, and reusable containers. By using these alternatives, we can reduce our dependence on plastic and reduce the negative impacts of plastic production and disposal.

We can all take steps to reduce our plastic use, simple changes can have a big impact. For example, you can use reusable bags when you go shopping, try and choose products with minimal plastic packaging, and buy loose fruit and vegetables at supermarkets. You can also try and opt-in for plastic-free product alternatives such as using companies like Smol or adopting the use of Beeswax Wraps instead of using foil.