Today the world produces more than 380 million tonnes of plastic every year. The plastic waste then ends up as pollutants in our natural environment and oceans.
57,9 million tonnes of that waste is produced by Europe alone.
Small steps we take can significantly reduce this number and help leave a better world for subsequent generations.
More than 1 million plastic bags are used across the globe every day. Annually, about 500 billion plastic bags are produced. Whether you are shopping at the mall or grocery store, make sure to have a reusable shopping bag with you so you can enjoy a plastic-free shopping spree.
*Plastic bags take hundreds of years to degrade, pollute the environment, and directly harm many living organisms.
Leave the plastic bags behind and opt for glass or reusable food bags which are more eco-friendly than single-use plastic. Many brands make glass containers with lids for all of your packed food needs. Mason jars are also another creative and hip way to pack your food for lunch.
Cardboard is more easily recycled and, unlike plastic, will biodegrade over time. While plastics can be recycled, it is a costly process, so choosing cardboard packaging when buying products such as detergents will help reduce the plastic that needs to be produced.
E-billing may very well be one of the most overlooked green practices that we could all be doing. Even though paper billing doesn’t involve a lot of plastic, e-billing can help reduce our ecological footprint. It also offers many side benefits for saving non-renewable resources such as paper and water.
It is not always easy to change habits, but we can trick our brains into making it easier to adapt to the changes needed for a better world. The brain loves to complete tasks. Setting goals for yourself and your family like having a Plastic Free July will help the world and increase the joy you get from changing your plastic habits in as short as a month.
