Plastic Pollution and How We Can Reduce Our Reliance on Plastic
Plastic Pollution and How We Can Reduce Our Reliance on Plastics (Especially Single Use!)
Plastic pollution is a huge problem globally and it has seemed to have crept up on us over the last few years. Single-use plastics that are quick to use but not so fast to dispose of are the main culprit.
Plastic Pollution Facts and Figures
- At least 8 million pieces of plastic enter the oceans each day (Surfers Against Sewage)
- Approximately 5,000 items of marine plastic pollution are found per mile of beach in the UK (Surfers Against Sewage)
- 1 in 3 species of marine mammals have been found entangled in litter in the oceans (Plastic Oceans)
- Over 90% of all seabirds have some kind of plastic in their stomachs (Plastic Oceans)
- Over the last decade, humans have produced more plastic than during the whole of the last century (Plastic Oceans)
- A plastic bag is used, on average, for 15 minutes before it's thrown away (Plastic Oceans) — this includes 'bags for life'.
Why Are Humans 'Addicted' to Single-Use Plastic?
- Cheap to produce, meaning plastic products are cheaper than alternatives
- Easily produced and replicated — we can make more, easier, quicker and cheaper!
Easy Plastic-Free Swaps
What you use now... |
What you could swap to... |
Plastic containers like from takeaways... |
Reusable metal or glass containers are a brilliant swap. Try our Morri Metal Container, the Kadapa Metal Containers Set of Three, or browse our glass storage range. BPA free is best, and if you ask your local takeaway, they might even fill containers you bring yourself! |
Plastic water bottles — remember, water companies are really just selling you the plastic bottle |
Reusable water bottles are a simple, stylish swap. Lots of cafes and restaurants are also part of the Refill campaign so you can top up for free. We stock the Eau Good Glass Water Bottle in Blue and Red (650ml), plus the Eau Good Duo Water Filter & Infuser in Blue and Red (700ml). |
Sliced bread in plastic bags |
Why not try bakery loaves in paper bags from your supermarket? |
Thin plastic bags for loose fruit and veg |
Cotton bags for fruit and veg — some supermarkets now make these available in the fruit and veg section, and you can buy them from health stores or eco-friendly shops. We have some on our website here. |
Toiletries in plastic bottles |
There are a few simple swaps you can make — shampoo and conditioner bars, soap bars instead of shower gel, and many shops now offer refills. We stock a great range of plastic-free toiletries including: |
Plastic washing up utensils |
You can now buy washing up brushes made from wood, coconut and natural fibres, wooden pan scrapers and brass brushes for tougher cleaning. Natural sponges made out of cellulose also make a plastic-free alternative. Find some here. |
Plastic bags and 'bags for life' |
Organic cotton bags are a brilliant long-lasting alternative — they're durable, washable, and fully biodegradable. We stock them in two sizes: Small (20x28cm) and Large. |
Takeaway coffee cups |
Take your own refillable cup. They come in all sizes, colours and materials — metal, ceramic or even bamboo! Lots of cafes also offer money off your drink if you bring your own cup. We have reusable Rice Husk Travel Cups in store — choose from Koalas, Butterflies, Charcoal and Sunflower. |
Tea bags — did you know some tea bags have plastic in them? |
Look for plastic-free tea bags or switch to loose leaf tea with a reusable infuser — widely available in health food shops and online. |
Why Are Single-Use Plastics Dangerous?
If left in the environment, plastics don't really break down — they just break up into micro-particles and nano-particles (super small). These microplastics can make their way into our diets by the process of biomagnification (toxins and pollution moving up the food chain and increasing in levels as they go).
How Microplastics Enter the Food Chain
Because micro and nano-particles are so small, they are readily absorbed by algae and plankton in the oceans. The algae is then eaten by aquatic insects, which are eaten by small fish, which are then eaten by larger fish — and ultimately by humans. At each stage of the food chain the amount of plastic increases.
(The image above shows phytoplankton, the base of the marine food chain)
Today, there is more and more evidence to suggest that plastic ingestion is harmful to marine animals, both physically and chemically. However, there isn't yet a lot of data to show what the effect might be on humans. Only time will tell — but we can act now to help reduce any impact.
Start Your Plastic-Free Journey Today
Every small swap makes a difference. Browse our full range of plastic-free and eco-friendly products at Eco Natural Products and take your first step towards a lower-plastic lifestyle.
References
Plastic Oceans — https://plasticoceans.org/the-facts/
Surfers Against Sewage — https://www.sas.org.uk/our-work/plastic-pollution/
