What can we do to reduce plastic pollution?

Let’s be clear and straightforward about the subject: Plastics are simply awful. They have only been environmentally detrimental by causing irreversible damage to our oceans, mountain ranges, and our bodies. It is now common knowledge that plastics are directly responsible, at least partially, to the rapid collapse of our ecosystem. Now is the time not only to think about how we as human beings could change our habits, but it is also the time to take immediate action. As an abundance of plastic waste piles up in our rivers, cities and environments, it’s time to walk the walk and not only talk the talk.

Developed countries, such as Japan or the USA, are the largest producers of plastic waste around the globe. USA and Japan have been at the forefront and leading the charge in a competition to see who can produce most of the world’s plastic waste. Jokes aside, (no, there isn’t a competition), both countries must step up their game to tackle waste issues.

Although Japan has set up a complex recycling system for plastics, almost 70% of its plastic is incinerated due to the fact that it is impossible to reuse more than a handful of times. This is a huge issue that Japan needs to address because sugar coating a dire situation does not prevent the problem, but enables terrible sustainable business practices. However, it is not fair to place the sole blame on both the USA and Japan. The EU ranks third in its production of plastic waste, which may not surprise anyone who keeps up with current events. Maybe we should start asking ourselves: how do we take action, and what can we do to help prevent an ever-dawning crisis?

Refuse and Reuse: Adopting zero waste mindset

Many people have already begun turning to alternatives to tackle plastic use and the inevitable waste it produces. However, a significant method in cutting down on such waste is to bring your own grocery bags, carry around your own utensils, and for the sake of humanity (as well as the plant and animal kingdom/queendom), avoid packaging as much as possible! I say this because a good chunk of plastic waste comes from packaging. Packaging accounts for approximately 40% of produced plastic, with most of the material thrown out after being used only once.

How can packaging plastic be avoided? It’s best to check out your local area to discover whether zero-waste or sustainable stores exist. Take Nue By Toyota as an example. This store allows users to bring their own jars or sustainable packaging so that consumers can self-pack the store’s assortment of nuts, legumes and other goodies. Furthermore, checking out a zero waste store may also cut down on the production of packaging waste, thanks to sustainably-minded owners who may choose different forms of shipping and receiving goods.

Get rid of plastic bottles once and for all

It’s only my own personal opinion, but plastic bottles are the worst of the worst. And unfortunately, they sometimes have been a necessary evil for developing countries with little to no access to clean water. 500 billion bottles are used every year, which is a staggering amount. Furthermore, less than half of these bottles bought in 2016 were recycled.

If this isn’t enough to convince you to chill out on your plastic bottle consumption, it usually takes three times as much water to make a bottle of water than it does to actually fill it. Still not convinced? How about this fun fact? If you fill 25% of a water bottle with oil, you’ll know how much liquified dinosaur fossil fuel it took just to manufacture just one bottle. So even if you recycle your water bottle, it still may not be the most sustainable method to quench the body’s thirst. Go ahead and invest in a personal water bottle, and aim for one that is either made of glass or stainless steel. It is also worth noting that glass can be recycled endlessly, making it one of the most sustainable materials on the planet.

Group effort through engaging with local communities and governments

Another popular option to fight plastic waste is to become involved within your local communities and governments. It may not be a path many people would like to take; however, garnering a zero-waste community could help impact the way local and large businesses carry out in-house business operations.

Kamikatsu, a small Japanese village, has already pushed their community in the right direction by aiming to become a zero-waste town. Over the past twenty years, the remote village on Japan’s famous Shikoku island has improved methods so that the majority of items can be reused and not mindlessly discarded. Imagine if a large city such as Tokyo or Berlin could emulate this on a grander scale. This would have a positive impact on our now-fragile environment. If we unite against big plastic businesses and make our voices collectively heard, demanding huge changes to provide a zero-waste society could prevent or even reverse the amount of plastic waste and garbage in general.

Recognize our responsibility to consume sustainably

However, this is, of course, easier said than done. Most of us are quite complacent with how plastic has made our lives cushier. However, this sort of carelessness will soon change our way of life, and not for the better. Even now, we see higher temperatures around the world. Berlin, Germany, is being choked by sweltering heat, and California’s droughts and fires are becoming worse with each passing year. Canada hit more than 49 degrees Celcius last week. Plastic waste may seem trivial, but its significant influence on climate change is already taking its toll.

It is also essential to understand that a sustainable change in our communities or individual habits is not enough. It is unfair to place only the blame on us as consumers. Major corporations and businesses must seriously step up to the plate and not think only of the bottom line. Now is an excellent time to speak about how businesses and corporations play a leading role in curbing plastic waste and reversing adverse effects, which are certainly unavoidable without change.