Plastic pollution is harming the life of humans and the environment. It contributes to climate change and global warming in the recent world. Focusing on the plastic crisis is an important global action and policy. Since single-use plastic takes up a major part of the earth.

People can use single-use plastics or disposables only once and throw them into a recycling bin. Because single-use plastic is easy and convenient in every place. Do you know that every plastic takes generally 450 years to decompose? It all is made of petrochemicals like fuel and fossil-based chemicals.

What are Single-Use Plastics?

Single-use plastic products are like plastic straws, plastic water bottles, coffee cups, plastic bags, plastic food containers, plastic cutlery, party cups, six-pack rings, and so on. However, they all are made for temporary use, not permanent. In the modern world, single-use plastics are found in all the major cities.

What is the Impact of Single-Use Plastics?

Single-use plastic products are not biodegradable quickly on landfilled and ocean areas. It damages marine animals’ and birds’ food. And it is also problematic for humans and the environment. 90% of plastics are dumped on the ocean and land-filled surfaces.

Tips to Reduce Single-Use Plastic

Here are some recommendations to reduce your plastic and clean your home and the earth.

1. Stop Buying Bottled Water

In the UK, 13 million plastic water bottles are used every year. And only 7.7 million bottles are recycled. Generally, plastic bottles are made from the chemical Bisphenol-A. If you can throw the plastic bottles on land surface areas, then it forms hazardous waste, and it affects human health. If it is necessary, use glass or steel bottles for drinking.

2. Drink Your Coffee from A Reusable Cup

Coffee cups come from less-quality plastic materials. The UK disposes of 7 million coffee cups every day and 2.5 billion coffee cups every year. And a few numbers of coffee cups are recycled. So, you can use sustainable paper cups for drinking. Because those are easily biodegradable in landfilled areas.

3. Carry Reusable Shopping Bags

Once you can invest in reusable bags, then you should avoid purchasing single-use plastic bags. Reusable shopping bags are made of canvas, natural fibers, and synthetic fibers. So, it conserves resources, eliminates recycling mistakes, protects wildlife, and saves you money.

4. Pack an Eco-Friendly Lunch

If you use plastic containers in your home for lunch, they generate household waste. You can use reusable food containers that are made of steel or ceramic plates and cups. Eco-friendly lunch is good for your health.

5. Purchase Reusable Items

Many reusable and natural products are available in local shops and online stores. You can decide the things which you want to buy and reuse for long days in your home. If you do not have an interest in online, then buy plastic alternatives like bamboo products, palm leaves, platinum silicone in your local shops.

6. Steer Clear of Plastic Straws 

Plastic straws are designed to only be used one time for a few minutes. Another reason is plastic straws are an unnecessary environmental hazard. Many alternatives are available for plastic straws. Those are metal straws, bamboo straws, glass straws, silicone straws, and so on.

7. Compost Food Waste

Most of the food wastes are recycled or composted. So don’t throw the food waste into the landfill with single-use plastic covers. It damages the soil and natural resources. So, save the food waste into the composite bin and dispose of it into organic covers. It saves the soil quality.

Conclusion

In this blog, we have learned some tips to reduce single-use plastic in daily life activities. So, the fight against single-use plastic starts with individuals who care about the environment.