Maybe you live in a cottage by the sea, love surfing, or
scuba dive every day. If so, you’ve seen the effects of human destruction and
pollution up close and personal. But, maybe you live far inland, maybe you never
visit the beach, maybe you have never seen the ocean and never plan to. That
doesn’t make the oceans any less important to you.
In fact, anyone who is a fan of living and breathing
should be a fan of the seas. They produce about half of our oxygen, enabling the
planet to sustain life – and we are suffocating them with pollution. Over one
hundred thousand marine mammals, and more than one million seabirds perish every
year as a result of plastic pollution. And it’s not just animals that are dying.
We are killing the seas themselves, with more than 500 dead zones already
recorded, according to
UNESCO.
So, are the seas doomed?
If we keep doing what we’re doing, probably so.
Fortunately, times are changing. Slowly, laws are being passed and many
businesses are becoming more eco-friendly. Is it enough? Is it happening fast
enough? Those are the questions that no one can answer yet, but the rapid
decline of marine environments indicates that we need to do more. And, you can
do more than you may think.
Plastic is a big problem. Tens of thousands of tons are
produced, used, and discarded every day. Powerful corporate lobbyists fight
against environmental legislation. While the grueling fight against plastics can
be disheartening, there is gradual progress. Moreover, the individual consumer
is not as powerless (or as innocent) as many people believe.
Despite the focus of legal and corporate action, it’s
hard to overlook the responsibility of consumers. Economics, at its simplest
level, is supply and demand. Simply put, if we don’t buy it, they won’t make it.
Furthermore, if we don’t throw it out, it won’t land in the oceans. A
depressingly large amount of plastic pollution can be attributed to our desire
for convenience.
Disposable shopping bags, single-serve beverages, individually
wrapped snacks, plastic silverware… They all have two things in common. We can
live without them, and they are trashing the planet.
According to the
EPA, the United States
generated 32 million tons of plastic trash in 2012, with less than 10% of it
recycled. Only about one third of that was durable goods, a category including
items such as appliances. Non-durable goods, like the plastic cups we use for
convenience at parties, accounted for nearly 7 million tons, and packaging
(including plastic water bottles) produced a whopping 14 tons of waste.
We can do better!
Addressing the problem at legal and corporate levels is
no small task, but it’s not entirely out of your hands. You can write to
legislators and business leaders, sign petitions, donate time or money to
environmental groups, and add your voice to online discussions. Yes, even the
last item makes a difference, because public opinion drives industrial trends.
Beyond that, we can strive to reduce – or better yet
eliminate – plastics from our lives. In fact, one of the best solutions to
plastic pollution can be summarized the three very familiar words: Reduce,
reuse, and recycle. Three simple words, with endless ways to implement them;
here are a few tips:
- Skip the pre-packaged, single-serve, convenience foods, bubble-packs, and similarly packaging-laden items. Farmer’s markets, produce isles, and natural food stores often have bulk bins or displays, allowing you to fill your own re-usable container and skip packaging completely.
- Thrift stores and second-hand shops can save you money, and keep someone’s discarded treasures out of the trash. Similarly, crafters often work with re-purposed or eco-friendly (plastic free) supplies, and if you buy locally packaging can often be avoided.
- Opt for glass food storage, steel water bottles, and other durable, environmentally friendly, alternatives to plastic containers. Even plastic products billed as reusable, such as commuter mugs and serving trays, often find their way to the trash after just a few uses.
- Beware of hidden plastics. Plastic pollution includes less obvious sources such as microbeads in cosmetic products, synthetic fibers in clothing, plastic notebook covers, watch bands, and kids costume jewelry.
The above list is just a few of many possibilities. Most
importantly think. Pay attention to every piece of plastic you use and discard;
be resourceful with solutions. It’s time to think outside the plastic bag!
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