Is it even possible to go plastic-free totally with plastic being present everywhere? Plastic pollution is affecting the land, seas, animals, birds, and so much more. And the degradation of plastic is so slow that it stays in the environment for thousands of years. And that is the reason why leading a plastic-free life is more important now than ever.
Giving up just on plastic grocery bags doesn’t mean that you are living a plastic-free life. It’s about every choice that you make every day and finding alternatives. We should live with a minimal amount of plastic, and it is possible with the right attitude and willingness.
Impact of plastic on different areas.
On human health- Scientists have found microplastic’s in around 114 Marine species, and that means humans are consuming plastic contained seafood. The chemicals added to plastic are considered endocrine disruptors and interfere with the brain, especially in children. When it comes to packaged food, there is BPAs present that comes in contact with the food. This component is another endocrine disruptor and can affect the normal functioning of our body’s metabolism, heart rate, digestion, and even fertility.
Our human bodies also absorb plastic through synthetic fibers treated with thousands of harmful toxic chemicals. Moreover, we also breathe plastic through pollution in the air, and its increasing amount is a big concern.
On animals and aquatic flora and fauna- When it comes to terrestrial animals, there have been many times when small birds and animals get stuck in plastic containers. That can lead to suffocation and even death. Animals also sometimes mistake plastic for food and consume it, which can cause intestinal blockage and sometimes even death. The same goes for aquatic flora and fauna.
The fishes in the sea ingest tons of plastic every year that causes intestinal injury and death. And the plastic gets transferred to the bigger fishes, marine mammals, and human seafood eaters. Cases of sea turtles suffering from these types of injuries come up quite often. The plastic problem has become so severe that it affects the reproduction process of aquatic animals as well. Marine animals get entangled in plastic which can lead to injury.
On the environment- One of the victims is the environment when it comes to using plastic. It comes from crude oil, and crude oil releases a significant amount of pollutants. As it has already mentioned at the start, plastic is non-biodegradable. Plastic bottles cover the ocean surface today that leads to the destruction of habitats and wildlife.
11 Tips on plastic-free life.
- Ditch the single-use plastic grocery bag and go for ecological canvas tote bags or paper bags.
- Try avoiding chewing gums because it contains synthetic rubber that can be harmful to our health.
- Visit the local farmers and local markets to find plastic-free packed foods. Use cloth bags for packing everything. Jute bags, reusable paper bags, and canvas bags are also great alternatives.
- Take your containers while going to buy meat instead of using Styrofoam plates covered in plastic.
- Do not buy Water bottles and other bottled juices which come in plastic containers.
- Try to store your food products in glass containers rather than using plastic containers. You can also use stainless steel.
- Many personal care products contain plastic, and you can know them by checking out their ingredient list. Avoid buying any products that have polyethylene or ethylenes.
- For the mothers out there, avoid buying plastic toys for children. Today beautiful wooden toys are available in many stores that can be excellent alternatives.
- Add clothes made of natural fibers to your closet-like pure cotton instead of synthetic fibers. Synthetic fibers contain plastic, and it sheds plastic when washed.
- Ditch plastic toothbrushes and go for bamboo ones. By doing this, we are taking care of our health and supporting the companies that try to avoid plastic.
- Go for old-school cloth diapers instead of disposable ones to reduce plastic waste.
These small steps can help in having a plastic-free life that can help you contribute to the environment.
