Let's begin with the complex issue of 'plastic use' as an example. The severe over-usage of plastic in our world is out of control. Specifically and especially single-use plastic, because it's a one-time use of a substance that either never decomposes, or that eventually breaks down into toxic chemicals which leach into our water and food. As intelligent humans and consumers, how did we let it get to this point? There are many factors, but a big one is because our waste, in general, is an out-of-sight-out-of-mind concept. Nearly everything we consume these days has some form of packaging that's usually petroleum-based plastic, and once we get to the item we desire, its wrapping becomes garbage, which we discard and forget about forever. But the effects of that action will ripple, continuing to do no good, only harm, for the rest of its long lifespan. There's a good chance that one of the pieces of plastic trash that any one of us has discarded in the past and never thought about again, is currently wreaking its own little havoc on this environment we share with every other living thing on this planet. Together, we're slowly poisoning the oceans and destroying the environment that sustains us and all life, simply out of convenience for ourselves. So what can we do to reduce the inevitable damage done from plastic?
A few ways to reduce plastic waste immediately:
- Invest in reusables and actually use them. Use things like cloth shopping bags, cotton cloths in the kitchen (they can be washed, as opposed to sponges), bamboo to-go utensils, stainless or glass water bottles, insulated to-go cups, glass containers (for to-go food, leftovers, etc.) and anything else you can think of, in order to replace disposable plastic items with reusable ones.
- Find ways to reuse any plastic that would otherwise be tossed out after one use. Such as; to-go cups and containers, straws, bottles, plastic produce bags, sandwich and freezer bags, bubble wrap, etc. and push yourself to get creative!
- Buy food from farmer's markets and in bulk as often as possible to reduce unnecessary plastic packaging waste.
Several more involved ways to reduce plastic waste in general:
- Do your research! Most of us have a library and/or the internet easily accessible and we shouldn't take that for granted because information is powerful. We can search out solutions and get the facts of who (companies/organizations/people) and what (products/ideas) are contributing the most (positively and negatively) to the plastic problem.
- Vote for officials and legislations which support the reduction of petroleum-based products, etc. and write to already elected officials if they need to be informed.
- Call or write to companies of products that you may love but that overuse plastic, and urge them to create other packaging options so they won't lose your business.
- Invent solutions. There are innovative minds of all ages across the globe that may just need a bit of inspiration in order to spark an idea that could bring necessary change. If we put our mind to it, any of us are capable of creating solutions to plastic pollution.
- Educate others and spread knowledge of plastic pollution. When we get those around us involved, and they get those around them involved, etc., it makes a bigger and bigger difference.
A few ways to reduce plastic waste immediately:
- Invest in reusables and actually use them. Use things like cloth shopping bags, cotton cloths in the kitchen (they can be washed, as opposed to sponges), bamboo to-go utensils, stainless or glass water bottles, insulated to-go cups, glass containers (for to-go food, leftovers, etc.) and anything else you can think of, in order to replace disposable plastic items with reusable ones.
- Find ways to reuse any plastic that would otherwise be tossed out after one use. Such as; to-go cups and containers, straws, bottles, plastic produce bags, sandwich and freezer bags, bubble wrap, etc. and push yourself to get creative!
- Buy food from farmer's markets and in bulk as often as possible to reduce unnecessary plastic packaging waste.
Several more involved ways to reduce plastic waste in general:
- Do your research! Most of us have a library and/or the internet easily accessible and we shouldn't take that for granted because information is powerful. We can search out solutions and get the facts of who (companies/organizations/people) and what (products/ideas) are contributing the most (positively and negatively) to the plastic problem.
- Vote for officials and legislations which support the reduction of petroleum-based products, etc. and write to already elected officials if they need to be informed.
- Call or write to companies of products that you may love but that overuse plastic, and urge them to create other packaging options so they won't lose your business.
- Invent solutions. There are innovative minds of all ages across the globe that may just need a bit of inspiration in order to spark an idea that could bring necessary change. If we put our mind to it, any of us are capable of creating solutions to plastic pollution.
- Educate others and spread knowledge of plastic pollution. When we get those around us involved, and they get those around them involved, etc., it makes a bigger and bigger difference.
**Put It Into Practice**
Ever have a difficult time seeing all the viral photos and videos circulating social media that expose the harm and destruction humans cause? Things like dying, homeless orangutans because of palm oil extraction, islands covered in waste and animals dead from plastic, or polar bears starving and their population declining due to climates changing; they are, indeed, hard to look at but we need to see it so that we understand what's happening, so we feel emotionally moved and responsible, so that we want to help change things in any way possible. We must focus more time and energy on actually doing something about it - not just reposting, sharing or commenting on it - but taking action to start a change. The ways in which we can be ECO-MAD are unlimited! We can EXERT CONSCIENTIOUS OPTIONS and MAKE A DIFFERENCE on so many levels! We don't have to make extravagant lifestyle changes if we don't want to, but we can absolutely focus on one issue at a time and we must begin immediately, there's no excuse not to and at least 7 billion reasons to try. Check your habits, tweak your actions, make all those little sustainable choices that will add up over time, then spread your knowledge with others to multiply the effect even more. Help create the movement, because we don't want to be the ones in history who let our unchecked consumption and greedy destruction ruin it for everyone and everything else...
