India celebrates ‘World Environment Day’ on the 5th of June. However this year, India was the global host for the event. Pioneering a critical theme I.e Beat plastic pollution, India wasn’t not just propagating the theme to a universal level but itself is a victim of plastic pollution.
As firm as the host India is, recognizing the urgent need to focus on this significant issue is necessary. The nation has piloted a resolution on banning single-use plastic bags, it comes in the spirit of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsava’, a defining step to curb plastic pollution.
The theme urges governments, industries, and individuals to come forward and act on all the sustainable measures one can take to reduce plastic pollution. The Government and Industries are playing their part by pulling up plastic production.
Now, how can we as the general public contribute to the cause and support the plastic ban by authorities.? Mad4India suggests 8 actions that can serve as a part of your daily routine and have a big impact, this way we can also support the plastic ban and adopt plastic ban alternatives.
Become a part of the plastic solution rather than Plastic Pollution.
1. Use Bottles That Are Reusable
If your first instinct to remove thirst is to buy a new bottle every now and then, know that these bottles take up to hundreds of years for our environment to finally pay off the use.
The drill here is to reduce personal plastic consumption, which will eventually eliminate these bottles from our ecosystem. One should be committed to using reusable bottles or carrying a steel bottle instead.
2. Stop Using Plastic Bags When Shopping
The kitchen, and especially the pantry, make a large amount of plastic used at once. Keep a set of reusable shopping bags close to you. So that you can buy food and fill up your fridges with fruit and vegetables without any contamination of health and mother earth.
The centre has banned single-use plastic bags that are less than 100 microns. The disposable or reusable plastic bags comprise more than 120 microns which are easily breakable. However, to completely curb plastic pollution from our environment, cotton bags and jute bags can make a significant wreck on the ongoing hazard.
3. ‘You Sleep On Plastic’
Scientists have discovered microplastics in human blood. These tiny pieces can be found almost everywhere on earth. Even on the beddings, you sleep on. Synthetic fibers shed microplastic every time you wash them.
To reduce plastic pollution in this situation, choosing quality natural fabrics like cotton, and linen can be another step in the right direction.
4. Wet Wipes Are Not Good
Surprised? Yes, the wet wipes we use are made of a mix of plastics. These further cause a huge clogging problem when flushed in toilets.
Switching from wet wipes to cotton towels and rags is a tiny adjustment but brings a huge change altogether.
5. Visit Your Nearest Crockery Banks
An example of how small changes can make big impacts. Crockery or utensils bank provides a collection of steel utensils that anyone can use for any social gathering that too free of cost.
In a bid to reduce the usage of plastic, the idea is to help citizens cut down the use of single-use plastic (Use and Throw plates). These cutlery banks are operating Pan-India.
6. Opt For Bar Soap
By simply replacing your body wash and liquid soap with plastic bottles, you can do your bit for the environment. The body wash is packaged in disposable plastic bottles that contribute to plastic pollution. These body washes are normally made with synthetic detergents and pseudo-fragrances
Bar soaps on the other hand can be manufactured with minimal packaging. The plastic footprint created in manufacturing bar soap is fairly low.
7. Plastic Straws Are Past
Not only are plastic straws dangerous at sea and to the environment we live in, but they are also unhealthy, and the final nail in the coffin is, that it’s difficult to dispose of them responsibly. Even if you try to recycle them, they are smaller, which means that they fall into the sorting screens of recycling machines and are mixed with other materials, contaminating recycling loads.
The good news, though, is that there are so many substitutes available for plastic straws – and when it comes to real sustainability, you can’t go wrong with paper straws. They only take two months to decompose in the environment, and they do not need any special technology or intervention to do so.
These paper straws are odorless, tasteless, and waterproof for long enough to enjoy every last drop of your drink.
8. Extend The Life Of Plastic
Nearly 100 million plastic bottles are used and disposed of daily, and 80% of them become un-recycled waste!
However, if for some reason you have to buy plastic water bottles, it is best to reuse and reuse as much as possible. Rather than disposing of them in the environment, they extend the life of plastic. This will likewise reduce the daily plastic pollution we hurl into nature.
Feature Image – Flickr
If you loved reading this article about plastic pollution, click to know more about India Bans ‘Single Use Plastic Bags’ – Read How Will It Impact You
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