The Plastic Problem!
The plastic problem still so prevalent in our modern world. Plastics today are so rampantly polluting most natural environmental habitats today. The havoc our current lifestyle wreaks on the planet is coming centerstage, and we have to do something about it.
The Good News Is: There is still hope as new climate enthusiasts are finding their voice, more research and funding are being dedicated to reducing our footprint and waste pollution.
What is Plastic :
Plastic was produced in the 1940s, it is a synthetic compound that does not biodegrade, but keeps its chemical form. There is no mass solution applied to the biodegradation of plastic as of 2019. There have been recent news about a bacteria that has been synthetically produced that can digest plastic, however this is still in testing and has not been applied to fix this problem, but science and technology can play a huge role in allowing us to overcome this problem.
Plastic still by far remains one of our greatest challenges with the BBC reporting pieces of plastic waste being detected from products dating back to 1950s and Government Europa recently citing finding a Fairy Liquid bottle from 1971
Plastic waste: 47-year-old bottle found on British beach,
Science & Environment
Plastic is regularly dumped in the ocean consumed by fish which we then catch and consume.
A recent discovery article shows plastics were found in the Mariana Trench, the deepest we know of Underwater explorers say they've found plastic in deepest ocean trench – video
In 2015, researches tried to measure the quantity of micro-plastics in the ocean and said the number ranged from 15 to 51 trillion pieces weighing between 93,000 and 236,000 metric tons Ocean Life Eats Tons of Plastic—Here’s Why That Matters
On a cod sample scientists found 139 pieces of micro plastic for every 240g of fillet of fish produced on average Plastic Pollution Supermarket Fish
Research figures infer the average person consumes 70,000 plastic particles per year if in the US or Europe. There’s an additional 90,000 that many consume if you’re just drinking bottled water microplactics in food eating plastic waste. That translates to 100KG of plastic consumed each year if you live in Europe or North America plastic consumption the good, the bad and the ugly.
The actual health effects of us consuming plastic at this huge quantity is totally unclear, but it’s definitely not good. The earth can’t even digest plastic, I don’t think your body can (that’s just my opinion). Microplastics in food eating plastic waste
WHAT SHOULD WE DO
Britain is leading by example in reducing plastic waste with reports coming in that 70% (7 out of 10) of UK adults have taken active efforts to reduce the amount of packaging they use- especially that numbers came in for the year in February 2019 on plastic consumption and 80% believe retailers should do more to reduce plastic consumption in their stores. Eating with a conscience ethical food & drink sales hit £8.2 billion in 2018.
Having said that it will take alot more effort from our global community to actually improve the situation.
A wave of new package free stores are popping up- support them and buy your groceries plastic free. Waitrose is even launching its own packaging free section, signifying the start of ‘the green kilo” and this will significatly reduce usage of plastic.
We also suggest people to buy from local supermarkets and get products in their natural for. A organs has it’s natural wrapping, try not to buy a ready made fruit salad in a plastic container. Comprende? It’s all about using local ingredients which are more delicious and cheap, get your self a bag that you reuse, and even get some refillable containers for these plastic free stores.
If you ask how you can help this movement today and how you can reduce your plastic usage, follow these simple steps and you’ll actually make a measurable difference.
- Buy from local supermarkets
- Buy ingredients in their natural form (by an orange, not a fruit salad in a plastic container)
- Buy Local ingredients- more delicious, more cheap
- Buy a reusable bag
- Get some refillable containers and start buying from plastic free stores
- Separate your plastic waste & recycle it
Much love to you all, please share this information for your family and friends and start spreading the word. Help us save the planet!
