Even the tiniest thing is often wrapped multiple times in plastic to enhance its appearance or facilitate easy handling and its transportation....
EARTH FILES
The amount of plastic we use today is astonishing, ranging from shopping bags to food wrappers, water bottles and various household items. Even the tiniest thing is often wrapped multiple times in plastic to enhance its appearance or facilitate easy handling and its transportation.
Our desire for convenience has contributed to the increased use of plastic, which has damaged our environment drastically. Let’s consider the alarming number of plastic water bottles people use because the tap water mostly is not drinkable. Unfortunately, a large percentage of these bottles are not properly recycled and end up scattered in various locations, which ultimately go to the oceans.
Plastic makes our life easy but has a negative impact on Earth. Plastic bags take years to decompose and are a threat to soil, water and marine life, even air. It remains with us in some form. The seafood we eat has microplastic in it, due to over flooding of oceans with plastic. It’s even in the air we breathe.
*Approximately 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year.
*Almost 80% of the ocean is polluted with plastic.
*If current pollution trends continue, it is projected that there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050.
*Every year, enough plastic is discarded to wrap the Earth approximately four times, and only around 9% of plastic waste worldwide is recycled.
Source:https://oceanliteracy.unesco.org/plastic-pollution-ocean/
We are so prone to using plastic that cutting it completely from our lives would be quite difficult. However, let’s shed some light on what manufacturers, retailers, authorities, and individuals can do in this regard. Perhaps our minimal acts can work wonders.
What can the manufacturers do?
If people start taking reusable cloth bags to the supermarkets, and keep reusable bottles and mugs with them everywhere they go, it would help. But this would be like a drop in the ocean because most of the things we shop are either made of plastic or wrapped in plastic which has to be discarded anyway.
So, there is no solution until the manufacturer realises the adverse effects of the things they are selling in plastic packing, and uses other alternative packing methods.
For example paper bags for food packaging will be good, but they must ensure that they are properly recycled to avoid trading one environmental problem for another.
Or the solution would be tree-planting initiatives, where industries are required to plant new trees to offset the environmental impact of cutting down existing ones.
Manufacturers should take the lead in addressing the significant contribution of plastic pollution to the climate crisis, as the production of plastic heavily relies on fossil fuels.
These days few environmentally conscious entrepreneurs use jute or biodegradable packing which not only looks appealing but is sustainable as well. These kinds of practices must be used more frequently.
Retailers can take several practical steps to address their lack of concern for the long-term consequences of using plastic, thereby mitigating the looming catastrophe.
They should switch to glass bottles and introduce a bottle return system. Promoting cloth bags for shopping can minimize single-use plastic bags. Using paper cutlery instead of plastic utensils is another sustainable alternative.
What can the government do?
Without the intervention of the government, entrepreneurs and retailers cannot effectively address the issue at a mass level. It is the government’s responsibility to take action, and put a limit to plastic production. They should establish proper recycling centres, and encourage the adoption of innovative packaging methods. Furthermore, the government should enforce a ban on single-use plastic items.
What can an individual do?
An individual can contribute in several ways. Firstly, there is a dire need for education and counseling on recycling, reusing and maintaining a clean environment. Many people unknowingly contribute to plastic pollution by disposing off used masks and gloves without realising they are spreading germs and creating more waste.
The destruction of the oceans ultimately affects mankind, as plastic poses a significant threat to both human and marine life. Therefore, it is crucial for us as human beings to make a pledge to shop using eco-friendly bags, such as our own reusable bags or paper bags.
We all should be concerned about the impacts of overusing plastic, and it is our ethical duty to be conscious of the purchasing and consumption patterns currently in use.
Breaking free from plastic reliance can only be achieved through collaborative frameworks involving companies, governments and the support of the public. Individuals should adopt cleaner, greener and better alternatives.
