Dealing with the Global Plastic Crisis
Plastic pollution has become a matter of concern across the globe. One of its leading perpetrators is disposable plastic products. Going by the recent set of numbers, about 19 to 23 million tonnes of plastic waste makes its way into aquatic ecosystems, causing water pollution.
Plastic pollution has a range of serious consequences, which include but are not limited to the destruction of marine life, damage to soil quality, and groundwater contamination. Each one of us is responsible for plastic pollution. Thus, the need of the hour is for all of us to join hands and work towards eliminating the ongoing global plastic crisis.
- Prevention Mode On:
Currently, most of us are looking to curb the impact of plastic pollution. For some reason, these are curative and corrective measures. For the greater good, what is required is to get into preventive mode, which means eliminating the use of disposable plastic.
This becomes applicable at both the individual and corporate levels.
- Individuals must say no to single-use plastics and instead turn to reusable bags, bottles, and storage containers.
- Corporates should work towards reducing plastic waste and opt for sustainable packaging and packing materials instead.
- Wear your Innovation Shoes:
If you have been using traditional plastic solely because you are unable to find relevant alternatives, it is time for you to wear your innovative shoes.
Individuals and entities should be open to research, innovation, and advancement so that environment-friendly plastic substitutes such as paper, glass, and bamboo related products can enter the market.
- Up your Waste Management Game:
Despite relevant substitutes entering the market, plastic will not be able to make an overnight exit. Does this mean we will continue to struggle with the problem of plastic pollution?
Of course not, because now you can focus on consciously preventing plastic pollution by turning your attention on waste management.
Appropriate solutions here are to invest in equipment that helps with plastic recycling and waste-to-energy mechanisms.
- Be mindful of microplastics:
Speaking about plastic pollution, we can seldom forget microplastics, which in general, are more dangerous. Long story short, microplastics are responsible for toxic substances mixing with the environment through air or water.
When humans get exposed to microplastics, they suffer from serious health issues like those related to the endocrine and reproductive system. In the oceans, this material stalls aquatic life’s growth and development. Hence, detaching use of microplastics becomes a must.
- Promote a Circular Economy:
We discussed this in one of our previous blogs, which continues to hold true concerning the global plastic crisis too.
Circular economy highlights the need to eliminate plastic waste by focussing on the principles of:
- Reuse
- Recycle
- Reduce
- Remanufacture
This method has proven benefits, which is why most manufacturers and distributors are inclined towards rolling out products that meet these specifications.
If you already know one or more of these solutions but do not know how to go about with it all, you may want to get in touch with Team Yimby.
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