Did you know that Australians use about 130kg of plastic every year? This plastic can be lost for up to 500 years, and only about 12 % of it goes to recycling. This waste ends up in landfills and waterways, and it is estimated that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans. Many states in Australia are opting for a phase-out of single-use plastics to protect the environment and ensure an efficient waste-management system.
You can also do your part in helping the environment if you stop using plastics in your daily lives and switch to organic products by Natural products and tools instead. This process is a slow and steady one, but here are some steps you can start with:
Use Your Own Bottles
If you are travelling or going out somewhere, you should carry your own bottle with you. These reusable bottles are eco-friendly and valuable, and you will save time and money when you use them. In the same way, you can carry your own reusable mugs to drink coffee and tea so that you don’t waste any styrofoam cups.
Take A Cloth Bag With You
When you go to the market and need to buy produce, you should keep a cloth or reusable bag with you. These are eco-friendly and efficient and will reduce the use of plastic bags in the environment. These plastic bags can survive up to 40 years in landfills and water and cause severe damage. Therefore keep your own cloth or reusable bag with you at all times.
Avoid Using Microbeads
Microbeads are solid plastic particles used as small bottles for cleansers, lotions and travel bottles. These microbeads are harmful as they are too small to be captured by many wastewater treatment systems. Thus end up in rivers, oceans and lakes and damage marine life. Therefore you should avoid using products containing these microbeads like polypropylene, polyethene, nylon, polymethyl methacrylate, polytetrafluoroethylene and polyethylene terephthalate.
Avoid Plastic Straws
Did you know that tiny plastic straws you sip your delicious drinks can survive in landfills for up to 200 years? Therefore, you must tell your waiter not to give you a straw and carry your own reusable one or sip it straight from the glass. One small step can save tons of fish in the oceans and reduce plastic waste.
Avoid Using Packaged Products
Yes, it is easier to carry packaged food and products, but it does immense damage to the environment. Instead, you can buy food and products in bulk and store them in glass containers or reusable bottles by Natural Products and tools. If you must buy these packaged products and bottles, try to reuse them by storing other items.
Throw Your Waste Properly
You must also throw away your plastic in the proper container, so it gets recycled. If you put it in the wrong bin, it will not be caught by the waste management system and will end up in the oceans, rivers and landfills and pollute the environment. So, check the labels and throw your waste away correctly.
Conclusion
The use of plastic is going down slowly in Australia, but it will still take a lot of time and effort to eliminate plastic. You can help by doing your own part for the environment and avoiding using single plastic items, using a cloth bag, keeping your own bottle and mug and recycling your plastic correctly.