Plastic pollution is harmful to the environment, which is concerning as it has impacted the planet’s health significantly and is continuing to do so. In this article, we will highlight some ways that can help reduce the impact of plastic pollution. Before jumping to them, let’s just have a look at some of the facts that are enough to make society realize the need to eliminate plastic from our lives. Here are some facts:

• Over 460 million metric tons of plastic are produced annually for use in various applications. 

• An estimated 20 million metric tons of plastic litter end up in the environment annually. And, the concerning thing is that this amount is expected to increase tremendously by 2040. 

• Plastic pollution is a major driver of ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss, contributing to climate change. 

• Plastic pollution affects all lands, marine ecosystems, and freshwater as well. 

All the above facts are concerning and need to be addressed urgently. Although a change does not happen overnight but at least, we can take steps to ensure that we are delivering our part in making the planet greener and cleaner with every passing day. So, let’s just explore the ways that can help in reducing the impact of plastic pollution.

Recycling 

Recycling is surely at the top of the ways that can help reduce the impact of plastic pollution. This process can certainly erase the footprints of our waste stream. You can become a part of this greener and cleaner cause by simply binning the items in the right bins. For your convenience, the product makers have printed the signs that tell which one needs to be thrown into bins. Whether beverages or any other snack you are eating, many of them can be recycled.

Use of Eco-Friendly Packaging

Eco-friendly bags are another useful way to reduce the impact of plastic pollution. Whether you are going for groceries or need waste removal bags for domestic use, you can switch to Ecobags and add your part in reducing plastic pollution. Moreover, apart from doing it by yourself only, you must convince the people around you to do the same. To ensure that our planet remains in good health and that our generations live in a healthy and clean environment, we must take eco-friendly steps together.  

Boycott Bottled Water

Do you know that almost 20 billion plastic bottles are tossed in the trash every year? What? Are you stunned? Well, the use of bottled water is very common these days and no one even realizes how much this has affected the environment as this has a major part in the increasing plastic pollution. We can carry a reusable bottle with us when going out, in offices, and wherever we go to ensure that plastic pollution is at least not increasing. 

Choose Your Clothes Wisely

Who could have thought that my clothes might impact the environment’s health? Well, this is sadly true. Not all of them but materials like polyester, acrylic, nylon, and fleece are among those that have shreds of plastic. Almost 9 percent of the microplastics in oceans and seas come from them. You might be thinking about how the plastic from our clothes reaches the oceans. Well, they reach there through the wastewater plants, when we do laundry. So, choosing clothes made from natural materials like wool and cotton is what we can do. 

Buy from Those Who Use Less Plastic

When many people are on the same page, they can surely make the change happen. Corporations or manufacturers surely have a bigger impact but we as buyers can make a difference through our habits and choice of buying products from those who use less plastic. We can even put pressure on other manufacturers by buying from eco-friendly product makers and posting that stuff on social media or any other way to raise awareness. 

Wrapping Up!

The use of eco-friendly bags or products needs to be common just like plastic is nowadays. This change is not as easy as it seems to be but small steps can surely make a large impact and lead us to a world where there is no plastic pollution. The above-mentioned practices are some of the best ways to reduce plastic pollution and ensure a green & clean environment for our children and the generations to come. 

No matter the purpose, we must use eco-friendly products to tackle plastic pollution. What do you say?