If we look around we will find that many of the products we buy are either coated with bottles or plastic sheets, or that our purchases are packed in plastic bags or made of plastic such as mobile phones, screen frames and much more. Have you ever asked yourself what the fate of all this plastic product is after throwing it in the garbage?
The answer is that some of them are recycled and the rest - mostly - is disposed of either in landfills or in the seas and oceans. Since plastics do not decompose until very long, the problem of polluting the surrounding environment, the deserts, oceans and marine organisms remains a major problem. Especially with the study published in the British newspaper The Guardian, which says that microplastic particles were found in tap water in countries around the world, where 83% of samples were found to be contaminated with plastic fibers.
Ten samples of tap water from more than a dozen countries were analyzed by scientists. These analyzes indicate the extent of plastic contamination in the global environment. Sea food and fish are contaminated with these microbial particles because water is contaminated with plastic bottles and parts of them are dissolved in water.
Here are some interesting facts about plastic pollution:
There are 20,000 plastic bottles being bought every second.
We collect only 50% plastic bottles for recycling. Only 7% of them turned into new bottles.
About 79% of the total plastics manufactured so far are still in landfills or in the oceans.
The period needed by a plastic cup to decompose 50 years, and the threads used for hunting need 600 years to decompose.
Most of the world dumping of plastic waste in 2010 China was estimated at 9 million tons of plastic.
Between 5 million and 13 million tons of plastic leak into the world's oceans each year.
Plastic drinking bottles can be made from 100% recycled plastic, known as RPet and large beverage companies are pressed to increase the amount of recycled plastic in their glass.
Sea turtles can not distinguish between jellyfish - which represent their food - and plastic bags, which cause an internal intestinal blockage and may lead to death.
Plastic parts may cause destruction of the digestive system of seabirds or whales when ingested and may cause their death.
BPA, used in the manufacture of plastics that can leak into food and beverages, is a cause of concern because of its potential health effects on the brain, behavior and children, and some studies have linked this substance to high blood pressure. Therefore, it is preferable to use products that are free of this substance.
These are some tips to reduce the use of plastic materials.
1. Refuse to use plastic aspirators (shalmon)
You can simply inform the waiter that you do not need one when ordering your drinks.
2. Use reusable bags
If you do not actually use plastic bags when you go to the market and buy your supplies you are on track, but if you do not do then you should change that now. You can buy some canvas bags for example to use when shopping, and avoid those bags made of nylon or polyester.
3. Purchase of bulk goods boxes
Many stores sell bulk food such as rice, pasta, beans, nuts and grains, which will save both money and unnecessary plastic packaging.
4. Reuse glassware
You can buy a variety of foods packaged in glassware instead of plastic including kinds of ketchup, peanut butter to name a few. Instead of throwing it away, you can recycle it and use it to store food, or you can take it with you when you buy bulk foods. If you have plastic containers left over from a food, do not throw them. Simply wash and use to store food.
5. Use reusable bottles and cups
By recharging reusable bottles, you prevent some of these plastic bottles from ending in landfills and oceans, but do not stop there. Bring a reusable Cuba to the coffee shop, ask for it to be filled with your favorite drink instead of consuming a plastic cup, and keep a cup in your office instead of using plastic or paper cups.
6. Use matches
When the fire is lit, matches, not plastic lighters, are often used in a landfill. If you need one, we recommend you buy the metal type that you can refill.
7. Do not use plastic food utensils
Such as knives and spoons. If you often forget to bring your dining utensils with your lunch, or if your favorite restaurant has only plastic food utensils, start saving your own collection in your bag.