Hello, Steemians! On this piece, I wish to write something important to our daily lives and our planet and its ecosystems. Plastics, loose plastics in particular, one of mankind's invention that brought convenience to our daily struggles in a wide scope of industries crucial to our "civilized" society. From packaging, industrial materials and so much more. While all of these amazing advantages to the daily routine of a "civilized" person was made possible by the use of plastics, it is very obvious and evident that these convenient invention is currently plaguing our lands and oceans with the endless and seemingly perpetual presence which is hurting our planet's ecosystems by their pollution. Causing certain flora and fauna of Earth's lands and oceans to get ill and die off. Humans as we are, might not find it so disturbing because most of us have little or no knowledge that these plastics have entered our bodies thru drinking of polluted water and ingesting food especially sea food, fish and shellfish to be more particular. These plastics enter our body systems in a form of microscoping particles or "microplastics". Feeling concerened now?
THE SOLUTION
In every problem there is a solution, especially this very crucial one. The solution is called "Eco Bricks". Discarded plastic bottles from drinks are stuffed tightly from the bottom to the brim with loose plastics most commonly packaging from food and other groceries. Stuffing of the loose plastics tightly results to the bottle being rock hard and is now an "Eco Brick". Why call these stuffed bottles as such? Because these "Eco Bricks" are useful as building materials. Yes, building materials like convential bricks. These are used to build walls and other concrete constructions. This initiative is the brain child of ecobrick.org, a non-profit organization which promotes ecological conservation and waste reduction. I first encountered this method on Facebook which was shared by the Plastic Solution Philippines, Plastic Free Philippines and Eco Brick Philippines. They even showcased a particular resort with branches different surf towns in Luzon, Philippines; The Circle Hostel. This hostel has shower stalls with "Eco Brick" walls, as well as their perimeter wall fence, benches and tables! For what I know, The Circle Hostel also promotes the locals on their areas to partake in this kind of iniative. By doing so, the impact of this iniative on the conservation of our lands and oceans doubled. "Eco Bricks" are a great way so start engaging the public and making them realize how much waste me leave behind and dispose improperly. This iniative greatly helps the conservation of our ecosystems, lessens our extraction of natural resources for building materials, lessens wastes and monetary cost. Although making "Eco Bricks" is a good idea to dispose and even utilize our plastic waste, let us be reminded that this is not an excuse to continue practicing our habit of single use plastic. Not one bit. It is always good to REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE.