Plastic Waste

Plastic waste in our environment in general and in the oceans and seas more specifically, is a growing problem, affecting wildlife, ecosystems and people. Every single piece of plastic that has ever been created still exists in our world, because single-use plastic is manufactured to last forever, yet is often used for only a few minutes, before being thrown away. Carrier bags, drinks bottles, coffee cups, packaging and everything plastic that has a short life, are all a big part of the issue and at the same time a big part of our daily life. Cheap and disposable, they are carried to the oceans from rivers and coastal towns and cities, or simply dumped at sea. The problem is that most of us use more of these plastics than we need to and this is the reason why it is time to act and change our daily life in a way that will contribute in fighting climate change and plastic pollution. 
It is an urgent call and we need to act today! By working together and each one individually, our choices can help clean up the ocean – and make Earth a safe place again.

Let’s have a look on some practices you can adopt and follow in order to be active in the fight against plastic waste:

I. Participate in or organise a local cleanup. Clean up the neighbourhood or the beach, because every piece of plastic we pick up is one less piece in our nature. If you live by a sea or river, you can volunteer to pick up litter in your local community, thus removing plastics from the waterways and preventing them from getting to the ocean in the first place. There are many organisations taking the initiative to clean, in which each one of us can participate. Even if there are no such initiatives, each one can independently take the decision and clean even a small part, by simply taking a trash bag and walking around the city or the beach. In any case, you will be an inspiring and positive role model!
Unfortunately, plastic is everywhere and for this reason every little action on a small scale makes the difference in the fight for a change of the current situation of plastic pollution!

II. One of the main weapons we can use to stop ocean pollution is research. By deepening our knowledge of the effects of the issue, we can start implementing better policies for all.
Being more aware and informed, checking labels of products, choosing to buy from a company is like a vote of confidence – if manufacturers see that fewer people are buying from them because of their attitudes to plastics, they are likely to make positive changes, greenwashing and be more sceptical.
Companies like to present themselves as green and sustainable, but that does not mean that they actually are. Painting company activities with a green tint is called greenwashing. The examples of greenwashing are countless, also with regards to the issue of plastic pollution. Sometimes, consumers are misled by products that aren’t as green as they seem. Bioplastics are considered the more environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics. However, they can still contribute to plastic pollution, global warming, and land use, because not all bioplastics are always biodegradable. While some bioplastics like those derived from cornstarch decompose in the soil, others only break down at high temperatures or after being treated in a landfill under very specific conditions. Even biodegradable bioplastics can still end up in landfills and produce methane gas as they decompose. It’s important to remember that bioplastics are still just plastics, even if they are made from a different material.
For example, to show a company that you would prefer sustainable packaging, you either need to find an equally appealing product in better packaging and purchase that instead, or you need to communicate your request for change directly to the company. 

III. Youth-led organisations prove effective in raising awareness of the dangers of plastics to our environment by offering local community engagement workshops, promoting plastic-free products and speaking at public events and in schools. Community engagement and education initiatives that advocate for no plastic in our world is a powerful means to creating consumer change. 
Public awareness campaigns for example that engage and educate local communities on plastic waste can spur community action and affect consumer choices. 
For this reason, try to be part of an organisation and take action in the promotion of the urgency of reacting against the plastic dominance. Participate in a campaign of the organisation or take the initiative to organise one by your own in your local community. Even if it sounds difficult, people can make a real difference in how plastic is used, by sending the right messages to citizens, companies and even governments.
Campaigns around the world have proved to have contributed to increased awareness of plastic pollution, and in some cases, action. The Be Ready To Change (LINK) is an example of a campaign that was organised by the European Commission and launched in 2018 communicating that single-use plastic products and packaging are not only poor quality but also no longer socially acceptable.

Here are some new tips we can adapt and transform our daily life into a more sustainable one, far from the use of much plastic:

• Swap plastic bags for reusable ones, made of cloth or fibre. It also costs less. Use a reusable produce bag. A single plastic bag can take 1,000 years to degrade, so purchase or make your own reusable produce bag.
• Reduce the use of disposable plastic cups, plates, cutlery and bottles. For example, bring your own reusable bottle to work or  choose metal or glass food containers in which you can pack your lunch. Stop using plastic straws and even if it is a must for you, purchase a reusable stainless steel or glass straw. Remember that also these types of straws require a certain amount of energy to be produced, so when possible opt for paper ones or, even better, consider not using them at all.
• Plan ahead by buying food and cleaning products in bulk to avoid useless plastic wrappings. Today, many supermarkets and local stores  let you fill your own jars/bags.Purchase food, like cereal, pasta, and rice from bulk bins, which usually is also better quality. Not only can you save money by choosing to shop this way, but you also use a lot less packaging and single-use plastics. Bring your own containers with you  and no waste is created!
• Avoid buying and using cosmetics that contain plastic microspheres or microbeads. Find products that are pure and environmentally friendly or make your own cleaning products that will be less toxic and eliminate the need for multiple plastic bottles of cleaner. Consider avoiding buying frozen foods because their packaging is mostly plastic. Even those that appear to be cardboard are coated in a thin layer of plastic. Plus you'll be eating fewer processed foods. instead, buy fresh by using a reusable bag.
• Reuse containers for alternative purposes. Use and reuse plastic as long as you can, then get creative and reuse it for something else.
• Ask your local grocer to take your plastic containers (for berries, tomatoes, etc.) back. If you shop at a farmers market they can refill it for you.
• Buy second-hand clothes or choose those made from natural, sustainable or recycled materials. Fast fashion is one of the biggest polluters in the world. Part of the reason for this is because so many clothes from fast fashion brands are made from plastics: polyester, nylon, acrylic. So when masses of clothes go to landfills after being worn once or twice, they don’t biodegrade for hundreds of years. Instead, if you want to buy new clothes, continue buying garments made from sustainable or recycled materials.