Plastic is everywhere. The more we learn about plastic, the more we realize how important it is to seek other alternatives in order to keep our children and our planet happy and healthy. Even as our society becomes more conscientious about recycling and reducing waste, plastic remains to be an enormous challenge in minimizing our use of it and developing greener alternatives to this synthetic substances.
What is Plastic?
Almost all plastics are made from petroleum and are created via a number of chemical reactions. While plastics can take on a number of shapes, they are an environmental nightmare. Not only do plastics contain and emit toxic chemicals but as they degrade, very slowly, they release other chemicals that can spread into our water, air and soil supply.
One of the primary attractions of plastic is that it is disposable. From plastic shaving razors to food containers, the more we use and toss out, the more we must buy. This has created a huge demand for plastic products and plastic manufacturers couldn’t be happier.
But as we start to demand and support more environmentally sound plastic packaging and products, manufacturers are quick to make a claim that their product is biodegradable, even though it is not. In fact, 90% of the plastic in any given item is comprised of non biodegradable ingredients. Even if a plastic product claims to be biodegradable,(to be biodegradable, it only needs a very small amount of starch, a biodegradable substance) it probably contains other chemicals that then render the product non biodegradable.
What are the Biggest Plastic Purveyors?
Since there has been such a huge increase in the use and disposable of plastics in the past fifty years, we have had to come with a solution to deal with this growing heap of plastic trash. Coined, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, this enormous “plastic soup” of plastic trash covers an area twice the size of the continental United States and is able to float in the water because of underwater swirling currents. It drifts along the Pacific Ocean off the Californian coast, across the northern Pacific, past Hawaii and reaches almost as far as Japan.
Plastic bottles tend to top the list as one of the largest culprits in making this Garbage Patch so immense.
How to Reduce Plastic Use and Waste
Here a few strategies that you can start doing today to reduce the environmental impact of plastics:
1. Reduce the use
When possible, select packaging materials that are recycled into new packaging - such as glass and paper. If people refuse plastic as a packaging material, the industry will decrease production and seek out other healthier packaging options.
2. Buy in Bulk
Rather than buying six small containers of yogurt each week, buy one large container of your favorite brand. Not only will you save money but you’ll be producing less plastic waste.
3. Recycle
Check with your local recycling center or neighborhood recycling center and find out what containers they recycle. These are usually identified by a small number on the bottom of the container that is enclosed in a triangle.
4. Opt for glass
Rather than heating up lasagna leftovers in a plastic container, store and heat foods up in glass containers. They won’t leach out chemicals like plastic containers do and they glass containers are more durable.
With a little awareness and gradual implementation, you can do your part by helping to reduce our reliance on plastic.
Resources:
http://www.ecologycenter.org/
- Heather Ashare, MPH