Supported by Ara Chackerian
A staggering amount of plastic has been produced in America since the 1950s, though the first synthetic polymer known as Bakelite was produced in 1907 by a Belgian-born American living in New York who went by the name of Leo Hendrick.
Since the inception, the United States is responsible for creating 8.3 billion tons of plastic, which is equivalent to the weight of 1 billion elephants! A sobering fact is that this plastic will be around for hundreds of years, if not thousands; outliving the very beings that created and used it, to the demise of our planetâ€™s environment. Research and science confirm the omnipresence of plastic is damaging to the health of our oceans, as well as the health of wildlife, and even human life.
There are impacts that we can make toward solving this â€˜plastic epidemicâ€™. The best solution is to implore your politicians and local & corporate businesses to stop making plastic so available to the world, and stop utilizing it in their practices.
The following examples are 5 simple things you can personally do to positively impact the environment:
- Stop Buying Bottled Water â€“
Every minute, 1 million bottles of water are bought all over the world, and their final destinations are the landfills and the oceans. At this rate, the oceans will contain more plastic than fish by 2050. Instead, purchase a bottle you can reuse.
- Travel with Your Own Silverware â€“
When you do this, you will not be using plastic utensils every time you enjoy a meal away from home. Let your local food chains (or even your office) know you donâ€™t need or want plastic wear with your meal to avoid additional waste.
- Travel with Your Own Mug â€“
Have your favorite coffee shop fill your own mug from home instead of accepting a plastic cup. Some coffee shops will even give you a discount!
- Carry Your Groceries Home in a Non-Plastic, Reusable Bag â€“
Bring your cloth bags from home with you and reuse them again and again. Also when shopping, try to be conscious of avoiding products that use a lot of plastic in their packaging. Where you choose to spend your money speaks volumes.
- Stop Buying Shampoos and Shower Gels in Plastic Bottles â€“
Be diligent to find versions of these products that are wrapped in paper, and suggest your friends and family do the same. Spreading the word is what itâ€™s all about.