Since the release of Blue Planet II, the fight to kick plastics out of our homes, supermarkets and schools has steadily gained steam. People from all over the world are expressing their outrage at how plastic is ruining our environment, infiltrating everywhere from the North Pole to the food on our table.
If you clicked on this, I'm assuming we share a common concern about the state of our planet right now. We both know that we need to take action, but we don't know where to start. This article will hopefully leave you with the tools you need to take action in your home and in your community.
#1 Understand the Problem — And The Solutions
The plastic problem can seem insurmountable at first, and it's easy to become overwhelmed with the endless amount of statistics and articles. I recommend starting by watching Blue Planet II, if you haven't already. It accurately portrays the threat plastics pose, without relying too much on facts and figures, and it will motivate you to get passionate about ending plastic waste.
If you're not in the mood to watch a documentary, try reading 'Turning The Tide On Plastics by Lucy Siegle.' It'll equip you with the tools you need to fight plastic waste in your everyday life, while also giving you the facts to persuade your friends and family to reconsider their plastic usage.
#2 Talk To Your Friends and Family
Change only happens when enough people show their support for it. Think about all the people you know and interact with every day; your friends, your parents and grandparents, your teachers, your co-workers, imagine the impact you could have if you asked just 5 of them to cut down on their plastic usage.
People want to see change, and no one likes to see litter on the streets and in nature, especially older generations! When you bring up the problem with plastic in everyday conversations, people are going to think about it throughout their day, and they'll be much more likely to take action (no matter how small) than if you'd just decided to not bring it up. The power of conversation is much more effective than you realize!
#3 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle — But Also See the bigger picture
Recycling is important, and actually more complicated than we give it credit for (read more about this here), but it also isn't going to solve the problems we have with plastic in our society. It's a systemic problem that will require both individual and systemic change to take place.
While it's essential you reuse the plastic you already own, reduce the amount you buy, and recycle what you can, we need to hold those in power accountable for their negligence towards plastic waste.
# 4 Contact Your Local Politicians and Representatives
This is by far the biggest way to make an impact. We live in a democracy, but we still need to fight to make our representatives listen to us. Find out who represents you and get in touch. A simple email or phone call can make a big difference, especially if lots of people get involved!
Ask about their plans to increase the amount of materials your local area recycles, how they plan to tackle litter and waste in our streets and how they plan to reduce the amount of plastic waste we use.
# 5 Volunteer for Beach Cleanups
Beach clean-ups can be a great way to clean up your local environment, meet new friends and surround yourself with like-minded people. Groups doing weekly or monthly beach clean-ups have sprung up all over the world, so bring a friend and go along!
Check out the surfer's against sewage website for more information about hosting your own cleanup!
# 6 Join or Start A Local Organization to fight Plastic Waste in Your Area
There are plenty of ways to reduce your own plastic waste, but an organized effort to kick plastics out of your community is a really impactful way to make a change.
Do your own research and find what organizations are active in your area, can't find one? Start your own! It may seem daunting at first, but it can be as simple as your friends starting a petition to have your local supermarket get rid of single use plastics, or print out posters to raise awareness about the damage plastic causes.
#7 Tell Companies You Shop With to Cut Out Plastic Packaging in Their Product
This can have a big impact, especially if lots of people do it. Every time you order something from an online retailer, or buy food from your local supermarket, check to see if their website is listed on the product. If it is, go to the website and try to find the section which allows you to contact the producer of that product.
Email or message them, telling them that you believe that there is too much plastic in their product. Tell them that you would like them to remove the excess amount of single-use plastic in the future.
Tell them you won't be shopping with them again until they cut down their wastefulness — that grabs their attention! But don't be rude about it, people tend to shut off to your point of view whenever it becomes confrontational.
# 8 Bring Reusable Items with You
If you're a little too nervous to go dive into community action, try simple steps like these to build your confidence and make an individual difference. While it can be slightly more expensive to buy items that aren't made out of single use plastic, it can be very worthwhile and a great investment if you can afford it.
Here's some advice, though: don't buy things like metal straws just for the sake of it. It's become a trend recently to purchase these items, and unless you use straws every day, the environment impact of that purchase will be much greater than occasionally using plastic straws. Refusing single use plastic and making do without it can be just as positive as buying a reusable item to serve that same purpose.
# 9 Sign Or Create A Petition Calling on Your Local Supermarket To Cut Down On Plastic Waste
Community pressure can do a lot to make supermarkets and other retailers clean their act up, especially when their own customers get involved. You can start a petition with your local government office, online at change.org or the good old-fashioned way of collecting signatures with a piece of paper and a pen.
Share with your friends, neighbors, family and (if you're feeling confident) try to get customers entering the shop to sign on.
# 10 Donate To Charities Fighting Plastic Pollution
While this won't be available to everyone, it will definitely make a big impact. Do some research and find what charities are operating in your local area, or somewhere else you care about, and donate to them.
In Conclusion...
The plastic problem facing us right now can seem overwhelming and scary, but we still have time to turn this around. If everyone who read through this article took one action to fight plastic waste in their communities and homes, we could make a huge difference!
For more information regarding plastic waste, read through these articles:
National Geographic — The World's Plastic Problem, Explained
Our World in Data — Plastic Pollution Charts
The Guardian — Twenty Companies Produce 55% of World's Plastic Waste
