We are a culture dependent on single-use plastics. From the plastic bags our groceries are placed in, to the lids on our daily takeaway coffees, when it comes to single-use plastic usage we’re fighting an uphill battle. Did you know that most plastic waste does not make it to the recycling centre, or even the landfill? This plastic – carried by rivers, wind, and animals will mostly find its way into the sea.
So, what are single-use plastics, and why are they so dangerous?
Single-use plastic, otherwise known as disposable plastic, is extremely harmful. Even if the plastic item is marked as recyclable, if it’s designed to be thrown away then it’s single-use as 90% of plastic is never recycled after it’s discarded. Single-use plastic is any plastic item that is used once, and then thrown away. Below are some examples of single-use plastic items that are causing damage to our communities and environment:
- Plastic bread bag tags
- Plastic bottles
- Styrofoam takeaway containers
- Straws
- Plastic packaging materials
- Plastic cutlery
- Plastic shopping bags
Most single-use plastic is simply burned and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Here are just a few negative impacts of single-use plastic:
- Disposable plastic items don’t biodegrade. They break down into micro particles that contaminate our environment.
- Microplastics, smaller plastic particles that result from single use plastic breaking down, pollute our water sources and even our food.
- Only 9% of plastic waste gets recycled. The rest is either burned or dumped.
- The single-use plastic trade and resulting plastic pollution disproportionately affects poorer and disadvantaged communities
Unfortunately, the global pandemic has seen an unprecedented surge in single-use plastics entering production as consumers demand that food and other products be protected from the virus by plastic. Medical waste, including disposable masks, and fast food items such as plastic cutlery and single-use plastic straws or bags are some of the biggest contributors to this crisis.
Here are some simple ways you can ditch your single-use plastic usage, starting now:
- Break up with your plastic bottled water and go reusable. You can save 1460 bottles when you switch to reusables, plus you’ll save loads of money.
- Shop with reusable/compostable/hot water soluble bags and you can save 1500 plastic bags from getting eaten by turtles. Did you know 100,000 marine animals are killed by plastic bags each year? Switch now to reduce your overall waste and keep sealife from harm.
- You’ll save 584 plastic straws when you switch to Bonnie Bio’s compostable straws, so make the switch! Ask for Bonnie Bio compostable straws at restaurants, or carry a reusable one with you.
- Recycle. You can save 9000 pounds of plastic waste from going into landfills each year.
- Choose seasonal, local produce and avoid pre-packaged items as often as you can. You can save 25000 food miles by shopping locally.
Bonnie Bio’s internationally certified product range is made from natural ingredients with no chemical additives to ensure non-toxicity and allow for complete compostability. Take a look here and start making a difference, today.
