Stop Sulking, Start Acting: Here¡¯s How You Can Reduce The Plastic Pressure With These Simple Lifestyle Changes

A Pilot whale recently died on a beach in Thailand after it ingested around 80 kilograms of plastic bags. The incident brings to light the inconsiderate and improper disposal of plastic waste. The whale was found afloat in a canal in the southern province of Songkhla, and veterinarians and volunteers tried to save it for five days, but she died.

But is it too late? Perhaps not. There are several ways to reduce the pressure plastic puts on the planet. Here¡¯s a list of few of them -

Bring your bag with you while you shop

While most retailers have turned to cloth bags, it¡¯s always better to carry you own bag when you go shopping. This will be cost-effective as retailers charge you for the bags they give and you¡¯ll be doing your bit for the environment.

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Bioplastics

Plastics are definitely convenient. They¡¯re easy to carry around and take lesser space. So if you¡¯re buying plastic bags, make sure to check the grade before you buy it. There are several eco-friendly plastics that are easier on the environment and degrade quickly. Bio-plastics are generally made of natural fibres, so they degrade almost instantly.

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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The 3 Rs aren¡¯t a myth and we are well versed with it. Following them is still a problem.

Plastic covers so much of our lives, it¡¯s bound to get in our homes. If it does, go creative. There are several DIYs on things made out of plastic materials. They look good, and you don¡¯t have to spend extra on decorating your home. They also have a longer shelf life.

Recycling plastic needs proper industrial set up, but you could do your bit by segregating plastic waste out of your regular waste. Research upon any recycling industry nearby and give a visit.

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But it won¡¯t be a problem if we reduce the usage of plastics. Minimise bringing plastics into your homes as much as you can, specially the ones that don¡¯t degrade easily.

Know what¡¯s happening with plastic

Read up about how various people and organisations are fighting against plastic. If possible, implement them in your personal lives. Be aware of studies on plastics and how they are being engineered to be lighter on the planet. Try to make these new kinds of plastic available at least in your immediate community,

Disposal

Plastic disposal is and always has been a huge problem for India. People throw garbage on the streets, because apparently that¡¯s convenient. We conveniently put plastic waste in the green bins instead of the blue ones. People often do blame the government for the excessive amount of garbage piling up alongside roads and lanes. Perhaps the government will function better if we become a little more considerate with the way we dispose plastic.

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Plastic can be put to multiple uses and somehow it finds its way into our lives, no matter how much we try to make conscious choices. Cautious use and proper disposal can not only save the planet but can actually save you a lot of money.