Plastic waste has become a significant environmental issue in recent years. According to the BBC, if current production and waste management trends continue, 12 billion metric tons (13.2 billion US tons) of plastic waste will enter landfills or the environment by 2050. The rise of plastic packaging has been identified as the main cause for the increase in plastic production. In 2015, packaging accounted for 42% of non-fiber plastic produced and 54% of plastics thrown away, according to the New York Times. While the scale of the plastic waste problem may seem overwhelming, there are steps we can take to address it. One of the most effective ways to reduce plastic waste is to reduce our use of single-use plastics. Single-use plastics, such as straws, plastic bags, and disposable cutlery, are used once and then thrown away. They often end up in landfills, where they can take hundreds of years to decompose, or in the environment, where they can harm wildlife.
Individuals can take action by making simple changes in their daily lives, such as using reusable bags and water bottles, and avoiding products with excess packaging. Another option is to switch to Solid Shampoo Bars and Conditioner bars. These products are packaged in minimal, recyclable materials and can replace multiple plastic bottles in your shower routine.
We can all get inspired by people like Laura Singer, who made a big change in switching on a healthy lifestyle – going zero waste!
Let's work together to create a cleaner, more sustainable world.
