Plastic on Earth; Plastic in the Ocean; Plastic is everywhere!

Plastic pollution in nature, especially in our oceans, is a global crisis. A dump truck load of plastic enters the ocean every minute, sullying coastlines, harming wildlife, and polluting our food supply. When you combine the collapse of recycling systems in both the developed and developing countries with the COVID-19-related increase of single-use plastic, you have a plastic tsunami rising in our oceans.

However, it is neither realistic nor desirable to eliminate all plastic from our life. Plastic has numerous advantages, both environmental and otherwise: It keeps our food fresh, reducing waste; it's sterile; and it's long-lasting. It can also be transformed into something new once we're done with it.

So, how can we maintain these advantages while keeping plastic out of the environment?

Half of all plastic ever produced was created in the last 15 years. But once we're done with it, we're at a loss as to what to do with all this plastic. Today, science informs us that the majority of plastic debris that ends up in the oceans comes from land, owing to poor or non-existent waste management. Even if you make something 100 percent recyclable, if you don't have a recycling facility, it will wind up in the trash.

Turning off the tap

When the sink is flooding, you don’t start with the mop; you start by turning off the tap.

Stopping the flow of plastic necessitates the repair of a damaged and disconnected system. At every stage of the plastic life cycle, there are opportunities: we can make plastic from renewable resources, manufacture recyclable things that use less plastic, consume less, and ensure that as much plastic as possible is recycled.

We must also guarantee that solutions do not have a detrimental impact on the environment in any other way. Companies, the waste management industry, governments, and consumers all play a part in this.

Taking care of garbage

Policies governing waste disposal and recycling vary greatly around the world, if they exist at all.

Unfortunately, many countries lack developed waste management systems, that would necessitate investment. Fortunately, that investment is beginning to flow, particularly to Southeast Asia, where waste management has lagged behind consumption.

Plastic-free environment

The WWF(World Wildlife Fund) has set the audacious goal of eliminating plastic from nature by 2030. The world is poised to act on plastics, and WWF, with its global presence, holistic approach, and proven track record on far more contentious issues than this one, will play a critical role.

Many organizations throughout the world have set 2030 as the deadline for resolving the ocean plastics catastrophe. And before we know it, 2030 will be here. We must do all possible to speed up solutions to the plastics crisis, especially in light of recent COVID-19 setbacks. So much plastic is going to end up in our oceans. As the situation grows, we must collectively think bigger and better.

Again and again, we hear the various ways of being mindful about plastic usage. Yet, Here are some of the steps Swagg wants to remind you afresh of all the mindful habits for the betterment of the earth and reduce the plastic pollution.

Make preparations ahead of time. Bring a reusable water bottle or coffee cup with you, as well as utensils for on-the-go meals and a reusable shopping bag.

Instead of throwing away unwanted plastic things like furniture and dishware, donate them to local organizations or offer them online through your local freecycle program.

Use and reuse plastic for as long as possible, then get creative and repurpose it!

Recycle wisely. Find out which plastics your municipality accepts for recycling and make sure you recycle them.

Make your neighborhood a better place. Every piece of plastic you pick up reduces the amount of plastic in the environment.

Examine the labelling and packaging. Choose things that are packaged in materials that can be recycled at your local center.

Advocate for change. Companies that are attempting to fix the plastics challenge should be supported. Make a request to your local government for improved recycling capabilities, rigorous waste disposal restrictions, and steps to reduce the use of plastic.

A video about "The Story of Plastic" by director Deia Schlosberg and the rest of the team have done an incredible job of creating not only an unforgettable documentary, but also a tool for understanding the full life cycle of the material we touch more than our loved ones, as well as industry's critical role in turning off the tap.

We may be able to save our oceans collectively by 2030 if the humanity can accept this fundamental mentality shift toward urgency and not just wave the red flag but act on it. It is up to us to make the decision.

Sources: wwf.org; greenpeace.org; scientificamerican.com; nationalgeographic.com