This Earth Day, many people brought attention to plastic pollution. Nearly 260 million tons of plastic is produced by the world each year. Here are a few of the easiest ways to cut down on plastic pollution.
1. Use reusable bags
Plastic bags clog up landfill sites and are a danger to marine life. Many reusable bags are only a dollar and a lot sturdier than plastic bags for grocery shopping. I suggest buying a few and always keeping one in your car.
2. Use a reusable water bottle
Every year, Americans send more than 38 billion water bottles to landfills. Using a reusable water bottle can easily eliminate this problem. There are several water fill up stations on campus. It’s cheaper in the long run and you can personalize your water bottle by choosing the color or decorating it with stickers.
3. Cut down on plastic straws
Plastic straws have been discussed in the media a lot this year. Many restaurants, fast food chains, and schools have stopped providing straws and have switched to reusable lids. If you prefer using a straw, there are several reusable straws online made from metal or glass that are easy to wash.
4. Avoid microbeads
Microbeads are small beads of plastic that are commonly used in toothpaste and face washes. The beads get washed down the sink and end up in the ocean which can harm marine animals. Many states are banning the sale of products that contain microbeads. However, it’s always a good idea to look at the label of any cosmetic product to check for the harmful ingredient.
5. Chew less gum
While this may seem odd, many chewing gums are made from synthetic rubber which is plastic. Gum is thrown away or ends up the streets. Make sure to check the ingredients of your gum the next time you chew and be mindful of where you throw it out.
Just by taking an extra few seconds to be mindful about your actions, you can cut down on plastic pollution. The earth is a wonderful place that should be celebrated and protected, not just on Earth Day. You can find more information and several other ways to get involved at http://plastic-pollution.org