Movement to Vanquish Plastic
While on My Vacation in Phuket, I was made acutely aware of a HUGE man-made problem.
Just a few steps from the resort where I stayed, on what would otherwise have been a pristine golden sandy beach, was mile after mile of washed-up plastic.
Lids, bottles, toys, wheels, toothbrushes, shoes, pots, coat hangers, bags, tubes, straws, jandals, cups, combs, buttons… and that's just the stuff that was recognisable.
The sight was confronting. I was immediately reminded how pure New Zealand beaches are in comparison. That's not to say that all the trash washing up on Thai beaches is a result of Thai practices - some of the pieces had other languages on them too – this is just where the ocean currents come ashore.
Plastic is a worldwide problem. It does not disappear.
Left long enough it just breaks down smaller and smaller and ends up everywhere. There is plastic at the very deepest parts of our oceans, and recent studies have shown it is even inside our own bodies. Plastic does not go away.
So. What can be done to save the planet (and ourselves) from plastic?
My Victorious Pledge is to reduce the amount of plastic that I purchase.
By doing that, it reduces the need for plastic to be made in the first place.
Sure, my reduction will be small. Just one Man Vs Planet.
But, similar to picking up a washed-up shopping bag and filling it with plastic from a plastic-covered beach won't make much of a difference, if others see me do it then they might also think it's a good idea and do the same!
I encourage YOU to reduce YOUR plastic purchases too!
Some plastic reduction tips:
• Given an option, choose cardboard, glass or natural materials over plastic
• Carry a reusable bag and don't accept a plastic bag if the cashier offers it
• Use bulk bins and reusable containers if possible
When there is no other option BUT to purchase plastic:
• Reuse the plastic if you can
• Recycle it or dispose of it in a responsible manner
• Always cut that plastic loop thing that comes off the lids of jars and bottles. Failure to do so could end up killing a turtle.
This young turtle washed ashore with suspected plastic ingestion. Lifeguards said it’s common to happen here.
Some links for the locals doing beach clean-ups:
REDUCE YOUR PLASTIC CONSUMPTION TODAY!
One last thing. If you're a business owner or producer who uses plastic in your packaging, try to change your damaging ways!
There are many different options now for packaging that avoid using plastic. And, if you have natural or recyclable packaging, your customers will prefer to buy it!