What is the problem with plastic? -PLASTIC FREE JULY
- Lydia Collins
- Jul 1, 2024
- 3 min read
You may have heard of Plastic Free July, but what actually is it and why is it important?
Plastic Free July is a global month's movement/challenge to bring people together to reduce plastic consumption and pollution. The movement is complete with quizzes to see where you should focus first, how to get started, resources to share, and other tips for reducing plastic in July. Of course, we should aim to avoid plastic as much as possible in daily life, but PFJ is a chance to learn more and come together as a community to get started.
Plastic is lighter, more flexible, and more affordable than some other material alternatives like metal or glass so has become a highly efficient and convenient material for much of the developed world. The convenience has led to a throw-away culture with an 'out of sight, out of mind' approach allowing plastic to push its way into almost every product we use daily including clothing, beauty products, packaging, and even our food (with plastic being found in the bodies of marine animals). This is the main problem and has led to humanity using more than 430 million tonnes of plastic annually, with the majority of this being single-use or short-lived plastic products integrating their way into oceans and landfills, which can impact wildlife, damage soil, and poison groundwater causing serious health impacts.
Not only is plastic an issue post-life, but the production process is extremely energy-intensive. The plastic lifecycle consists of extraction of fossil fuels, production of the plastics, distribution and use, and finally disposal (e.g., recycling, incineration, or landfill). Plastic is made from fossil fuels such as crude oil which are extracted and transformed through heat and additives to create a polymer. The refining and distilling processes make lighter compounds which can then be distributed and used. To demonstrate how impactful this process is – in 2019, plastics generated 1.8 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, 3.4% of the total that year.
Systemic change is essential for reducing the impact of plastic – moving away from a linear economy to a circular economy to keep the value of plastic for as long as possible to reduce the need for producing more. Some countries like Canada have passed laws for eliminating single-use plastics and plans to reach net zero plastic waste by 2030. An Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee is developing a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution which focuses on the entire lifecycle of plastics. Speaking to local representatives, using our vote, and pushing for more governance on plastic is essential to reducing the plastic damage of the future, however, we can also make some changes in our personal lives....
This is where Plastic Free July comes into play. Building community, learning more, and sharing tips & tricks are essential and reducing plastic doesn't have to be high-stress! By focusing on one area of your lifestyle, you could reduce so much plastic in July.
FOR EXAMPLE:
Focusing on...
Your bathroom
Switch to shampoo/conditioner bars
Ditch the disposable razors - get a safety razor instead
Get a bamboo or Suri toothbrush
Plastic-free menstrual products e.g., menstrual cups or period underwear
Your kitchen
Buy loose fruits and veggies
Meal prep
Pack your own lunches for school/uni/work/days out
Ditch the plastic straws
Beeswax wraps!
Compostable cleaning sponges and refillable/homemade cleaning sprays
Your wardrobe
Shop secondhand
Buy on Vinted
Look for natural fibres
Using refillable washing liquid
Remember, the most sustainable option is the one you already own!! You don't need to go and buy fancy new 'eco' products if you have perfectly good items are home, but when it comes to replacing products being conscious about plastic and avoiding it where possible is a really good action. Don't pressure yourself too much but starting conversations, pushing for political/governmental change, and focusing on different areas of your lifestyle is a great start!!!
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