Plastic. Seems like we can’t do without it. Groceries are an essential part of life, but since when did plastic become the same? While buying groceries is unavoidable, getting plastic bags is not.
Since 1997, when plastic bags were introduced in supermarkets in India, to today, we have never looked back to see what impact we have created.
By the time you complete reading this article, the world would have produced 19,20,000 new plastic bags already! Every second, 16,000 new plastic bags are used globally!
Most of these eventually end up in places where they harm animals and birds, or destroy marine life.
Our day 3 challenge is about plastic bags.
Day 3 Challenge: Ditch plastic bags completely for the week.
Carry out all your routine tasks without using a single plastic bag!
If you go shopping, say no to the plastic bags they provide and instead carry your own cloth/jute bag.Today we also have a wide variety of customizable and fashionable tote bags to replace plastic ones. You can not only reduce this number, but also influence the public to carry their own bags by taking the first step.
Ideas to help you complete the challenge:
- Always keep a cloth or reusable bag in your vehicle or near your keys, so you pick it up when you go out.
- For the fridge, instead of plastic mesh bags, use cloth bags or keep select vegetables in natural baskets.
- For gifting, use paper or sustainable materials. Avoid the shiny packaging, which is plastic. You can also make your own paper bags creatively!
- For trash, first, separate the wet and dry waste, even if it is not mandated in your area. The dry waste bin can easily be covered with a newspaper. For wet waste, try composting. If that is impossible, see if you can just keep the wet waste in the bin. As a last resort, try compostable bin liner bags that are eco-friendly hence completely break down into biodegradable materials.
With these tips, you can easily pass the day without thinking once about plastic bags.
Let us know how it went for you!
Reference:
https://www.theworldcounts.com/stories/interesting-facts-about-plastic-bags