Plastic has very versatile properties when it comes to being treated which makes it one of the materials destined to make our lives easier. If you look around you, it is very possible that you are surrounded by objects made of plastic. A bottle of water, the bag they gave you at the supermarket, or a package of cookies are just a few examples.
However, plastic is also one of the most harmful materials to the environment. It is estimated that around eight million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year, harming all the organisms that live in it. The consequences of not recycling are increasingly noticeable. What can we do to recycle plastic and reduce its consumption?
10 tips to recycle plastic and reduce its consumption
Avoid Buying Plastic Bottles
Around 1 million plastic bottles are consumed in the world every minute, according to figures from the global movement Break Free From Plastic. Not all of them are fully recyclable. As an alternative option, you can buy water in returnable bottles or use filters to drink tap water.
Stop Consuming Straws
The use of plastic straws is dispensable in most cases, but the truth is that Spain is the European country that consumes the most. We use 13 million straws every day, according to Greenpeace: we use them for a few minutes but they take up to 500 years to degrade, causing very serious damage to ecosystems.
Use Cloth Bags
A plastic bag has an average use of 12 minutes, explains Greenpeace. However, it takes more than five decades to degrade. An ecological and sustainable alternative is to use cloth bags, backpacks, carts, or carrycots. These options last between 3 and 20 years and do not harm the environment.
Reduce Food In Plastic Containers
Whenever possible, try to buy products with cardboard or glass packaging to avoid overwrapping. As an option to be responsible for the environment, you can buy products in bulk: it allows you to choose the amount you need and it is cheaper.
Use Cookware And Cutlery Made Of Wood, Bamboo, Or Stainless Steel
They are a good alternative to disposable plastic cutlery, glasses, and plates. If you have no other option than to buy this type of product for practical reasons, try not to use it for single use. 50% of the plastic on the market is to be used and thrown away.
Bring Your Own Reusable Cup To The Cafeterias
In the UK alone, more than 500 million single-serving coffee cups are used each year. Of them, only 1 in 400 is recycled. Bringing your own cup when you go for coffee not only benefits the environment, but it can save you money: some establishments offer a discount if you bring your own cup.
Try Using Wooden Clothespins
Unlike plastic clothespins, wooden clothespins come from a renewable resource and perform the same function, without polluting.
Avoid Using Plastic Wrap
Instead, you can use aluminum foil, which can be recycled. Even more ecological is the use of food wrapping bags, which are made of cotton and are environmentally friendly.
Try To Reduce The Use Of Coffee Capsules
They may seem harmless, but coffee pods come in packaging that is difficult to process in recycling plants. The alternative option is to use the traditional coffee maker.
Change The Plastic Toppers
Although they are for more than one user, the most ecological option to transport your food is to use glass or stainless steel toppers.
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