Is a Life Without Plastic Possible? What Can We Do For a Sustainable Future?
In the modern world, it has become almost impossible to spend a day without plastic. Everything from single-use grocery bags to food packaging, cosmetics and electronic devices contains plastics. However plastic waste remaining in nature for years without decomposing causes problems.
Adopting a sustainable lifestyle is possible not only individually but also through social movements.
So, is a world without plastic possible? We will talk about that.
Environmental Impacts of Plastic
The biggest problem with plastic is the damage it causes to the environment. Plastic waste causes water pollution, soil pollution and death of animals. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) data, 8 million tons of plastic waste enters the oceans every year.
So our oceans are in danger! According to the researchers, there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans by 2050.
Here is another scary fact! The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is 3 times the size of France.
Our Health is at Risk
The average person swallows around 5 grams of microplastic per week (equivalent to a credit card).
Scientists found microplastics in breast milk and human blood.
The chemicals in plastic cause health problems such as obesity.
Is a Life Without Plastic Possible?
A world without plastic is possible if we find the right alternatives.
For example, innovative packaging can reduce plastic waste.
Recently, research is being done on materials that do not harm nature. Such materials allows to minimize the damage of plastics.
Raising People's Awareness and Education
The most important step to create a plastic-free world is to raise people's awareness. We must teach people to understand the harmful effects of plastic use and change their lifestyles accordingly.
A society that values environmental awareness and recycling will significantly reduce plastic.
Policies and Corrections
Policies are very important to reduce plastic use. Some countries have taken significant steps to ban single-use plastic.
Kenya is really succesful in this regard. They have reduced the use of plastic bags by 80% in 4 years due to their ban.
The EU's ban on single-use bags is also a very important step.
Situation in Türkiye and What Can Be Done
By charging for bags, the use of plastic bags has decreased by 75% in Türkiye. A lot of plastic waste was prevented thanks to the Zero Waste Project. Also, big steps are still being taken.
Small Steps Have a Big Impact
We don't have to be perfect to achieve the goal of plastic-free world, we can do it with small steps. The most important thing is to act consciously. You can start by rejecting a plastic product today. You can inform a friend tomorrow, and the day after that you can request a replacement from your local manager. The change is actually flowing through the lines you are reading right now.
Do you think a world without plastic is possible?
Which step are you ready to take?
I'm waiting for your comments!
