Disclaimer: I am writing this article having consumed my coffee in a plastic cup and with a plastic straw today. Yes, I admit it. It happens even in the best of families. Please, continue reading.
Today we will dive into the addictive world of single use plastics. By the definition of the UNEP “often also referred to as disposable plastics, are commonly used for plastic packaging and include items intended to be used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. These include, among other items, grocery bags, food packaging, bottles, straws, containers, cups and cutlery.”
To put it simply, the straw I just used to consume my coffee for roughly 20 minutes, will remain on this planet for the next 200 years.
As we have said before at @eco_sophia, there are two things that never lie; hips and maths. Almost 50% of the plastic waste derives from packaging. From our plastic coffee cup to the plastic wrap around bananas. Literally, bananas wrapped around tons of plastic. The same bananas that have fallen from at least 3 meter trees. The same bananas that have travelled literally all over the world, to reach your super market. Yes, you surely need a plastic wrap to get them from your local supermarket to your home -10 minutes distance max.
Since the 1950s, the production of plastic has outpaced every single other material and most of the plastic we design has a lifespan of single use. I have no intention of repeating the same old; bring your coffee cup (DO THAT!), buy bamboo straws (you should have done that already), carry your tote bag in the supermarket (don’t get me started). But ask yourself, even if I stop using plastics in my daily life, can I really save the world? Can my “No, I’ll take that without the plastic bag.” be a gamechanger?
Well, I don’t know. But what if we ask ourselves, all together, at the same time? Can 7.8 billion of people really make a difference if they simply refused the plastic cotton swab?
Ecosophia is a state of “BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD” mind. So, just be!
‘Till next Friday, stay curious.
P.S. The title refers to the very first campaign by @eco_sophia , so go follow!