Why you should go plastic free for a month
Plastic - we’ve all heard about it. It’s littering our oceans, killing our fish, and ending up in the stomachs of unsuspecting seagulls. But did you know that plastic is also responsible for the kind of greenhouse gas emissions that are destroying our climate?
Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash
According to a report by the Center for International Environmental Law, plastic releases greenhouse gases at every stage of its lifecycle, from production to disposal. 99% of all plastics are made from fossil fuels, and by 2050 plastic will be responsible for up to 13% of the global carbon budget (that’s as much as 615 coal-fired power plants).
If you care about the planet, it makes sense to want to cut plastic out of your life. But with plastic infiltrating every area of our lives, from our kitchens to the clothes we wear, it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why we’re asking you to join Possible in pledging to avoid single use plastic for a whole month.
Need some advice?
Here are our top three tips for going plastic free:
Don’t rush out and buy new things! We’ve all seen those lists that make it look like avoiding plastic is all about having the right must-have gear. But buying new items you don’t need is no good for the planet (even if they’re not made of plastic). As tempting as it may be to rush out and spend £30 on a stainless steel lunchbox, that old takeaway container in the back of your cupboard will do the job just as well.
Be prepared. One of the easiest ways to slip up when avoiding single-use plastic is to forget to plan ahead. Convenience food is usually wrapped in plastic packaging and on a busy day it can be tempting to just grab a sandwich or a coffee on the go. The simplest and cheapest option is to bring your food with you, but if you’ve no time to cook, make sure to grab a tupperware, some cutlery, and a reusable water bottle and/or coffee cup on your way out of the door. Plenty of places will let you use your own packaging if you ask nicely, which means you can still eat your favourite noodles or salad without using unnecessary plastic.
Get talking. One person giving up plastic might not save the world, but if lots of us do it, we’ll make a real dent into the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere. Tell your friends and family what you’re doing, and share your tips on social media. You never know, you might just inspire them to go plastic-free too.
