What is Single-use Plastic and Why is it Hazardous to the Environment?

1. What isSingle-use Plastic and Why isit Hazardous tothe Environment? Did you know that the world has nine billion tonnes of plastic? Thisis equivalentto4MountEverestsworthofwaste–andjust9%isrecycled? One of the most monumental problems of all is single-use plastic, but do youknowwhatthattermmeans? Understanding Single-UsePlastics Single-use plastic is easytounderstand. It refers to plastic packagingthat cannot be used again and may or may not be recycled depending on the plasticmaterialtype,henceitsname. Here’salistofsomesingle-use plasticitems: Straws Plasticcutlery Plastic shoppingbags Disposable plastic lids for hot drinks Plastic waterbottles Take-awayboxesanddrinks’cups Cigaretteends Food wrapsBottlecapsStirrers All of these are common, everyday items that pose a hazard to the environment. To lead a pure living lifestyle, it is wise to take note of your own plastic packaging that you purchase and make a vow not to buy productsthatinvolvesingle-useplastic. On a positive note, many huge global companies have sat up and taken notice of the environmental dangers of single-use plastic. For example, Hyatt Hotels has banned single-use plastic, so has Starbucks and McDonalds (in somecountries). InformationSource: https://purecult.in/ PU R E C U L T . I N

2. Manycountriesaroundtheworldarejoiningforcestostoptheuseofsingle-Manycountriesaroundtheworldarejoiningforcestostoptheuseofsingle- use plastic; some have started their bans (16 in all) including the United Kingdom, the USA and Taiwan. India will follow later this year in October. Additionally, there are 127 countries that have some form of legislation in place to kerb the use of this type of plastic. Many countries now have taxation on carry bags, for example, in some states in India if you go shopping to a supermarket, you are asked to pay for carry bags, therefore, encouragingshopperstobringtheirownbagswiththemandre-use. India’s single-use plastic ban comes into force on 2nd October this year, with the plan being that all single-use plastics will be scrapped by 2022. The ban will mean corporates such as airports, hotels, offices and airlines willeventuallyremovealluseofsingle-useplastic,replacingitwith recyclable plastic or cardboard and paper. The ban covers the import and manufacturing ofsingle-useplastic. This is doubtless a fantastic initiative. Indiahasoneofthebiggestcoastlinesintheworld,andsoisresponsiblefor some of the pollution problem in the oceans surrounding the country.This banwillhelptopreventfishandothermarinelifefromgoinginto extinction. It also will positively impact on the toxicity problem of the chemicals that linger from decomposing plastic, so that humans and land animalsdon’tingesttheharmfulchemicalsthatcouldendangertheirlives. WhyisSingle-UsePlasticHarming theEnvironment? SomeFacts! Bearinmindthatplasticsdon’tbiodegrade;theyjustslowlyturnintomicro- plastics, tiny particles of plastic.Not only does it pose danger to marine life, thesemicro-plasticsreleasetoxicchemicalsthateventuallytransferintothe atmosphere,plantlifeandanimaltissue.Remember,wehumanseatmeat, fish, fruit and vegetables – even a strict vegan is not safe from these toxic chemicals because they enter plants and animal tissue. Worryingly, not many people realise that Styrofoam (a single-use plastic), for example, is extremely toxic and if it is ingested, it can seriously damage reproductive organs,thelungsandthenervoussystem. 150milliontonsofplasticisliterallyfloatingaroundinouroceans,poisoning the fish and plant life. It’s also getting worse. Every year, 8 million tons of plasticlandsupinthewaterandifitdoesn’tstop,by2050,ultimatelythere couldbemoreplasticthanfish.Soberingstuff! InformationSource: https://purecult.in/ PU R E C U L T . I N

3. WhatcanWeDo? Aswellascountrybans,whatcanwedoaboutit?Well,wecanallbemore awareofwhatsingle-useplasticwehaveinourhomes,it’sdefinitelytimeto ownup, takeactionandchange!Whynotstartyourdaybybrushingwitha bamboo toothbrush. Every toothbrush manufactured since 1930 is still on ourplanet.That'sbillionsandbillionsofthem!! Don’t use shopping bags made of plastic, instead, use cloth bags or paper bags and take them out with you when you go shopping. Take your own flasks of tea or coffee to work, use coffee shops that provide re-usable disposable cups. Don’t buy plastic water bottles – use a Chilly bottle or similar flask-type instead. Never buy plastic straws, buy paper instead. Refuseone,ifoffereditwheninarestaurantorbar. On a positive note, more and more countries are taking ownership of the single-use plastic problem. This is all good news, but we as individuals also needtotakeresponsibilitytoliveapurelifestyle.Everypersonontheplanet should take note, get on-board and lead a life which as far as possible involvesonlyusingrecyclablematerials.Inaworldofenvironmentaldangers, we need to own up, act and change to make it a better place for future generations. Inaworldofenvironmentaldangers,weneedtoownup,actandchangeto makeitabetterplaceforfuturegenerations. InformationSource: https://purecult.in/ PU R E C U L T . I N