Why Plastics Are Harmful ? | Banana Leaves, Mushroom Packaging, Non-liquid Soaps... |

Plastics and its hidden harmful effects!

It was in 1862 that Alexander Parkes introduced the world's first-ever man-made plastic, at the London International Exhibition. “Parkesine,” as it was called, was marketed as an alternative to ivory and horn that Parks discovered while trying to develop a synthetic substitute for shellac for waterproofing. 

Microplastics:

Once at sea, sunlight, wind, and wave action break down plastic waste into small particles, often less than one-fifth of an inch across. These so-called microplastics are spread throughout the water column and have been found in every corner of the globe, from Mount Everest, the highest peak, to the Mariana Trench, the deepest trough.

Microplastics are breaking down further into smaller and smaller pieces. Plastic microfibers, meanwhile, have been found in municipal drinking water systems and drifting through the air.

Plastics Pollution:

Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, as rapidly increasing production of disposable plastic products overwhelms the world’s ability to deal with them. Plastic pollution is most visible in developing Asian and African nations, where garbage collection systems are often inefficient or nonexistent. But the developed world, especially in countries with low recycling rates, also has trouble properly collecting discarded plastics. Plastic trash has become so ubiquitous it has prompted efforts to write a global treaty negotiated by the United Nations.

 

                          

Harm to wildlife:

Millions of animals are killed by plastics every year, from birds to fish to other marine organisms. Nearly 700 species, including endangered ones, are known to have been affected by plastics. Nearly every species of seabird eats plastics.

Plastics have been consumed by land-based animals, including elephants, hyenas, zebras, tigers, camels, cattle, and other large mammals, in some cases causing death.

Solution:

The solution is to prevent plastic waste from entering rivers and seas in the first place, many scientists and conservationists—including the National Geographic Society—say. 

This could be accomplished with improved waste management systems and recycling, better product design that takes into account the short life of disposable packaging, and reduction in manufacturing of unnecessary single-use plastics.            

What about Bio-Plastics?

Bioplastics are biodegradable or compostable plastics made from natural substances instead of petrolem. The idea is that these new, earthier plastics can replace the harmful ones in our food and around our home. This seems like a great alternative, doesn’t it?

Bioplastics can also contaminate municipal recycling programs when people unknowingly add them to their recycling. Many bioplastics even contain significant amounts conventional plastic.

Natural Alternative Packaging:

Many companies are working on fully compostable (in some cases edible!) packaging. Here are some examples already on the market.

Mushroom packaging:

A combination of agricultural waste and mycelium (mushroom) root, this home compostable product is “grown” on a hemp-flour mixture, and then dried to halt the growth process. It’s most commonly used to replace Styrofoam packaging.

Seaweed-based packaging that comes in edible and biodegradable grades.

Pressed hay is being used as egg cartons in Poland.

Banana Leaves:

In Thailand, where the plastic problem is reaching crisis proportions, one supermarket has opted to go plastic-free in favour of banana leaf-and-bamboo packaging. And while banana leaves may only be practical where they’re readily available, this does reinforce the idea of using local, compostable materials.

How to Break the Plastic Habit?

There are many easy swaps we can all make that will help begin to cut plastic pollution. As more of us demand non-plastic options from the companies we buy from, the amount of plastic being mindlessly produced and tossed will finally begin to decline. Start with some manageable first steps that can cut down your plastic use significantly.

Use plastic-free beverage containers:

A long-lasting water bottle means you never need to buy a bottled drink or use a plastic straw. Bringing your own reusable cup to your favorite coffee shop means you can skip the cup, lid and straw.

Ditch the plastic bags:

A staggering trillion plastic bags are used every year. Bring your own shopping bag, and help show others we can buy produce without plastic with reusable produce bags. Bring your own containers when shopping the bulk bins so you don’t need the plastic ones typically provided (and unfortunately used by most shoppers).

Switch to non-liquid soaps:

Liquid soaps, shampoos, and detergents have added enormous amounts of plastic waste to the environment. Look for bar soap and a shampoo bar for the bathroom, and opt for powders packed in recyclable containers for the laundry and kitchen.

Some stores also carry liquid soaps in bulk so you can refill containers repeatedly, but the footprint of bar soaps is still smaller.

Choose glass, metal or unlined paper packaging whenever possible. You’ll often find you have a more environmentally friendly choice than plastic when you’re selecting honey, oil, or dry goods.

New colour coded dustbins were procured. 

Three seperate dustbins, near each block for disposal of different types of wastes. Segregated wastes are now dumped in the particular dustbins of Green, Blue, Yellow colour.      

How plastics move around the world?

Most of the plastic trash in the oceans, Earth’s last sink, flows from land. Trash is also carried to sea by major rivers, which act as conveyor belts, picking up more and more trash as they move downstream. Once at sea, much of the plastic trash remains in coastal waters. But once caught up in ocean currents, it can be transported around the world.

Conclusion:

If you’ve made it to the end of this post, we hope you’re now looking at the plastic bag in your living room differently or the plastic bottle you bought from the supermarket.

We all are learning about the effects of plastic and there are huge steps to go in making a big difference. If you’re not already fully converted, we hope we’ve inspired you to try some new, more environmentally friendly products and we’d love it if you would consider some of our own.

Go Green!
Go Lean!
“Keep green and keep our planet clean.”

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