How Can We Make a Change in Our Daily Lives?

There are various methods and directives we can look towards that encourage sustainable living. It is our firm belief that small changes can achieve much broader environmental preservation. We can no longer turn a blind eye on environmental matters that affect all of us globally. It is time we take preemptive action to prevent further harm to our planet, ourselves, and our loved ones. We cannot wait for the next global devastation, as we have with climate change, to take action.

Here are some simple tips which may help to identify how you can make a difference:

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Reduce

We must phase out single use plastic material, such as regular plastic shopping bags. Damaging the aesthetic appeal of communities from strewn plastic bags, a risk towards aquatic and terrestrial organisms, and increasing the risk of microplastic pollution, the detrimental effects of these bags far outweigh their convenience. Utilizing cotton reusable bags at grocery stores, getting rid of the unnecessary use of plastic straws, and even buying in bulk instead of buying individualized plastic packages, are just some ways we can easily reduce our consumption. Eating at home is another convenient way of reducing your plastic consumption. Instead of going out and racking up excessive cartons, plastic utensils, and single-use straws, making a meal at home can save you time, money and the environment.

Reuse

Biodegradable alternatives can be part of the solution to the plastic pollution problem. However, as of now, even these items may take a large amount of time, though less than non-degradable plastics, to degrade in the environment. In fresh and salt water biodegradable alternatives can have longer lifespans than on land. There have been many recent initiatives by NGOs and citizens, especially in European countries, which find inventive and practical ways of reusing regular plastic items to develop innovative and ingenious products. For example, “The New Raw” initiative, has taken reusing plastic material to the next level; developing complex and beautiful designs for urban furniture, they make use of plastic waste and transform it into “meaningful products.”

Recycle

I realize it can become repetitive when environmentalists regularly advocate for greater recycling measures, however given that the EPA reports worldwide recycling rates as of 2018 as 32.8%, this means that more than two-thirds of plastics used worldwide are either discarded into landfills or littered, thereby directly entering our environment. And in the US, only 9% of plastic materials are recycled. We need to do better. As a result of recent additives and other chemicals used to increase the appeal of plastic products, many items have become increasingly difficult to recycle. However, research is underway towards developing plastics which are much easier to recycle, and finding new technological and natural ways of breaking down plastics, and eliminating additives. Which is why it is necessary we do our part as responsible citizens to become informed on which products can be recycled, and recycle wherever and whenever we can.

2. Volunteer!

There are several ways you can get involved in your local communities to mitigate the plastic pollution problem, and especially prevent secondary sources of microplastics from entering our waterways. These are just some examples of how you can make a difference:

Cleanups

Beach, river or lake cleanups are all effective ways to manage our litter pollution situation and to make a difference in your part of the world. This may appear as a fair;y simple ask, but the restorative impact this action has on our environment is significant. In 2018 National Geographics reported that 300 million pounds of trash were collected across the world, just by one organization, the Ocean Conservancy program. Mitigating the issue, cleanups prevent harmful plastics from entering our oceans/freshwater systems, possibly being ingested by animals, and absorbing dangerous chemicals.

Raise Awareness

For a pervasive problem such as this, it is necessary that we continue to raise awareness and draw people to support initiatives for increased funding for research towards microplastic pollution. Microplastic pollution and its implications is gaining greater traction over these past years as we are witnessing the destruction plastics are reaping on our environment. However, there is still extensive research that must be done, especially in relations to the possible human health impacts. Initiatives such as Plastic Detectives, which teaches young children the ubiquity and persistence of microplastic pollution, by conducting their own experiments, is just one of the ways education is essential to spreading awareness. Speaking with local officials, creating social media platfoms, or even integrating these ideas into school curricula or after school activities have significant impact on educating the public.

Join Local Preservation Programs

It's important to support and become involved with local organizations. Around North Carolina there are plenty of opportunities to become involved with river keepers, lake management and beach protection. Linked here are various regions and states provided by the NEIWPCC which have opportunities for water protection programs. Including initiatives such as research, cleanups, educations programs, supporting local and established organizations are amazing ways to get involved in pervasive isssues.

3. Advocate for Reform

The Producers

There is a need for reform on behalf of the manufacturers, producers and retailers of plastics across the world. By 2027, it is reported the worldwide market size for plastic materials will be approximately $754.3 billion. It is clear that the companies who produce and market these products should accept the majority of responsibility for environmental damage. Though many companies remain adament against reform, major companies such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Dow Chemical, POLITICO reports, are giving into consumer demands, and opting towards sustainable practices. The companies themselves are promoting packaging fees, increased recycling programs, and the reuse of recycled material in their products. However, more reform remains to be done. The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021 is a comprehensove bill that has been proposed and introduced to the Senate which, if passed, will mandate companies to fund recycling initiatives and utilize more sustainable practices, such as eliminating single-use plastics. It also employs the tactic of extended producer responsibility (EPR), which is currently adopted by several states such as California, and with this makes the producers accountable for pre-production, processing and post consumer plastic waste. You can help us. By writing to local officials and showing support for legislation such as these, you can make a difference in state and national decisions.

The Consumers

We covered several measurements above that consumers can take to refuse and reduce their plastic consumption, but we will continue laying out more extensive actions that can be taken while we wait for the industries to take decisive steps towards change. Our last option is to recycle, although the rates of recycling in the US are still below average worldwide, but the first step to combatting plastic pollution is reduction. Over 700,000 particles of microfibers come from a single wash. Microfibers usually cannot be filtered by standard Waste Water Treatment or septic tanks. You've read and heard of research throughout the news and several studies on the hazards of microplastics, and this is why we need to encourage eco-friendly living. If you want to wash clothes that are made of synthetic fibers, try washing them by hand. If you need to go to the grcoery store, bring your reusable bags. Bring your own coffee cups to cafes, reuse bottles to plant a diverse selection of herbs, there are many ways you can have a small yet necessary impact on our environment. And if possible, advocate for chnge, support environmental legilsation, and give support to reputable companies who are becoming more environmentally aware and conscious. We have a responsibility to the environment which we live in. It all comes down to a change in mindset.

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