Reducing the use of plastic in all areas of life concerns us all. Of course, a plastic-free life is the stated ultimate goal. To achieve this, it starts with the first step. For example, the fact that you replace in the household utensils and containers of plastic, when they are obsolete, worn or broken. And then exchange them by sustainable alternatives. These include storage containers, water bottles, disposable plates, hangers, cutting machines, coffee makers, electric kettles, pens, office supplies, toys and much more. But even small parts such as hair clips, closures, garbage bags, disposable lighters, etc.
Here with plastic is meant synthetic material which is produced from crude oil. Not only that dwindling resources are extracted by the use of crude oil of the earth. For the production of various plastic parts a lot of energy is needed. This in turn pollutes the environment as well as the disposal of plastic. At best, plastic is recycled. A certain proportion ends up in the waste incineration plants. Another ends up in landfills, where it takes several centuries to rot roughly anyway. And a large amount is buzzing around in the nature, in forests and in the oceans. The sea dwellers mix up tiny plastic particles with the plankton, eat them and die in it. The fish that survive will be caught and end up at the end as food on our plates. And so we ultimately supply ourselves with once carelessly discarded plastic bags quasi as toxic microparticle. A never-ending poisonous cycle.
Spontaneous shopping after work, while not having a carrying case with you. And then take a plastic bag in the fruit and vegetable department and at the checkout counter. Who does not know that? Almost nothing is easier to be solved than that. There are many environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic bags. Reusable fruit and vegetable bags made of organic cotton, upcycling bags and fabric bags. Many can be folded to small size and fit into any handbag or trouser pocket.
Or the coffee to go? In Germany alone, every hour about 320,000 disposable cups are used, so you can enjoy your coffee on the go. Would everyone use refillable reusable cups made from glass with cork sleeve, such as KeepCup or from bioplastic from NOWASTE, this mountain of rubbish would decrease significantly. And the next time we would only smile about the planned cup toll on disposable cups.
Also for the storage and freezing of foods, it does not need a plastic container. Here there are modern alternatives from bioplastics of ajaa and Biodora. Even if opinions differ on the question of bioplastic, the advantage is obvious: If the reservoirs get to their end of life due to use, they are compostable, degradable and recyclable. In addition, many manufacturers take back the disused containers to recycle and to produce new products therefrom.
Whether in your own home or in the office: Again, there are numerous alternatives for furniture, office equipment and accessories made of bioplastic, recyclable cardboard and FSC certified wood. Instead of equipping the apartment produced with polluted cheap furniture made by under wage dumping, upcycling furniture is another appreciable sustainable alternative. When upcycling disused materials get a second life in the form of a new product. This might be pallets, bicycle tires, fire hoses, metal etc. All in all, better than polluting plastic furniture.
Have you ever checked your machinery and your kitchen helpers in the household? How many devices and kitchen accessories are made almost entirely of plastic? Although cutting machines made of stainless steel may be a bit more expensive in the acquisition in the first moment, but they are durable and recyclable. That pays off in the long run. And how about cooking utensils from FSC beech wood or cherry wood?
Who once starts to banish plastic gradually out of his life, will see how easy it is and how many environmentally friendly alternatives can be found at Greenpicks. And will note that every step counts, in order to preserve your own health as well as nature and our fossil fuel resources. Plastic-free Life? Get started – NOW!
More tips on how and where we all can reduce plastic, can be found in our blog.
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