Going plastic-free
Plastic stays in the environment for a very long time, threatening wildlife and spreading toxins. Friends of the Earth say that almost all of it ends up in our oceans, in the ground or in the air. The 12 million tonnes that end up in the ocean cause pollution as well as killing and harming marine life. The problem is further exacerbated by microplastics – tiny plastic particles that are entering into the food chain.
Manufacturing plastic to start with is damaging to our climate too. Around 90% of plastic is produced from new oil or gas and the production of one tonne of plastic generates up to 2.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Warwickshire may be far from the ocean, but we have plenty of canals and green spaces to enjoy. And unfortunately, discarded plastic is a common sight amongst Warwickshire, and we’re all at risk from the health and climate implications of single-use plastic.
The good news is that reducing our use of plastic is something each and every one of us can do ourselves.
What can you do to reduce your plastic use?
The best way to reduce your plastic use is to avoid buying it in the first place. Avoid single-use coffee cups, swap your plastic straws for metal ones, invest in a reusable water bottle and choose sustainable food wraps rather than cling film. Buy your fruit and vegetables loose rather than those wrapped in plastic bags and use solid bars of soap instead of plastic bottles.
To mark Plastic Free July 2022, we shared one tip each day throughout the month on how you can reduce the amount of single-use plastic you use and throw away and instead find alternatives that we hope will become new habits forever. Have a look at our BestWarwickshire Instagram for each of our suggestions.
Other useful links for tips on reducing your plastic footprint:
Plastic free July (opens new window)
WWF - Ten tips to reduce your plastic footprint (opens new window)