This Plastic Free July is the time to say no to single use plastics, to shop to minimise the plastic waste you create and to support recycling and recycled plastic products. The thing about single-use plastic is that we forget about it. We use it once and then we put it in the bin (recycling or otherwise) and forget it ever existed, but that plastic will continue to exist for hundreds of years. All the plastic that has ever been made, that you have ever touched or seen or used, is still in existence somewhere on this planet and, sometimes, this is in the ocean. Even properly disposed of, waste is being blown or washed into waterways.
And the target of the 2017 is The Straw.
And the target of the 2017 is The Straw.
It all started with the 5p charge for single use plastic bags two years ago and has saved billions of plastic bags from being used and wasted. More than £29 million has also been donated to good causes as a result of the charge (data can be seen by clicking here). This was followed last year, by the UK government announcing a plan to ban micro-beads in cosmetics, a move that has been supported by governments, companies and non-governmental organisations in 38 countries around the world (and you can watch progress on this dedicated website http://www.beatthemicrobead.org/).
But this year, our sights are set on the straw. When you think about it, going without a straw is one of the easiest things that a person can do, but going without a straw can make a world of difference. If you haven't seen the video of the turtle having a straw removed from its nostril then click here to see just how much difference you can make. It is difficult to watch but watching it really emphasises the importance that you do, and don't worry too much, the turtle was healthy enough to be released again afterwards. Any of us could have used that straw.
So people all over the world are talking to restaurants, talking to children, talking to politicians and talking to each other, asking people to use fewer straws. All you need to do is ask for your drink without a straw and, to all the servers out there, offer straws rather than simply giving them in every drink.
It really is that easy to change the world.
So people all over the world are talking to restaurants, talking to children, talking to politicians and talking to each other, asking people to use fewer straws. All you need to do is ask for your drink without a straw and, to all the servers out there, offer straws rather than simply giving them in every drink.
It really is that easy to change the world.
Photo courtesy of Nick Pumphrey of a snorkeller swimming with a manta ray off the coast of Nusa Lembongan near Bali
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