The impact of purchasing single use plastic is brought home by this video, made by a customer and supporter, highlighting the need for all of us to consider the impact of our daily choices.

Think before you shop from Lory Kenyon on Vimeo.

Single Use Plastic is a Problem

Even though plastic is designed to last forever, half of all plastic is used once and thrown away. But that’s only the start of the problems. Because of its chemical make-up, plastic doesn’t really ever go “away.” It may break down into smaller bits, but it’s still there. Plastic is leaching chemicals into landfills. Plastic is being eaten in by small fish in the ocean and moving up the food chain to larger animals, including humans. It’s killing marine life and birds and it’s littering our lands and seas.

50% of sea turtles have plastic in their stomachs.

The good thing about the single use plastic problem is it’s one we can do something about, we can use less. We don’t need single use plastic to survive. They are simply a convenience we’ve come to enjoy. Every time you make a purchase you can choose not to support single use plastic.

There are lots of options. You can plan ahead so you don’t need to grab a plastic water bottle when you’re out and about. Choose something that’s packaged in glass, paper or metal.  All of these materials can successfully be recycled and reused. When plastic is recycled its downgraded into another lower form of plastic until it becomes unusable and is tossed out. Paper, metal and glass can all be used again and again. They don’t ever have to go to a landfill. Or you can skip the purchase all together. Sometimes we don’t really need that single use plastic after all.

Share your pictures, videos and thoughts about single use plastic with us so we can share it with others. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterst. Or email me at Lindsey@PlaineProducts.com