Four innovative ideas that help solve the plastic problemThe circular economy. Box 844 Ross, CA 94957 Shipments %26 General Inquiries 1-800-326-7491.Governments, organizations and millions of people are taking a step forward. Together, we can fight against the 13 million tons of plastic that currently end up in our oceans every year and, eventually, on our plates. The Ocean Cleanup works together with government leaders, individuals and private companies to address the 1000 most polluting rivers in the world, five years after its launch.
Several organizations are investing in plastic-free packaging (or sustainable packaging) as a solution to reduce plastic waste. Some organizations are going back to the roots with 100% plastic-free online stores. All foods come in containers made of glass or other material other than plastic, and others try to recreate the benefits of plastics from organic matter. This constant flood (the equivalent of 136 billion jugs of milk per year, estimates a study published in the journal Science) represents a serious danger to marine life.
Animals can get entangled in this garbage or ingest it because they mistake it for prey or because seawater has broken down plastic into tiny particles. Plastic, of course, is especially problematic because it is not biodegradable and therefore stays much longer (up to 1000 years longer) than other forms of waste. And we're not just talking about people who throw their trash overboard. In reality, about 80 percent of marine litter originates from land washed up the coast or washed into rivers from streets during heavy rains through storm drains and sewer overflows.
Every year, nearly 20 billion plastic bottles are thrown away. Carry a reusable bottle in your bag and you'll never be caught having to resort to Poland Spring or Evian again. If you're concerned about the quality of your local tap water, look for a model with a built-in filter. Urge your elected officials to follow the example of those in San Francisco, Chicago and nearly 150 other cities and counties by introducing or supporting laws that make the use of plastic bags less desirable.
We need to take control of the 10,000 tons of plastic that enter lakes every year, whether we recycle, reuse, or simply ban the material. Scientists say the species could be functionally extinct in as little as 20 years, but there are some solutions within reach. Nearly five percent of the plastic that is produced is washed into waterways and enters our oceans in the form of 14 million tons of plastic waste every year. By 2050, the World Economic Forum estimates that plastic pollution could exceed all fish in the sea.
The effort wastes gas and the load capacity of transport trucks, while increasing greenhouse gas emissions of reach 3 and the possibility that pollution caused by single-use plastics will leak into the environment. At Walmart, the measure eradicated two grams of single-use plastic, the equivalent of 5 plastic straws for every cucumber sold. In Germany, the use of Apeel products also reduced waste in stores and improved sales by 20 percent. Washington, DC, National Press Building, 529 14th Street NW, Suite 1230 Washington, DC.
To address plastic pollution at a more fundamental level, companies such as Alagramo are designing reusable and affordable packaging for common household items rather than single-use plastics. We can all do something to help solve the problem of plastic pollution, and millions of people around the world are already taking steps to reduce their use of plastic. Below are five best practices on how stakeholders can work together to apply the principles of the circular economy to plastic pollution in the oceans. In addition, legislation that limits, taxes, or prohibits unnecessary single-use plastic items, such as plastic bags, takeaway containers and bottles, has been successfully enacted in many parts of the world, and you can also support the adoption of such policies in your community.
A community in Oregon is making spectacular statues with ocean plastic to raise awareness about the crisis at sea. These seven ideas are only superficial to finding ways in which you can help address the growing problem of plastic pollution in the oceans. We also need legislation that reduces plastic production, improves waste management and makes plastic producers responsible for the waste they generate. Internationally, hundreds of organizations and companies are calling on the United Nations to enact a global treaty on plastics that establishes global rules and regulations that reduce plastic pollution.
In response to the increasing devastation caused by plastic pollution, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) is calling for a legally binding global agreement on plastics by 2024.Help remove plastics from the ocean and prevent them from getting there in the first place by participating in or organizing a clean-up of the local beach or waterway. .
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