Written by Jyothika RH (Grade 10)
Say ‘No’ to plastic, else the future will be drastic!
Only we humans make waste that nature cannot digest – and that is plastic!
Today plastic has become an important part of our everyday life but is a big problem for the environment. Plastic’s invasion of the planet is a reality. If we want to save the planet, the time has come for each and every one of us to take action. Plastic has become a constant element in our lives. From packaging materials to textiles and mobile phones, plastic is everywhere. It’s even in chewing gum! Its omnipresence is such that many would be unable to completely stop using plastic. Reducing the consumption of plastics, therefore, requires not only a change in habits but also a change in mindset.
Currently, India has the largest youth population. If the youth take steps to reduce single-use plastic pollution, then this problem can be solved easily. Youth can play an active role in reducing single-use plastic pollution and protecting the environment.
Saying ‘No’ to single-use plastic is one way for the youth to get involved in the problem of plastic pollution. The youth can help in reducing single-use plastic pollution by making people aware of reducing, reusing and recycling plastic. In our plastic-filled world, avoiding plastic can be pretty challenging. But finding alternatives to common items like plastic bottles and plastic packaging is becoming increasingly easier.
Reducing the consumption of plastics is not as tough as we think it is. These are a few things you can do to help – avoid single-use plastics such as drinking straws; when you go shopping, remember to take a cloth bag; buy more bulk food and fewer packaged products and replace plastic Tupperware for glass or steel containers; when hanging out washed clothes use wooden pegs instead of plastic ones; ensure that you put your plastic waste in the correct container; avoid using cosmetics that use micro-plastics, buy a biodegradable brush and wear natural fabrics; choose to reuse whenever possible; dine-in or takeaway in stainless steel or glass reusable cups; skip disposables and use metal or bamboo plates and cutlery.
Moving from disposable plastic to sustainable alternatives will only make the long-term future of our environment, brighter. The world needs to embrace solutions other than single-use, throwaway plastic. Often, natural materials and alternative technologies can be used to break the addiction to disposable plastic. As you eliminate plastic from your life, you are not only cutting your own contribution to the waste stream but also modelling a more sustainable living for those around you.
In conclusion, NOW is the time, to spread awareness and take the necessary actions for protecting our environment and our planet Earth by reducing the impacts of Single-Use Plastic Products through Alternative Products. Single-use plastic is a ticking time bomb for the environment, so avoid it wherever and whenever possible. We don’t have to engage in grand, heroic actions to save our planet. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform our lifestyle and mindset and thus save the ecosystem. So, raise your hands to end plastic pollution, because to save the environment, it’s the only solution!
Featured Image Courtesy – Forge Recycling