Perhaps the most pressing environmental issue today is plastic pollution. Single-use plastics clutter major bodies of water, harming all forms of marine life. While the Philippines is considered to have a mega diverse ecosystem, it’s also responsible for the majority of the world’s plastic pollution.
A study found that each Filipino generates an average of 3.30 kilograms of plastic waste each year. Multiplied by the current population, that’s nearly 400 million kilograms of garbage. Now, imagine 6,667 Boeing 747 aircrafts all filled with plastic. That’s how much plastic pollution the country generates.
This is perhaps because of the common, nationwide practice of buying products in small, cheaper sachets. This demand for affordable options has led to a "sachet economy", where corporations sell palm-sized packages that significantly increase plastic waste in the country.
In the midst of this plastic crisis, people are getting particularly worried about tiny plastic pieces called microplastics, getting in our bodies. After all, plastics are man-made and shouldn't be inside us. Here’s how microplastics are affecting our day-to-day life, and what we can do about it.
A Look at Microplastics
Microplastics can be found in everyday items like cigarettes, clothes, and cosmetics. These tiny particles, measuring up to five millimeters, enter the ocean through various pathways including breakdown of marine litter and industrial leakage.
Once out in nature, animal life, including birds, fish, and mammals, ingest these microplastics. This ingestion causes harmful effects such as reduced food intake, suffocation, behavioral changes, and genetic alterations. Microplastics then infiltrate the human food chain and enter our bodies in various ways, highlighting the pervasive nature of plastic pollution:
- Through Seafood: Microplastics are prominent in marine environments and accumulate in seafood, becoming a significant source of these particles in our diet. Shellfish, due to their filter-feeding mechanisms, often contain higher concentrations of microplastics.
- Via Food Containers: Containers that are not up to the highest safety standards can leach microplastics into the food and beverages they hold. Rigorous vetting and manufacturing processes are essential to minimize this risk.
- From the Environment: People are exposed to microplastics through inhalation of air, consumption of water, and contact with the skin. These particles are small enough to penetrate organs and have even been found in the placentas, indicating they can affect humans even before birth.
In Europe, studies show that individuals can ingest up to 11,000 microplastic particles annually from shellfish. The total estimated annual intake from all food sources ranges from 39,000 to 52,000 particles per person. This extensive exposure to microplastics underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to reduce plastic pollution and safeguard public health.
The Impact of Plastic Pollution on Human Health
Recent research has uncovered alarming links between microplastics and major health problems. A three-year study revealed that individuals with microplastic particles in vital blood vessels faced a significantly increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and even death.
The threat extends beyond microplastics. Large-scale plastic waste is a breeding ground for disease-carrying mosquitoes, escalating the spread of illnesses among humans. The proliferation of plastic garbage, therefore, not only contributes to the growing mosquito population but also amplifies health risks to people.
Moreover, plastic pollution wreaks havoc on marine ecosystems, affecting countless species and the overall health of our oceans. The toxins from plastics are ingested by marine life, leading to bioaccumulation and eventual transmission to humans through the food chain. This cycle of pollution and consumption introduces plastic-related toxins into our bodies, posing long-term health risks.
The widespread use of plastics has led to their pervasive presence in our environment, impacting not only the natural world but also human health on multiple levels. This underscores the urgent need for addressing the plastic crisis, as its effects are far-reaching and deeply intertwined with the well-being of all living creatures on the planet.
Tackling The Plastic Problem: What Now?
In the broader context, many sources of plastic pollution can be mitigated through effective government action. Large corporations must work hand in hand with the government to adopt more eco-friendly practices. However, we can also take individual steps to help alleviate the plastic problem. Here are 7 specific things you can do to combat plastic pollution.
- Reduce Single-Use Plastic Consumption: Start by minimizing your use of single-use plastics, such as bags, bottles, straws, cups, and containers. Opt for reusable items like grocery bags, bottles, utensils, and coffee cups, and decline single-use plastics when possible.
- Recycle Efficiently: Ensure to recycle plastics whenever possible. Set up your own recycling system at home, and encourage your loved ones to recycle, too.
- Clean Up Local Water Bodies: Participate in or organize cleanups at nearby beaches or rivers to physically remove plastics from the environment. This hands-on approach directly helps in combating plastic pollution.
- Advocate for Plastic Reduction Laws: Individual efforts are vital but not enough to combat plastic pollution. Support legislation aimed at reducing plastic production, enhancing waste management, and holding producers accountable. Engage with initiatives that encourage recycling and support local and international policies to reduce plastic use.
- Make Better Packaging Choices: To minimize disposable packaging waste, dine in at restaurants where reusable dishes are used. This eliminates the need for single-use packaging and reduces waste through washing and reusing. If take-out is necessary, consider bringing your own container to local eateries for refills. This helps reduce plastic use and can even save costs. Many local businesses even offer discounts to customers who use their own containers, so it’s beneficial to inquire with the establishment.
- Maximize the Lifespan of Plastics You Already Own: While going plastic-free is beneficial, it's not always feasible due to plastic's lower transport emissions compared to glass. However, since glass is more recyclable and sustainable, it's a better choice when possible. If eliminating plastic entirely isn't an option, extend its use by refilling bottles at local refill shops or repurposing containers like butter and ice cream tubs for storage or planting seedlings.
- Begin with Small Steps: If the idea of reducing plastic use seems overwhelming, start with one manageable change and stick to it. Consider, for instance, opting for a glass ketchup bottle over a plastic one. Once it's empty, you can wash and reuse it, refill it, or recycle it properly.
Tackling the plastic pollution crisis requires a multifaceted approach, where government action, corporate responsibility, and individual behaviors must align towards a sustainable future. By adopting eco-friendly habits such as reducing single-use plastic consumption, recycling efficiently, participating in clean-up efforts, advocating for meaningful legislation, and making smarter packaging choices, we can collectively forge a path towards a cleaner, healthier planet.
A Path to a Healthier Planet with LocknLock’s ReNew
LocknLock is revolutionizing the way we think about food storage with innovative and eco-friendly food keepers. The ReNew line boasts of having 20% bio-based plastic. The vision is to bring it to 100% by 2025, making the food keepers entirely safe for the environment.
Committed to building a greener future, LocknLock utilizes Post-Consumer Recycling (PCR) and Chemical Recycling technology to breathe new life into used plastics. This transformative process converts discarded plastic into a material as pure and functional as virgin plastic, ensuring that our resources are utilized to their fullest potential. Learn more about Chemical Recycling here.
Through this sustainable approach, LocknLock sets a new standard for environmental responsibility in the industry. Our dedication to recycling means that each container contributes to a cycle of reuse, reducing the overall plastic waste footprint.
By choosing LocknLock's food keepers, you’re not just opting for superior storage solutions. You’re actively participating in a movement towards a more sustainable world, where plastic is endlessly recycled and less of it goes to waste. With LocknLock, every container represents a step forward in building a cleaner, more sustainable future– one container at a time. Shop LocknLock’s ReNew food keepers here today!