This World Environment Day we are reminded about the serious problems our planet is facing as a result of the millions of tons of plastic the world is producing, using and disposing of each year. The enormous volume of plastic makes it one of our biggest waste problems. Permeating every corner of the planet, plastic is polluting ecosystems and creating risks for humans and the environment.
#BeatPlasticPollution gives us the opportunity to reflect and take action as individuals, businesses, organisations and communities, to adopt sustainable practices that can drive systemic change to create a healthier future. (https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/)
Often as individuals we wonder what we can do to be part of a solution when a problem seems so big it is surely beyond our ability to make a difference, but we all have a role to play in tackling our plastics problem, and as an individual, business and consumer we CAN make a big impact by making small changes to how we use plastic.
Some simple ways to reduce plastic waste are to avoid unnecessary and single-use plastics, support businesses who are reducing plastic waste and re-using existing plastic.
- Say no to disposable plastic cutlery, plastic straws and other single-use plastics.
- Avoid plastics that cannot be recycled if other alternatives exist.
- Avoid products with excess or unnecessary plastic packaging.
- Adopt reusable items such as water bottles, shopping bags, keep cups and travel cutlery.
Most of us can also do more to recycle.
- Look for the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) on your product. It tells you which parts of packaging can and can’t be recycled.
- Look for container deposit schemes where you will be paid money for returning used containers. These schemes help to keep plastic out of landfill. (https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/how-you-can-reduce-plastic-waste-fs.pdf)
The Skills Generation Sustainability Initiative remains focussed on raising awareness and contributing to achieving sustainability goals and actions in our work and home lives. Some of the popular sustainability hacks favoured by the team for reducing plastics include recycling via donating to and purchasing from Op Shops, bringing homecooked food for lunch, and packaging lunches in containers rather than disposable/single-use plastic wraps, using refillable multi-use drink bottles, separating recyclable waste using the recycling system in the office (and at home), and utilising the Go For Zero sustainable strategy we have implemented for recycling difficult items.
We celebrate this World Environment Day, and in both words and actions say thank you to our magnificent earth and its precious resources.
#WorldEnvironmentDay #BeatPlasticPollution #SustainabilityInitiative
