by Krix Luther | Eco News
How To Slow Down The Single-Use ‘Plastic’ Rampage
It was the shocking condition of trash, mostly plastic, that had first pushed me into starting Clean The Beach Boot Camp program. Although it was a healthy body that was on my mind, it was pretty clear from the sight of things that without a healthy environment, health was just fancy talk. In only five years of starting CBBC, we managed to clear off more than 1.12 million pounds of trash worldwide. By then, it was obvious to all of us involved, PLASTIC is the main culprit, and we needed to take it down.
Clearing trash that had already washed ashore was only dealing with the effect and not addressing the cause behind the issue. If you follow the whole chain of events before the plastic garbage makes its way to our oceans or beaches, you will soon reach the common people, regular households and most probably, your own home. We may not have much control over all the logistics and environmental factors that go into garbage management, but we do, however, have complete control over what we choose to bring home... And by that, I mean SINGLE USE PLASTIC.
Well, for starters, we produce somewhere around 300-400 million tons of plastic every year. About 90% of these, get dumped, not recycled. In just Europe, over 100 million plastic bags are given out every year. Over half of these, are used just once! And it’s the same case with plastic wrappers, straws, cups... The list is quite long. Remember that plastic takes over thousands or even millions of years to decompose. Hence, the now popular but scary term, ‘Single Use Plastic’.
Although plastic, in general, is a huge concern, narrowing it down to single-use plastic makes it far simpler for us common folks to do something about this issue. So now, let’s take a look at some of the common variety of these inorganic pests that we can get rid of right away!
Plastic Straws
Did you know, you can drink pretty much anything directly with your mouth without the help of a plastic straw? It might even feel more natural and easier. Jokes apart, do you seriously need that straw? Because, although seemingly small and innocent looking, these little buggers are manufactured in the billions around the world and almost always ends up clogging our waterways and landfills.
"500 million straws are used and thrown away every day in the United States alone."
Besides, if you do prefer to sip through a straw, there are stainless steel alternatives that you can proudly flaunt. But that’s not the actual issue here. Most of the time, there is a store policy in play that instructs its staff to stuff the customer's bag with plastic straws, cups and cutlery at the slightest hint of them buying something to drink or eat. And when you consider the fact that hundreds of millions of customers walk in and out such convenient stores, fast food joints etc. every single day with a handful of plastic straws just to be thrown away, the reality is quite unnerving. Here’s an example, of one of the world’s largest chain of convenience stores showing no concern for the environment - 7-Eleven & Plastic: A Tragic Saga. But it’s still important that each of us does our part. So, #RefuseTheStraw!
Plastic bags
The dreaded plastic bag! Probably the mother of all these single-use pests. The plastic bags finds its way into everyone’s hands and comes loaded with other plastic items in it.
Can you imagine, a million plastic bags were given out around the world, in just the last minute. And all of it gets discarded the moment the person carrying it, reaches home. It’s not rocket science on how to avoid this menace. Just take your own cloth or paper bag with you the next time you go shopping for groceries. Plus it makes you look way cooler than the ones with the noisy plastic bags. That’s probably the main reason some of the retail stores now opt for paper bags instead!
Coffee Cups
Another seemingly harmless everyday thing makes it into the list of avoidable and harmful single-use plastic items. Once again, citing the example of 7-Eleven stores, an astounding 1.1 million coffee cups leave their store every day. And this not including the other beverages that too are sold in the millions every day or the additional straws, spoons etc. that they pack for you.
"The United Kingdom alone discards around 3 billion coffee cups every year!"
If you must have your coffee on the go, then you should consider carrying along your own mug or flask with you. Besides, the plastic used on the inner lining of coffee cups are not of the highest quality and have been found to be leaking BPA and other toxins when in contact with hot or acidic items. And if you are sitting down at the cafe, then it really is a no-brainer to opt for a mug, isn’t it?
Water Bottles
This one here has many readily available alternatives, and yet it is one the major plastic pollutants out there. The plastic bottles we use to quench our thirst is slowly clogging up and poisoning the very source of water! Even a flimsy water bottle, takes about 1000 years to decompose.
Carrying your own stainless steel bottle is the safest, smartest and also the cheapest way to drink water! Just fill it up at a water fountain or simply ask at the cafe or restaurant you were in.
Plastic Cutlery
If you regularly have your lunch at work using plastic plates and spoons, keeping some of your own environmentally friendly dishes in the office kitchen will only make you look like a more aware and smarter person. You will also have a much cleaner conscience, knowing that the plate you had food from won’t turn into a toxic food for some other life form by getting dumped in the ocean.
These might seem like tiny steps, but make no mistake - Each person’s effort in this fight against single-use plastic has a significant effect in bringing down the harm caused by it. After all, it is not just the big corporations, but us common folk that are the primary consumers of single-use plastic. When we all stop consuming, the corporations will have no choice but to heed to the need of the hour - and that is to stop this plastic rampage!
ibanplastic is one such movement, fighting the plastic problem haunting our planet using the support of individuals like you and me. If you too have taken some meaningful steps to reduce the usage of single-use plastic, please share it through your comments and get a few others motivated enough to act!
by Krix Luther | Eco News
[vc_row][vc_column][charityhome_vc_section_title title=”Taiwan Bans Single Use Plastic” sub_title=”Taiwan Takes The Fight Against Plastic To The Next Level” slogan=”Declares Ban On Plastic Straws, Bags & Utensils. Further, To Phase Out All Single-Use Plastic By 2030.”][/charityhome_vc_section_title][vc_single_image image=”10952″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Routine shopping activities and the regular visit to the convenient store is about to have a massive change in scenario. News from the Hong Kong Free Press reveals that Taiwan is all set to ban single-use plastic items such as straws, cups, bags etc. Once implemented, this will be one of the biggest moves against plastic, across the world. As more awareness spreads about the catastrophic damage this inorganic material is causing to the environment, Taiwan’s decision throws light on the global momentum the fight against plastic is gaining.
An official of an Environmental Protection agency based in Taiwan, Lai Ying-yaun, says the government plans to drastically cut down the ocean pollution caused by plastic trash, which also inevitably gets into our food chain. To achieve this, a complete ban on single-use plastic will be in place by 2030.
A long-term plan, such as this, also makes it possible to further build upon regulations currently in place, like an extended recycling scheme, additional expenses for plastic carry bags etc. In 2019, the regulations will initially begin by banning restaurants from handing out plastic straws to customers. From there, diners will be directed to ban plastic by 2020, entirely. Even department stores will have to pay extra if they want to give out free plastic containers, bags etc. These fees will be increased by 2025.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]According to reports from the Hong Kong Free Press, these small but significant steps will, by 2030, ultimately conclude with an all-out ban on all single-use plastic items such as straws, bags, utensils etc. Lai Ying-Yaun points out the steel or even edible alternatives for straws, and even to the fact that straws are probably not needed at all, and their ban will not result in any inconvenience.
Every year close to 400 million metric tons of plastic is produced globally, with almost 10 million tons finding their way into the ocean. Taiwan’s war on plastic comes as no surprise if one is to consider the current magnitude of plastic pollution.
“If you still don’t have a clear picture, imagine a garbage truck full of plastic emptying itself into the ocean – every minute!”
The declaration by Taiwan contributes to a much more prominent headway against plastic as the different governments around the world agree that the convenience of single-use plastic pales in comparison to the damage it causes. A global ban was recently proposed by the UN against the amount of plastic waste flowing into the oceans. Canada has similar plans to propose later this year for the G7 summit. Councils across Scotland have banned plastic straws, and even Malibu recently forbid restaurants from handing-out plastic containers.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”10951″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Plastic straws, a predominantly unnecessary item, has especially caught the attention of many environmentalists. Just in the US, close to 500 million plastic straws are given out each day. Since the US barely accounts for 4.4% of the planet’s population, the actual amount of plastic straws thrown out each day is unimaginable. These figures should be frightening to you since the flimsy plastic straws, are single-use items and cannot be recycled. Which means all of those hundreds of millions of quite useless items will end up polluting our oceans for a long, long time.
Taiwan has set a brilliant example by going one step ahead and banning many other widespread single-use plastic items. This move will hopefully influence the more significant users of plastic to give up on this non-biodegradable material.
Slowly, but surely a wave of change is forming. You can help in speeding up the fight against plastic by spreading awareness through sharing inspiring articles such as these or even your own story by commenting below![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
by Krix Luther | Eco News
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Malibu Forbids Bans Single Use Plastic
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”10944″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The move comes as an effort to protect the beaches in Malibu from the ongoing onslaught of plastic contamination.
Sheila Morovati and her family, residents of Malibu, is used to visiting and enjoying the beach, now and then. During their visits, Mrs Morovati and her husband along with their two children, also make it a point to collect a minimum of ten pieces of trash each. Not surprisingly, most of the garbage is plastic – bottles, lids, spoons, forks, straws etc.
Fed up, of all this easily avoidable plastic trash, Morovati, last year, focussed on plastic straws and initiated a campaign to ban them from Malibu. Her efforts bore fruit as the City Council sided with her and banned plastic utensils, stirrers and straws from being handed out by the nearly 65 restaurants and other food vendors of this beach town.
The environmental sustainability director of the city, Craig George, was clear on his stand that his department intends to protect the beach and the ocean on which the local community depends. And although the plastic pollution crisis affects the entire country, Craig believes that the most important thing is for the change to start and if implemented at the local level then the rest of the cities might follow. Even mayor Rick Mullen was adamant on the city’s stand against such single-use plastic, even if it might cost his people a little extra.
The ban comes into effect from June 1. By then all of these businesses will have to replace the plastic handouts with environment-friendly alternatives such as paper, bamboo etc. The move also encourages restaurants to replace their existing cutlery with reusable ones made of glass, metal etc.
For Malibu, this ban marks another feather in the cap, in its fight against single-use plastic. Earlier in 2008, this beach down had put a ban shopping bags made of plastic, to control the amount of these bags that ended up in the ocean and harms the marine ecosystem. Their efforts didn’t go unnoticed, as Los Angeles followed in their footsteps, and finally, the entire state banned plastic shopping bags. Environmentalists in Malibu are hoping for a similar reaction this time around too. Similar movements are happening all around the world. Recently, Scotland banned plastic straws after a campaign started by school children gained momentum.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”10943″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Morovati also expects other cities to follow in the footsteps of Malibu. Critics, however, claim that some businesses will feel the burn of this ban, as they will have a hard time finding an alternative since those available are much more expensive.
For a while now, environmentalists who have been voicing against plastic straws, have exclaimed that the nation, per day, discards roughly 500 million plastic straws. Even the city officials while reporting on this new law, cited this figure. A little bit of investigation reveals that this number comes from research which a Nine-year-old kid conducted in 2011, wherein he inquired with the manufacturers upon the number of straws produced per day. Although one may doubt the validity of the number this research claims, environmentalists are confident that the reality too, would be very close. Remove a few hundred or even a couple of thousand, and it still makes a staggering amount!
Harlin Savage from Eco-Cycle, a non-profit recycler, explains that plastic doesn’t decompose, but only breaks down into smaller and smaller particles. All the plastic waste ends up in landfills or the ocean. According to environmental activists, since plastic is not biodegradable, it is most harmful when it ends up in the ocean.
Malibu is indeed proving to have a good conscience with the actions it has initiated against plastic both in the past and in recent times. And it doesn’t seem like this beach town is going to stop with just this ban. According to some inside news, Malibu has apparently marked plastic lids, typical beach trash, as it’s next target. Kudos to Malibu! You too can join the gang of those with a clear conscience and significant awareness by acting against the use of single-use plastic. Share your comments and let us know how you play your part in this fight against plastic.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
by Krix Luther | Eco News
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64Lbs Of Plastic Found In The Belly Of A Sperm Whale
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”10956″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The body of a massive 10-meter-long sperm whale was found recently in Spain, on its southern coast. The shocking part came, when upon examination, plastic, weighing almost 29 kilos, was found in its stomach. Experts from the El Valle Wildlife Recovery Centre, during the autopsy of this male whale, found items such as plastic bags, numerous shards of nets and ropes, Cans etc. The experts all came to the same conclusion, that it was the vast quantity of plastic which the whale had ingested and could not expel, that led to its death. The plastic having caused blockage it its intestinal tract would have caused abdominal infection such ‘peritonitis’, that eventually turned fatal for the whale.
As shocking as it seems, this incident shouldn’t really come as a big surprise to any of us. Environmentalists around the world have been crying out aloud for a long time about the catastrophic level of plastic pollution.
“Considering the fact that the world dumps over 8 million tons of plastic in the ocean every year, 25 kilo is literally, just a drop in the ocean.”
This frightening, as well as embarrassing discovery, did, however, prompt the Murcia government in Spain to take action, as it launched an awareness camp regarding the hazards of single-use plastic. The Murcian governments Director-general of Natural Environment, commented on plastic pollution in the ocean being the biggest threat to the marine wildlife, with many deaths of the marine animals occurring either due to ingestion or by getting trapped and strangulated by the plastic debri.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”10958″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Scientists recently updated that the infamous great pacific garbage patch has 79,000 tons of plastic fragments, and was now thrice the size of France! Another garbage patch recently discovered was twice the size of Mexico. Experts predict that by 2050, the plastic in the ocean will outweigh the fishes. Going by the trend in plastic usage and its eventual dumping in the ocean, news such as these will surely not be the last. Here are a few examples of whales washing ashore, belly full of plastic.
The tide, however, although slowly, seems to be changing as the fight against plastic is beginning to gain momentum. Imminent personalities speaking up against plastic pollution is accelerating the awareness spreading amongst the masses. Recently David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II, woke up millions of viewers to the reality of plastic pollution. He did not just stop there though. Read here on how Attenborough Roped In The The Queen And The BBC To Shun Single-Use Plastic.
Efforts such as these help build up the momentum, as more and more people begin to give up on single-use plastic. News regarding campaigns against plastic is beginning to crop up all around the world. Malibu recently forbid restaurants from handing out plastic straws, cups etc. Even children are joining in the fight against plastic. A campaign started by school children has got councils across Scotland to ban plastic straws.
It is efforts such as these, that are a silver lining among the very dark clouds of plastic pollution. And these efforts start from individuals such as you. Begin by making changes in your own life, to reduce or altogether avoid plastic. And just as important is to spread the awareness by educating others on the perils of plastic pollution. If you have already begun to take such steps, then comment below and let others be inspired to do the same![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
by Krix Luther | Eco News
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Bangkok Caters To The Needy.
City Launches Community Fridge To Cater To The Needy.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”10976″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]The city famous for its street food and dining out, Bangkok, has gone up a notch in the game by fixing a flaw in its system and solving a social problem at the same time. Although the city is flooded with delicious looking food everywhere, a good part of it never gets consumed. When the days business is over, most of the leftover food goes straight into the trash can. And it’s the same all over the world. All this wasted food in Bangkok confirms and adds to the global statistics by the United Nations Environment Program that we waste nearly one-third of the food produced.
Food rescue foundation, ThaiHarvest/SOS, however, could not digest this fact. The foundation proceeded with a plan to get all these excess food to the hungry and needy people in Bangkok, by launching the city’s first Community fridge. Vicharee Vichit-Vadakan, the founder & managing director, of The Commons, an upscale city mall in Thong-Lor, welcomed this great initiative by hosting the fridge in their space.
Grundig, a firm dealing in household appliances, donated the fridge to the cause, while the various vendors in the complex contribute with leftover food that passes quality standards and is suitable for consumption. Tanaporn Oi-isarnanukul, the donor relations coordinator and food hygienist for ThaiHarvest/SOS, is always excited, even on a Sunday afternoon, as she climbs off the shiny new food truck to check what was donated previous night. The refrigerated truck then collects and distributes the fridge contents to the various poor communities across the city.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”10974″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]
The food delivery that is welcomed with outstretched arms.
One of the locations the food truck delivers to is in the Nonthaburi province. Here a Vietnamese and Cambodian refugee group have formed a small Christian community. Every Sunday, Pastor Pornchai’s congregation of roughly 50-60 people, gather outside the church, awaiting the weekly delivery of food items.
From among the churchgoers, Thai members start sorting out the portions to hand out. The refugees patiently, wait in line for their turn. Many of them waiting to take food and share with their family members. One such refugee, John, mentioned how he looks forward to when pork and beef are available, although he enjoys the different variety of food that comes in too. For some, these deliveries by ThaiHarvest/SOS is a nice change from the otherwise eggs or vegetables that are cheaply available at the local market. The people here didn’t think much about food that was leftover and meant to be thrown away. Although, they did wonder why upscale restaurants would want to give it away for free.
Their pastor’s word, however, puts everyone at ease. Everyone continues to pick up portions as per their liking and availability, with no one grabbing too much. Soon it’s all distributed, and one can see the happy crowd returning home, while some find a shade in the soi, to enjoy their nice little Sunday meal.
Accomplishments and strategies for the future.
ThaiHarvest/SOS have, since the start of this project in December 2016, have saved close to 583 kilograms of good food from The Commons, from being dumped. The various contributing businesses are also updated on a monthly basis with such data.
It is hard, for those in the catering business, to accurately estimate what or how much food they can donate per day. In some weeks there’s hardly half a kg of food, while on the better days the fridge has even 28 kilograms of food. This unsteady amount of food received from restaurants poses the biggest challenge for the foundation.
To counter this problem, Tanaporn plans on starting the fridge at various other Malls around Bangkok. Even marketplaces, avenues with several dining venues, food courts, hotels, canteens etc. could easily supply surplus food instead of throwing them away. When the number of donors goes up, the amount of food donated would also get more consistent, and those who depend on this food can expect a more regular supply for their hunger.
Bangkok, with its first ever community fridge, has now become a part of the positive movement around the world. From London to Mumbai to Auckland, and now Bangkok, these big cities are proving that they also have a big heart.
With numerous food outlets in Bangkok promoting and catering to the obsession of eating out, there certainly will be no shortage of good to eat leftover food. All that is needed is to ensure it reaches the stomach of the hungry and not a trash can in some back alley. If you own a food & beverage business and have a good conscience, get in touch with ThaiHarvest/SOS through email info@thaiharvestsos.org or give them a call on 096-808-8008. If not, then please share this article, so that it may reach someone who can contribute.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”10973″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
What can the poor expect to get from a community fridge?
How about bread, spareribs of barbequed pork, fresh green salads, veggies like broccoli, cucumber and carrots. Sometimes the fridge surprises you with some expensive items like pastries and croissants! The manager of Little Pea Café, Connie Estampador-Adaya, is all too happy to donate to this cause, which allows her to serve only fresh food to the café customers and at the same time help cut the hunger of the poor people who live nearby.
Ensuring food quality and delivery
Although the fridge is kept clean and spotless, food safety is still a big concern. Which is why the foundation does not accept food made using coconut milk, cooked rice and even seafood items. Tanaporn is, however, very happy to receive bakery items, frozen meat products – ham, sausages, and even fresh veggies and fruits. Still, before any food goes into the truck, she ensures that the food is safe and well packed. Although judging by looks and smell is usually enough, Ms Tanaporn does sometimes have to taste to confirm. She has no qualms about doing so, and till date, there have been no cases of sickness due to food quality, she happily remarked.
Timely delivery of the collected food is also of the utmost importance and given Bangkok’s infamous traffic, can pose a huge challenge sometimes. However, so far, the traffic has not caused any food to be spoiled and thrown away. The lone ThaiHarvest/SOS food truck, also sometimes meets a gridlock as it collects leftover food items from various other outlets spread around Bangkok. The foundation plans on expanding its program by getting one more truck and also optimise delivery by using shorter and better-connected routes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
