Ways to Make Our Environment Free From Plastic

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, about 12 percent of municipal solid waste comes from plastics. This is a stark comparison to just 50 years ago in 1960, when plastics were only one percent. Environmentalists are hoping to find a way reduce the amount of plastics through a variety of methods.

Recycle

• While recycling may not totally eradicate the environment from plastics, it does dramatically reduce the amount of plastics that get into the landfills. However, only about 7 percent of plastics in the United States are recycled, according to the EPA, despite municipal programs that encourage residents to recycle. If more plastics are recycled, then there will be less of a need to create new plastics. This is a step in making the environment free of plastics.

Using Recycled Material

• The carpet industry is the largest user of recycled plastics and manufacturers have been using these recyclables for many years, according to the American Chemistry Council. Not only can the plastics be used to make carpet backing, but it can also be used for the carpet fibers. In the future as science progresses, there may be many other uses for recycled plastics including coating for corrugated paper and to make waterproof products. Manufacturers are already using recycled plastics in some clothing, particularly in fleece jackets.

Everyday Tips

• There are many ways that people can help create a plastic-free environment at home and work. These include carrying lunch and other snacks to work in a bag instead of a plastic container, buying paper products instead of plastics and using glass dishes instead of plastic cups or bowls. Ask for paper bags at the supermarket. Encouraging family and friends to recycle and placing recycling bins specifically for plastics near the garbage can will also help reduce the number of plastics in the environment.

Plastic-Free Living

• While some may doubt that there could ever be a plastic-free environment, a London woman gave up plastics for six weeks during Lent, according to an article from The Guardian. She only ate in restaurants that did not serve food in plastic containers. She found a different kind of shampoo that was not in a plastic bottle. She even managed to find water in glass bottles and toothpaste in a metal tube. She found it was not easy to give up plastic but it could be done with proper planning and creative thinking.