Since using plastics seems to be part of everyone’s lifestyle, it can be hard to get out of this habit. However, there are easy, simple, and even fun ways to kick this habit to reduce pollution, protect the environment and enjoy more nature-related activities in the process.
Here are some of the best tips to reduce plastic:
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Refuse plastic
The best way to avoid contributing to plastic pollution is to stop buying and using plastic
products. Here are some simple techniques to do this:
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Buy some reusable produce bags and bring them wherever you go grocery shopping or buy something. By doing so, you will keep a lot of plastic from going into landfills.
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If you are fond of food takeaways and deliveries, tell the staff that they don’t need to include disposable plastic cutlery. This will help cut down your plastic footprint as well.
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Purchase one or two reusable water bottles and cups. Have the barista or restaurant staff fill it with your beverage so that they won’t have to give you a plastic or Styrofoam cup.
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Buy a stainless steel metal straw which you can bring anywhere and use repeatedly since it is washable. With this item, you can sip your favourite drink at your leisure yet avoid contributing to more plastic waste.
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Reduce plastic use as a team
Create more impact in cutting down plastic pollution by being an advocate of this movement.
Start by urging your family to avoid buying and using single-use plastic items. Encourage them
to reuse these products as well. Teach them ways to upcycle or organise family nights where
everyone can work on their own recycling projects.
Go around the neighbourhood with your classmates, friends, or co-workers to collect single-use
plastic items. Work with them to find ways to reuse and recycle these products to further
reduce the plastic waste that will go to landfills.
By being an advocate of better plastic waste management, you can protect the ocean and marine life, including those that can be found in the Umm Al Quwain wetlands, from the harsh effects of pollution.
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Reuse plastic
There are plenty of single-use plastic items that you can reuse not just once but over and over
again.
Here are some simple and easy ideas:
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Resealable bags as freezer bags. You can use them for storing meat, leftover vegetables, and loaves of bread.
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Plastic clamshells as lunch containers. Wash the container and use it as a cold lunch or snack box to bring to work.
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Plastic bottles and detergent or liquid soap dispensers. Refill large shampoo and other plastic bottles with liquid soap and detergent when you go to a bulk grocery store.
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Plastic tubs as storage containers. After washing yogurt tubs and margarine containers, use them to store leftover food or loose household items such as tacks and paper clips.
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Recycle plastic
Prevent more waste from going to the landfill by reusing and re-purposing plastic products you
have at home. Here are some tips for doing so:
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Cut off the bottom part of two-litre bottles to turn them into small planters.
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Use large plastic containers with lids to store pet food.
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Reuse empty coffee creamer containers for snack storage.
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Turn plastic water bottles into penholders.
You can also turn plastic products into works of art. A good example of these includes the
National Geographic Abu Dhabi’s Planet or Plastic campaign where one artist from each of the
12 countries dumping the most plastic into the ocean yearly were asked to “contribute a striking
new calendar to raise awareness of ocean pollution.”
In Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue, you will find cafes, furniture galleries and art spaces that revolve
around the theme and concept of upcycling.
With an active imagination, creativity, and hard work, you can create something great or
functional or even both with plastics headed to the trash.
Additionally, ask your neighbours or friends for single-use plastic items that they have at home.
Collect and repurpose these as well. You have the option of giving them the upcycled product
back or of gifting them to others.
You can also teach your neighbours or friends how to repurpose plastic products so that fewer
waste goes into the landfill.
Why Cut Down on Plastics?
Eight million metric tons of plastics end up in the ocean each year, a study published by the AAAS Science journal reports. This waste is added to the 150 million metric tons already present in various bodies of water around the world.
Most people’s concern about plastic pollution in the ocean is that it makes the water unappealing and unhealthy for swimming, diving, and other water and activities. However, this environmental problem has more significant consequences that extend to land and sea creatures and affects the environment, global economies, livelihoods, health and society as a whole.
Of course, marine wildlife suffers the most from plastic pollution. Various species get entangled, suffocate or ingest marine litter or marine debris which may cause death. If they don’t die, they suffer from injuries or disease affecting their ability to swim and survive.
Unfortunately, the impact of plastic waste does not stop there. We are also victims of our own actions. For example, the chemicals used in the production of plastic can be found in tap water and sea salt which we use daily. The impact of plastic also affects us through our consumption of fish species that may have ingested plastic as well.
When the human body absorbs large quantities of these carcinogenic substances, it can affect the normal functioning of the endocrine system, causing various types of neurological, developmental, reproductive, and immune disorders.
Since fish and other seafood live in polluted waters, the plastic chemicals enter and stick to their bodies. Consuming these contaminated foods is considered a health hazard, even if further studies are needed to find out the exact consequences.
Because of these alarming effects, we need to take action to reduce our plastic consumption and help save the ocean and the rest of the environment.
If you are looking for more ideas on how to reduce plastic waste and help the environment, visit our Activities page.