7 Ways To Reduce Your Plastic Usage
Plastic waste has become a massive environmental problem globally. From plastic bags, straws, water bottles, food containers, and packaging materials, the world produces a staggering amount of plastic waste every day. In our guide, we’ll walk you through how to reduce your plastic usage and waste to do your bit for the environment!
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Why Do We Need To Reduce Plastic Usage?
Although we focus on renewable energy solutions such as solar energy and wind power, plastic waste has become a major issue when it comes to looking after our environment. From single-use plastic packaging to throwing everything away to be sent to landfills, plastic waste is something we all need to work together to stop, damaging wildlife and causing other ecological problems.
What Impact Does Plastic Have on the Planet?
Plastic pollution has a dramatically negative impact on the planet. Around 12 million tonnes of plastic ends up in the oceans each year making up up to 80% of all debris from the sea. As well as this, it is very carbon intensive to produce, responsible for 2.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions for every tonne of plastic produced. Not only this, but plastics infiltrate into the marine life and the seafood we eat, entering into our bodies raising the risk of cancer.
What are microplastics? Microplastics are tiny fragments of plastic that come from larger plastic products. Microplastics are a problem since they can be easily absorbed into seafood and the environment causing them to build up and putting your health at risk. Microplastics can take years to break down so it’s vital to do something about them as soon as possible.
What Are the Main Impacts from Plastic in the Environment?
There are numerous impacts that plastic has on the environment, but in general, here are the main risks we need to protect against when it comes to plastic pollution:
- Damage to Marine Biodiversity
Plastic waste in the ocean harms marine life by entangling or choking animals. Sea turtles, whales, and birds are among the animals that are most affected by plastic waste in the ocean. Plastic debris is often mistaken for food and dead sea life is often found with plastics in their stomachs. - River Pollution
Plastic waste that ends up in rivers and streams not only harms wildlife but also pollutes the water we drink. The chemicals in plastic can be absorbed into the water and contaminate it and can be just as damaging as fracking. Plastic waste can also clog waterways, leading to flooding and other environmental problems. - Landfill Overload
Plastic waste takes hundreds of years to break down, and it takes up a lot of space in landfills. When plastic waste is not recycled, it ends up in landfills, where it contributes to landfill overload. This can lead to the harmful chemicals being released into the environment, affecting the soil and water. - Increased Carbon Emissions
The production and disposal of plastic contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Plastic manufacture relies on burning fossil fuels, and the transportation and disposal of plastic waste also require significant energy. This leads to an increase in carbon emissions that are contributing to climate change.
Check Out Our Carbon Emission Guide!
How Much Plastic Do We Produce in Ireland?
Knowing how to put together a strong solution for dealing with plastic pollution relies on knowing how bad the problem is at home. Ireland is still far behind solving its plastic pollution problem so there’s lots we still need to do to stop polluting our environment!
How Much Plastic Waste Do We Produce As a Country?
Ireland was responsible for 61.51 kilograms of plastic per capita in 2020 which was by far the highest out of the other EU nations. According to Statista, Ireland’s plastic waste recycling rate dropped from 39.4% to 27.5% meaning that less plastic was being reused and repurposed for other uses.
One of the biggest parts of Ireland’s plastic waste is its packaging waste of which 1.12 million tonnes was produced in 2020 making over 60% of all plastic waste produced. This accounted for around 27% of all the waste produced in Ireland according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Here’s a graph showing the types of waste in Ireland:
Source: EPA
Last Updated: 20/02/2023
What’s Ireland Doing About Plastic Waste?
Despite our green energy commitments to reduce our carbon footprint as part of the Paris Agreement, it’s quite clear Ireland is lagging behind when it comes down to dealing with the amount of plastic waste we produce. In 2020, the Irish government published its Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy 2020-2025 to help deal with the problem of what in general in Ireland, looking to transition fully to a circular economy. In the Action Plan, it outlines several steps when it comes the plastic pollution problems:
Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy 2020-2025:
- Creating a deposit and return scheme for bottles and tins.
- Banning single plastics such as: cotton buds, cutlery, plates, stirrers, chopsticks, straws, polystyrene containers and oxo-degradable plastic products by 2021.
- Significantly reducing all single-use plastic products by 2026.
- Making all packaging recyclable by 2030.
7 Ways To Reduce Our Plastic Usage
So in what ways can we reduce our plastic usage to help us meet our targets as a country? There’s lot of changes in our habits that will help up reduce our overall plastic waste and pollution:
- Bring Your Own Shopping Bags
Plastic bags are a significant source of plastic waste, and they take hundreds of years to break down. They have a devastating impact on the environment, causing countless problems for wildlife and sealife. Bringing your own shopping bag when you go shopping will not only help the environment, but you’ll also be able to save money on having to pay for a bag. - Say No To Plastic Straws
Plastic straws are one of the most commonly found plastic items in the ocean, and they pose a real threat to marine life. You can reduce your plastic usage by saying no to plastic straws - especially at home - and opting for alternatives like metal, glass, or bamboo straws. These can also be washed and are reusable making plastic straws redundant. - Choose Reusable Water Bottles
Single-use plastic water bottles leach harmful chemicals into our waterways. Choosing a reusable water bottle is a practical way to reduce your plastic usage and help protect your health. - Bring Your Own Tupperware
Many restaurant places use plastic containers for you to take your food away, which contributes to the plastic waste problem. By bringing your containers, you can avoid using single-use plastic containers and help reduce your plastic usage as well as be more convenient. - Avoid Single-Use Plastic Cutlery
Plastic cutlery is another significant source of plastic waste, and it can also take centuries for it to break down properly. You can reduce your plastic usage by carrying your cutlery or opting for biodegradable alternatives that are becoming more and more common. - Choose Products with Little to No Packaging
Especially in the supermarkets, many products come in excessive packaging, which contributes to the plastic waste problem. For example, when it comes to fruit and vegetables, many of us use single-use plastic bags instead of bringing our own reusable bags. With other products, try to select items made of recyclable materials such as cardboard to prevent further plastic waste. - Recycle
Recycling is a practical way to reduce plastic waste and conserve natural resources. By recycling plastic products, you can help reduce the need for new plastic production and minimise the environmental impact of plastic waste. Make sure to sort separate out your recycling to make sure your plastic is going to the right places.
