Giving Compass' Take:
- Sophie Maes explains ten simple ways to reduce common single-use plastics to decrease pollution in the ocean.
- Reducing single-use plastic as an individual is difficult. How can you support systemic solutions to end plastic pollution?
- Read about addressing the global plastic waste crisis with a systems approach.
What is Giving Compass?
We connect donors to learning resources and ways to support community-led solutions. Learn more about us.
Unless we take major steps to reduce plastic pollution from production to consumption, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050. Trash islands are already occupying large swaths of sea in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean.
Producing single-use plastics requires massive amounts of fossil fuels, which pollute the atmosphere and fuel climate change. After their use, plastics continue to wreak havoc on the environment, posing a serious threat to ecosystems, marine creatures, and human livelihoods.
Plastic pollution also puts more than 700 marine animal species in harm's way. But marine creatures are not the only ones at risk of being harmed by or consuming plastic waste — humans also unknowingly digest microplastics, which have been found in table salt and poop.
The fight against plastic waste starts with individual action. These are some simple steps to seriously reduce your plastic use right now.
- Carry Reusable Shopping Bags
- Drink Your Coffee From a Reusable Cup
- Avoid Bottled Water
- Steer Clear of Plastic Straws (If You're Able)
- Switch to Plastic-Free Chewing Gum
- Shop at a Farmers Market
- Swap Out Bottles for Bars
- Avoid Buying Clothes Made With Plastic
- Compost Food Waste
- Stop Smoking — or At Least Use a Refillable Lighter
Read the full article about tips to reduce single-use plastic by Sophie Maes at Global Citizen.