The production and disposal of plastic food packaging is energy-intensive and leads to polluted air, soil, and water resources. And once plastics are in circulation, they accumulate in oceans, harming marine life, and break down into smaller microplastics that make their way into food and beverages. Currently, the world’s oceans are polluted by more than 5 trillion plastic pieces, collectively weighing over 250,000 tons. And of the 30 million tons of plastic Americans throw away annually, only 8 percent is recycled, according to the Plastic Pollution Coalition.

And COVID-19 is likely spurring an increase in single-use plastics, according to a recent paper from the American Chemical Society. Demand is expected to rise by as much as 14 percent in the United States, due in large part to more food delivery, takeout, and pre-packaged grocery products meant to limit the spread of the virus.

But despite a pandemic, we can limit our use of single-use plastics. Food Tank is excited to highlight 6 easy ways you rethink your plastic packaging use—starting right now.

  1. Purchasing products using innovative plastic replacement technologies
  2. Drinking tap water instead of buying plastic bottles
  3. Trying to avoid disposable plastic utensils
  4. Buying in bulk
  5. Choosing personal care products without microplastics
  6. Publicly demonstrating your commitment to cutting down your plastic footprint

Read the full article about plastic pollution by Danielle Nierenberg at Food Tank.