As I sip my tea from a bomb-proof stainless steel thermal mug, I ponder the pervasive presence of plastic in our lives.
A plastic single use cup may only be used for a brief period of time, its component parts will persist in the environment for hundreds or thousands of times longer.
My stainless steel mug could last hundreds of years and still be completely functional. And yet, plastic is our go-to substance for almost everything.
It's a small but telling example of how plastic has crept into every aspect of our daily lives, from the food we eat to the air we breathe to the furthest depths of the oceans.
We've been warned about the dangers of plastic for decades, but only recently have the inconvenient truths about its impact on our planet and our bodies begun to surface.
Micro and nano plastics have been found in human's brains, blood, and arteries, with potentially devastating consequences for our health.
And yet, despite the mounting evidence, we continue to produce and consume plastic at an alarming rate, with production set to increase threefold by 2050.
It's a stark reminder that our addiction to plastic is not just a matter of personal choice, but a symptom of a deeper disease – a disease of convenience, of consumption, and of a reckless disregard for the well-being of our planet and its inhabitants.
We've been sold a lie that plastic is cheap, convenient, and harmless, when in reality it's a costly toxic legacy that will haunt us for generations to come.
It also turns out that plastic is not as recyclable as advertised by manufacturers, and most plastic gets tossed carelessly onto the landscape, ends up in our oceans, or gets landfilled in a classic head in the sand move of denial.
So why aren't we applying the precautionary principle to plastic?
Why aren't we taking immediate action to reduce our use of plastic, to refuse it whenever possible, and to demand that those who produce and profit from it prove that it's safe for human consumption and the environment?
The answer, of course, is that there are powerful economic interests at play, and that the complexity of the issue has been used as a excuse for inaction.
But I say, no more. It's time for us to take a stand, to refuse to be complicit in the polyethylene plague that's turning Earth into a plastic planet.
We can start by making simple changes in our daily lives – choosing products with minimal packaging, opting for reusable bags and containers, and supporting businesses that prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility.
We can also support policies and initiatives that promote a circular economy, reduce waste, and encourage the use of biodegradable materials.
As individuals, we have the power to create change, to vote with our wallets and our choices. We can choose to live more simply, to consume less, and to cultivate a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
We can choose to see the beauty in a wooden spoon, a metal mug, or a handmade craft, rather than the cheap, disposable alternatives that line the shelves of our supermarkets.
In the end, it's not just about plastic – it's about the kind of world we want to create. A world that values convenience and profit above all else, or a world that prioritizes the well-being of our planet and its inhabitants. The choice is ours, and the time to act is now.
So let us rise up and create better ways of living. Let us refuse to be slaves to the polystyrene plague, and instead choose a path of simplicity, sustainability, and kindness.
We will create a better world that is worthy of our highest abilities and yearnings, a world that is no more complex than it needs to be, and because of that, is beautiful, rational, and free.
How are you battling plastic in your home? Share with us in a comment below.
Plastic is one of the biggest curses in this world. I refuse to buy any drinks in plastic bottles, but then we don't need them as we hate sugared soft drinks. We stick to coffee, tea and the occasional beer from a glass bottle. And water comes from the tap. A reusable metal water bottle is in my bag for on the way. In The Netherlands we now have a deposit on most plastic bottles (and soda/beer cans). This is good for keeping them polluting nature, but the systems fails as far from 100 % are returned, even though homeless and poor people collect them from the street and bins (myself included if they are somehow on my way and easy to pick up).
ReplyDeleteIt's harder when it comes to other packaging, mainly meat/cheese and bread. But the meat boxes can now go to a recycling center where they even pay me it bit of cash per kilo. They also accept milk and juice cartons. I pick up non deposit bottles from the street to add to the weight. This is nice, but our city claims to separate all this from general waste anyway. So the problem remains it should not be there in the first place but my problem is I can't (yet) afford shops where I can get the products in environmental friendly packaging. However meat and even cheese is absolutely not a daily buy! And stuff like pre cooked dishes and salads that come in those same plastic boxes I can't even afford, and it's so easy and healthier to make from scratch. For most other products in the supermarket I choose glass or metal packaging. No pre cut vegetables in plastic bags! And I don't pack the veggies in the bags they offer. Bread bags I reuse as trash bags. As I have an underground dump in front of my door I don't need large trash bags. And as it's only a few steps a lot goes in without even packing it up.
I'm far from living plastic free, but try my best to reduce and send what I have to the best possible destination for now.
You are a conscientious plastic user. Most people aren’t. If everyone followed your guidelines there would be less plastic used, and less plastic polluting our environment. You are right about the food - there is so much plastic in the packaging. That is how most of the plastic gets into our home. Cooking from scratch definitely reduces that packaging. Thank you for sharing your excellent tips.
Delete- Gregg
I have been trying to reduce my plastic consumption for a while now, but it is not easy and especially so if you have limited funds. I use re-usable bags most of the time when buying fruit, vegetables, and nuts etc., but usually they are more expensive than pre-packaged which is mostly in plastic. And some of those items you can never find not packaged in plastic, such as, berries or grapes. Of course, anything you buy frozen is in plastic. Sometimes I will purchase a "plastic recycling" box from TerraCycle when they have a sale to ease my guilt, but I know recycling really isn't the answer. It's looking like us humans are headed for a truly big nature smack down. There are so many planet wide issues now (climate change, soil erosion, depletion of water basins, plastic pollution, general air and land pollution, deforestation and I am sure there are others I am forgetting). Not to mention the rampant totalitarian politics (that has been gaining steam for a while now) which is not helping. So unless us humans wake up and change direction fast we are in for a very unpleasant future. Except for the wealthy of course, but they should be concerned too since some of them could end up on the chopping block like Marie Antoinette, or more recently, the United Healthcare CEO. I sincerely hope things turn around, but I don't have a lot of confidence at this point. Those out there living a simple lifestyle and having an abundance of self-sufficiency skills, however, will be much better off than the rest of the masses. I am not anywhere near close to that, but at least I am conscious of it now and that is mostly due to this blog site and the various websites, books and people that have been mentioned by you, Gregg, or by others in the comments. So a big thank you! Doreen Florida USA
ReplyDeleteDoreen,
DeleteWhat a boost to open my computer to see your comment. I am afraid that your assessment of things is very accurate, and you, like so many others these days, are benefiting from a consciousness-raising event. Fantastic - it needs to happen even more so that we reach a critical mass in order to overwhelm the forces aligned against us.
Once we can see what is happening, we can take immediate action to opt out as much as possible, and withdraw our support for those who wish to imprison us even more by their evil, self-serving plans. While they have us separated from each other in so many ways, we can all band together under the banner of simplicity and work toward a freer, more nature-aligned life for all.
It sure does seem that what is going on is greater than any nation, and that this is a global coordinated plan to take over everything everywhere. My fear is that we will play into their game and continue to allow ourselves to be divided and in turmoil, when our real adversaries are not each other, but those who wish to artificially break us down into small, powerless interest groups that won’t be able to get anything done.
Being awake to all of this - not woke - is the first step. Awake will bring us together in our similarities, while woke has blown everything up with its emphasis on identity politics and keeping us focused on our minor differences.
Thank you for your comment - your feedback is greatly appreciated. Together, we can overcome. I am confident in that I know that humanity has had to fight for freedom since forever, and we have done it successfully many times before throughout history. It looks like we are going to have to do it again, and the sooner the better. They need us way more than we need them. I refuse to comply. This is not a system I support with my dollars, my mind, or my soul.
- Gregg