Hey there! The average piece of single-use plastic is used for about 12 minutes before it gets discarded and can take more than 500 years to degrade in landfill.
32% of the 78 million tons of plastic packaging produced annually is left to flow into our oceans; the equivalent of pouring one rubbish truck of plastic into the ocean every minute (Not fun for the fish!).
So: let’s talk about how to dispose of soft plastics in a way that’s good for our planet! Here are some easy steps you can follow:
- First of all: DO NOT USE soft plastic and REFUSE TO BUY anything that is wrapped in soft plastic.
- Alternative: Use washable net bags to get your fruit and veggies: even the new green plastic bags are not so good to use.
- Reuse: Instead of throwing away soft plastics like bags and wrappers, think about how you can use them again. Maybe you can use them for storage or as trash can liners. Get creative!
- Recycle: Check if your local council accepts soft plastics. Some places have special bins or instructions for recycling them. Give it a try!
- Separate: If your recycling program doesn’t take soft plastics, don’t mix them with other recyclables. Keep them separate to make it easier for future recycling initiatives.
- Store Drop-Off: Many stores used to have drop-off points where you can bring your clean and dry soft plastics. Let’s hope that this will come back, soon.
- Reduce Usage: The best way to tackle soft plastic waste is to use less of it. Try using reusable bags, wraps, or containers instead.
By following these simple tips, we can all make a huge difference in reducing plastic waste and protecting our environment. Let’s work together to save Mother Earth and keep our planet clean and green!
