What is International Plastic Free Day?
International Plastic Free Day was founded by Free The Ocean as an initiative to stop plastic polluting our oceans.
You might think do we really need another plastic-free day? Well, I agree we really shouldn't, but as this problem is so massive more awareness can't be bad.
Read: What is World Clean Up Day?
This plastic-free initiative is observed on May 25th and urges individuals to take a stand against single-use plastic for one day.
It encourages people to refrain from using plastic bottles, take-out food containers, utensils, bags, and wrappers.
Looking to take your kitchen and home in a plastic-free direction?
The staggering statistics surrounding plastic production are alarming. Annually, over 380 million tons of plastic are manufactured, with half of it being designed for single-use purposes and plastic pollution looks to be only getting worse.
Shockingly, a mere 9% of all plastic is recycled, leading to a significant accumulation of plastic waste in our communities.
Read: What is Wishcycling?
This waste finds its way into landfills, pollutes our oceans, and jeopardizes the delicate balance of our ecosystems.
What is International Plastic Free Bag Day?
International Plastic Bag Free Day, celebrated on July 3rd, is a global movement aimed at eliminating the use of plastic bags.
While plastic bags may appear convenient for grocery shopping and everyday tasks, they pose a severe threat to the environment.
These seemingly harmless, single-use bags have a detrimental impact on our environment and countless animal species.
Shockingly, the world consumes a staggering 2 million plastic bags every single minute. Sadly, approximately one-third of plastic waste finds its way into our ecosystems, wreaking havoc on our oceans and marine life.
It's estimated that a mind-boggling 5 to 12 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans annually, leading to the contamination of 88% of marine species, according to WWF.
The disintegration process of a single plastic bag can take up to 500 years, contributing significantly to the buildup of waste in landfills and the pollution of waterways.
See microplastics for more shocking news about what this can do to your health.
By highlighting the detrimental impact of plastic bags and encouraging individuals to seek alternative options, Plastic Bag Free Day seeks to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices.
This initiative prompts communities worldwide to adopt reusable bags made of eco-friendly materials such as cotton or canvas, reducing our reliance on plastic and mitigating its harmful consequences on our planet.
Fortunately, numerous plastic-free alternatives and zero waste swaps to single-use plastic bags already exist not to mention all the great plastic-free products that Gaia Guy offers.
So let's remember the three R's: REDUCE, REUSE, and then, RECYCLE or maybe we need 8 Rs now! By incorporating these principles into our daily lives and making conscious choices, we can tackle the plastic problem in style.
Let's embrace the opportunity to make a difference, not just on International Plastic Bag Free Day but #everydamnday!
