It takes 450 years for a plastic bag to decompose on its own. And even then it is not completely degraded; the microparticles are still there. This long period of time means that all the plastic that has ever been produced in the world still exists, unless it has been incinerated.
Plastic in the ocean, plastic in the rivers, plastic in nature. What sounds so tragic is reality and anyone who still turns a blind eye to it is making a mistake. Alongside CO2 emissions, plastic is another curse of our time, but one that can be tackled in a smart way. Finally, society is becoming increasingly aware of the need to avoid plastic and the harmful consequences that microplastics in particular can have.
7 ways to avoid plastic
There are more and more ways to avoid plastic and many manufacturers are looking for alternatives to the petroleum-based product that is (still) found in so many places in our everyday lives. You can use less plastic with little effort and thus actively contribute to environmental protection. There are many possibilities, these are 7 of them:
1. cloth bag instead of plastic bag
The consumption of plastic bags in Switzerland has fallen significantly in recent years. Nevertheless, they continue to be used. Many companies are already only issuing them for a fee. If you take your own bag with you when you go shopping, you no longer need plastic bags. Cloth bags are available in all sizes and can be reused for many years. Even if they should tear, you can simply sew them up.
2. own drinking bottle
The tap water in Switzerland is so good that it can be drunk straight from the tap everywhere without hesitation. With your own drinking bottle, it is therefore possible to fill up with water and get by without a PET bottle. This not only saves plastic, but also money.
3. online instead of offline
Even though in many areas nothing beats the live experience, some events are often quite harmful to the environment. At concerts and in stadiums, drinks are only available in plastic cups and at city festivals a lot of food is sold “to go” in plastic trays and with disposable cutlery. Even a casino night with friends can’t be done without plastic in the form of chips, straws in drinks or plastic credit cards. So every now and then it can be nice to simply enjoy the peace and quiet at home and follow the events online. Sports, for example, can be followed wonderfully on the screen and a visit to a selected online casino, where you can also pay with Swiss francs, is also fun from your home office.
4. own crockery and cutlery
As already mentioned, disposable cutlery is a big problem. Plastic cups and straws do the rest. It’s best to always have your own glass or metal straw with you, as well as a fork, knife and spoon. So you are well prepared for every event. There are even lots of really pretty cases for this equipment so that they look good in your bag and can be stowed away well even when used.
5. buy unpackaged food
There are now unpackaged food stores in many large cities. There you can get everything you need every day without any packaging. You can bring your own boxes and pack the quantities you need directly. If you live in the countryside and like to buy directly from the producer or in a small farm store, you will sometimes also have the opportunity to buy cheese, fruit and vegetables without packaging. There is also a lot that is available unpackaged at markets – it is often the large supermarkets that have the most plastic.
6. solid shampoo and solid soap
Instead of shampoo bottles, shower gels and soap from plastic dispensers, you can switch to solid alternatives. A bar of soap cleans your hands just as well as the liquid version. Solid shampoos and shower gels not only last much longer than their plastic bottle counterparts, but have even more advantages. They are often ecologically produced, much more space-saving and can be placed on a small soap bench in your shower. Gone are the days when countless different plastic bottles adorned your bathroom – from now on there are only waste-free options.
7. cook yourself instead of ready meals
Ready meals are unhealthy and also produce a lot of waste. If you cook your own food fresh, you know what’s in it and can also avoid unnecessary packaging. You can also prepare your own snacks for in-between meals and use them to avoid cravings when you would normally buy a chocolate bar wrapped in plastic.