Plastic pollution is rising at an alarming pace and if not checked immediately it may destroy all life forms on earth. We are not exaggerating. In fact according to experts, if the plastic pollution continues at the same pace as it is today then the earth may get drowned by it in the next couple of decades. But let us not blame plastic. It is we, the consumers, are responsible. Plastic as a material is not dangerous if used sensibly and responsibly. In fact since plastic has come into use some 60/70 years back it has not only made human life more convenient and more comfortable but also helped in conserving the environment by substituting materials like wood and ivory. But somewhere along the way we have become reckless and irresponsible. We humans, as a society, started using plastics unmindful of its effects on nature, flora and fauna. Results are everywhere to see. Choked drains in cities to dead animals/ocean-mammals with tons of plastic in their bellies. According to one estimate it has even entered the food chain and now humans consume a fair amount of microplastics each day. Ill effects of the same are not clear yet.
Let us not demonise plastic. It has it's utility. By learning to use it responsibly, we believe, we can make best use of this wonder material without creating large scale pollution. Our philosophy in this regard is simple. Either we should reject/refuse goods made of it or when we use them, we should use them in such a way that we keep using them as long as possible. This can be achieved when we become a 'responsible consumer'.
Use other eco friendly material wherever it is possible
(But do not over do it).
about how they can redesign their products so as to reduce plastic pollution (Show some tenacity). Going forward we want to develop a platform for it.
to find whether you can make any amendments so that you can reduce your plastic-foot-prints
Clothes made of synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon and acrylic contribute substantially towards plastic pollution (Most people are not aware of it). Shift to natural fibres as much as possible. By doing so you actually help some artisans too.
Avoid the plastics that neither can be reused nor can be recycled. Most of them fall under category/type '7'.
Don't throw it into the dustbin recklessly. The least one can do is cleaning it off foreign material like food particles before disposing so that the chances of it going to landfill decreases.
Recycling and incineration should be last resort, in the same order. Becoming aware of it will bring in certain discipline.
Know that each time plastic material is recycled it is downcycled. Recycled plastic is always inferior to virgin plastic.
Know that plastic once produced it remains so on the earth almost eternally. We haven't discovered yet to compost plastics in any meaningful sense.
Know that plastics contain toxic and harmful chemicals. When disposed irresponsibly these chemicals seep into the environment.