Plastic Ban 2020 is Just What We Need
Most people are not aware of how much plastic they use on a daily basis. Plastic is everywhere; in packaging for products we buy, covering meat, and shopping bags. Convenience has become such a huge part of our lives we don’t even think about the impact it has on the environment. Humans are addicted to the convenience of single-use plastics. From straws, cutlery, and your take-out coffee and drink cups, it’s everywhere. I am personally okay with having some plastic in my life such as BPA-free cups and containers. They are easy to clean, most are lightweight and they tend to last a really long time. What I am not okay with is plastic products that are used once and thrown away immediately after.
The FACTS About Single-Use Plastics:
Did you know that plastic isn’t actually disposable? When you throw away a single-use item it exists in our environment for hundreds of years. It breaks down eventually to small particles that end up in our oceans, soil, and many other places it shouldn’t be.
- Humans buy about 1,000,000 plastic bottles per minute in total. Only about 23% are recycled within the U.S.
- It is estimated that 4 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide annually. Only 1% are returned for recycling.
- Half a million straws are used in the world every day.
- A full 32% of the 78 million tons of plastic packaging produced annually is left to flow into our oceans; the equivalent of pouring one garbage truck of plastic into the ocean every minute.
The facts are staggering. Now imagine all of that going into the ocean, our soil, and our landfills. While these facts are from the U.S. Think about our inefficient landfill and non-existent recycling, just imagine what the numbers are for The Bahamas.
Related: The Steps I Am Taking to Quit Single Use Plastics
Not having the convenience of disposable plastic items will take some adjustment and getting used to. In the long run though; I think it will prove to be very beneficial to our environment and country as a whole.
What are your thoughts on The Bahamas Governments’ ban of single-use plastics? Are you ready for the ban coming January 2020?
Are you taking any steps to reduce your use of single-use plastics? Let me know in the comments.
Facts are taken from www.earthday.org
3 Comments
Gail
These things are not made in the Bahamas and so the increase in cost that the business people will incur will be passed onto the customers but the environment will benefit.
Ashley Bethel
I think the cost will eventually balance itself out. Businesses should try to find creative ways to reduce waste. A number of places in the U.S. allow the use of your own containers and cups in restaurants for carry out. This could be an option to explore for certain businesses.
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