What can we do as Individuals
We need to change the way we consume goods and services, and rethink consumerism as a society. Instead of thinking about a linear economy we need to start thinking about it in a circular way. A circular economy approach to plastics would see the world move away from single-use items towards reuse alternatives. Here are some cues on how to begin a new life-style by using less plastic.
Join in Clean Ups
There are nearly 400000 miles of coastline around the world, but not all of it is accessible for people but knowing that our plastic pollution hangs around our shorelines before it becomes microplastics or floats out of the open sea means beach clean ups go a long way preventing further damage.
By picking up abandoned plastic waste, we can reintroduce it in the recycle system.
You can join Plastic Sailors’ Clean Ups by signing in our Contact Form.
Follow the "6 Rs" Rule
The old Three Rs Rule from the seventies “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”, is still a valid solution but we have to update it by adding three new Rs: Refuse, Rethink and Repair. Every action has an impact on the environment. You can make an impact as an individual through:
- Rethink by placing value on secondhand goods
- Refuse single-use plastic and any plastic you don’t need
- Repair products in order to last, and therefore kept in circulation longer
- Reduce the amount of plastic that you use
- Reuse your current plastic products
- Recycle learn how to separate your plastic waste, in order to return it in the manufacur process
European Union against Microplastics
The EU is working on various solutions to try to limit the amount of microplastics in the sea. In September 2018 it was approved a series of measures to increase recycling rates of plastic waste in the EU, while in 2020 a ban on the addition of primary microplastics in cosmetics and detergent products was imposed.
The EU is leading the way by setting an ambitious target: make all plastic packaging fully recyclable by 2030.