Every year, 4.8 to 12.7 million metric tonnes of land-based plastic enter the ocean[1]. As a measure of comparison, that weight is equivalent to between 960 000 and 2 540 000 elephants[2] (more than there are currently left on Earth according to the World Wildlife Fund). Such quantities of plastic have catastrophic effects on the environment: their toxicity contaminates large bodies water, they are fatally ingested by marine wildlife and represent a new vehicle for pathogenic microorganisms to diffuse infectious diseases worldwide[3].
Every day, we are reminded that plastic waste is an environmental time bomb, our Instagram or Facebook feeds constantly exposing us to images of the plastic continents in our oceans or of turtles killed by plastic bags. Overwhelmed by this reality that is our present and future, telling ourselves that it is impossible to reverse the effects of the last hundred or so years of human pollution is an easy way to shift the blame away from our own contribution to the problem. While previous generations may have started mass plastic consumption and waste, we perpetuate the problem if we adopt a defeatist stance. As the ones condemned to living with the consequences of our ancestors’ actions AND our own, we should strive to minimize the blow rather than tell ourselves that, seeing as we’re already doomed, we might as well resign ourselves to our fate.
In that spirit of damage control, here are some nearly effortless habits to adopt that can reduce our daily consumption of plastic.
When eating out
· Next time you head to Starbucks to get that sweet, sweet caffeine so essential to surviving your next few hours of class, bring your reusable mug! While Starbucks and other companies have made recent progress in using eco-friendly materials for their coffee cups, nothing beats your brought-from-home reusable mug to save the planet as nothing ends up in the bin. As an additional plus, if you invest in an insulated mug, your coffee will stay piping hot for hours: a great incentive to help the environment ;)
· Always carry around a set of utensils (metal or bamboo) in your backpack or purse! That way, there’s no need to grab a handful next time you stop at your favourite fast food joint! It’ll even save you a few pennies at the Brebs caf: no need to spend those hard-earned nickels on a plastic fork that’ll end up in the garbage a few minutes later…
· When ordering your next fancy (and boozy) cocktail, don’t forget to tell the waiter, “No straw, please!” While straws may be enjoyable for sipping your drink, your pleasure may be dampened by the knowledge that your straw will take 100 to 500 years to decompose… If you’re extremely attached to straw-sipping, you can always try asking for a reusable straw! Made out of metal or bamboo, they are increasingly common in restaurants as the environmental movement gains in power!
When shopping
· Whether at a clothes store or at the supermarket, always carry around a reusable bag! Not only are they good for the planet, they also have much more personality potential than a bland IGA plastic bag. You can also use your reusable bag when shopping for fresh produce instead of using that flimsy plastic wrap omnipresent in the aisles (just make sure it doesn’t look like you’re shoplifting by placing your bags in a cart or a basket).
· Buy in bulk! Yes, we all love Costco, its large quantities and its tasting stations. What’s much less lovable about Costco (and all other similar stores) is the truly desolating amount of plastic packaging in its products. Next time you need cashew nuts, avoid the large plastic pot, and head out to Bulk Barn, Frenco or Loco instead, just a few of the bulk supermarkets you can find in Montreal! There are like-minded merchants that also offer cleaning and hygiene products in bulk like Marché Bleuet, Noblessence, and Lemieux.
Around the house:
· Whether it be for cleaning or for napkins, use cloth whenever possible! Not only are cloth napkins softer on the skin than paper, but they also reduce your garbage load- and, therefore, the amount of plastic trash bags you use.
· Try something new and make your own snacks! Baking a loaf of bread can be a great way to release stress, enjoy homemade deliciousness, look like a real FoodieTM on Instagram AND reduce plastic waste by not buying an overpackaged loaf at the supermarket! The same goes for muffins, granola, cookies, etc.
· Face masks are fun, but unfortunately an abundant source of plastic waste, so why not make your own skin care products? Tutorials for DIY face masks, exfoliants, deodorants, and other such products are abundant on social media: a quick Pinterest search will yield thousands of varieties. The best part is that making your own products allows you to customize them as you wish (just pick your favourite essential oil) and grant yourself the bliss of guilt-free self-care.
Most of these ideas are not revolutionary: most readers will have heard them before. Knowing about these practices isn’t enough: action is required. If you already have a reusable mug, challenge yourself to stop using plastic straws. Already make your own snacks? Try a DIY deodorant. And if you already do all the things on this list (kudos to you!), invite or challenge friends and family to do the same. One step at a time can go a long way, but, if we all take steps together, there’s no telling how far we can go.
[1] Quero, G. M., & Luna, G. M. (2017). Surfing and dining on the “plastisphere”: Microbial life on plastic marine debris. Advances in Oceanography & Limnology, 8(2), 199–207. https://doi.org/10.4081/aiol.2017.7211.
[2] Nganvongpanit, K., Siengdee, P., Buddhachat, K., Brown, J., Klinhom, S., Pitakarnnop, T., … Thitaram, C. (2017). Anatomy, histology and elemental profile of long bones and ribs of the Asian elephant ( Elephas maximus). Anatomical Science International, 92(4), 554–568. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-016-0361-y
[3] Quero, G. M., & Luna, G. M. (2017). Surfing and dining on the “plastisphere”: Microbial life on plastic marine debris. Advances in Oceanography & Limnology, 8(2), 199–207. https://doi.org/10.4081/aiol.2017.7211
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