Solution for plastic waste, let's be the change!

As you are reading this, you already know that the world is facing a lot of problems because of its excessive dependence on plastic. Plastics are not biodegradable. Plastic can be recycled but single-use plastic which is used to make plastic bags are not profitable and hence many recyclers don't prefer to recycle that. And over that, some plastics cant be recycled like sheet molding compound(SMC). So, plastic is a major problem today, but in this blog, I am going to show some easy ways that you can implement as a consumer just to avoid the use of plastic. Companies like HUL, ITC are trying to find solutions for plastic packing, or at least they are saying that they are trying because all of their products have plastic packing be it their packed foods or their shampoo. How can we as consumers support these companies by changing our consumption patterns because after all, we have to save this Earth and other living forms like fishes who are dying in the sea because of excessive plastic.

First thing which you can do as a consumer is to try and buy as much quantity as possible. Let me explain to you by example: If you buy a 200 ml shampoo bottle twice a month instead of a 500ml shampoo bottle once, you are wasting more plastic because of more square area plastic used in 2 bottles of 200ml. And above that 500ml will be more in quantity so it will be cheaper. Hence, whenever possible buy bulk quantity. Now, going a bit deeper in the long term benefits of this. If you as a consumer start buying large quantity products and suppose your entire community starts doing that, the demand for smaller quantity packaging will go down eventually. And the company will also focus on producing larger quantity units. So, in the long term, this will eventually reduce the plastic consumption of the entire world. Also, disposing and recycling these large packages is easier. Hence, more plastic will go into recycling also. And this is not limited to your shampoo, think of buying large quantity chocolates, Maggi and almost everything. How much of plastic consumption can be reduced by just choosing a bigger packet size!! 

The second thing which I am suggesting is already being implemented by many people especially in India since the ban by the government on plastic bags provided by stores. Start using jute bags, cotton bags whenever you go out for shopping. Please take your own bags because the single-use plastic is used to manufacture those carry bags and once you throw that plastic bag in waste, it goes to sea killing that fish or choking the cattle on the farm. Retail chains have stopped giving plastic bags, but vegetable vendors and small mom and pop stores still give them just. So, to stop this chain always carry cloth bags.

These are some small changes which can reduce plastic consumption and everyone can start following them. So, go ahead and see if you can contribute your bit for making this world a better place!!