So I’m sure we know by now that plastic is bad for the environment. But do you know its exact impacts? Do you know that it has the power to influence your health, hormones, & foods supply?
Most importantly, do you know what actually needs to be done in order to mitigate plastic’s potentially harmful effects?
These are the top three reasons (of many) of why you should completely ditch plastic.
Microplastics
A more recent phenomenon within the holistic wellness community: microplastics. They are everywhere.
Microplastics are tiny particles of plastics less than 5mm in length.
A recent study found that 93% of plastic bottled water show signs of contamination.
Water consumed in plastic bottles, through plastic straws, or in plastic cups are often contaminated with these toxic little particles.
Microplastics can be found in any substance packaged in plastic, from supplements, to skincare and personal hygiene products.
While the research on this is limited at this time, the early studies have been alarming.
Oceans
Marine life is under attack from both plastics and microplastics.
It is no shock that bottles, bags, and other plastic substances end up in oceans and covering beaches. But did you know that the microplastics mentioned above are killing marine animals.
They are commonly mistaken for food by these animals, choking them. These particles also attach themselves to the lungs and intestines of marine animals, slowly intoxicating and killing them.
If we can anything about the underwater ecosystems (which you should if you enjoy salmon, as I do), then we must make some lifestyle changes. We need to change what we bring into our homes and lives, because the next fact will disturb you.
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Only 5-35% of Recycled Plastic is Actually Recycled
I’m sure we think we are doing a good for the common welfare for ourselves and our neighbors when we throw away that plastic water bottle in the “Recycling Bin” as opposed to the trashcan.
But did you know that only 5-35% of this recycled plastic is actually recycled (depending on the statistic).
So much plastic is recycled on an annual basis, recycling plants cannot keep up. They can’t recycle all of the plastic, so the remaining plastic ends up in landfills anyways.
This is why we must change our lifestyles and stop buying unnecessary plastic.
We need to massively decrease the demand for plastic, which will eventually reduce the production of it. This is playing the long-game, but it is essential for a long-lasting solution.
I’ll be the first to tell you that paper straw are terrible and ruin your iced latte, but there are some good alternative out there. You just have to look.
What to Do
Plastic isn’t good for anyone. It disrupts your health and wellbeing, and it intoxicates the world in which we live.
If we want to thrive as healthy human beings, we must take into consideration the substances we use and bring into our homes, our environments.
Ditching plastic is a great step to minimizing the level of toxicity in your personal environment, your home, and the environment at large.
I am a big believer that to create real change socially or on a large scale, you must first yourself and your own practices. Before ridiculing everyone else, we must first make changes that align with our beliefs and concerns.
I hope you’ll take this into account with me and look to our own inadequacies and flaws. Only then will it be possible to effectively change large scale issues. We must walk the walk, rather than just talk the talk.
