5 Ways to Reduce Plastic Pollution

5 Ways to Reduce Plastic Pollution

Today’s blog post focuses on one of the most challenging environmental problems: plastic in the ocean. According to a WWF estimate, 570,000 tons of plastic are poured into the Mediterranean Sea every year, the equivalent of about 33,800 bottles a minute. But not only that, in the same time interval, the equivalent of an entire truck load of polluting plastics ends up in our oceans. The risk is that by 2050 waters and seabed will contain more plastic than fish.

It is precisely for this reason that we want to share 5 tips on how to reduce plastic pollution. Small individual actions can really make a difference.



Polluting Plastic: Which are the most Harmful Polymers?

To understand how to combat this type of pollution, we must know our enemy. Plastics are many and different from each other. Although all of them are harmful to the environment, some are more harmful than others.

But Why is Plastic so Polluting?

The answer is simple. Thanks to numerous researches and publications, it is now known that plastics take several centuries to decompose. This means that products made of plastic that are not properly disposed of remain within the ecosystem for hundreds of years, causing immense environmental damage.

Each polymer takes a different amount of time to completely disintegrate, which is why it is possible to distinguish between more and less polluting plastics.

Among the most harmful plastics to the environment are:

  • polyethylene shopping bags;
  • plastic bottles;
  • disposable plastic in general (plates, glasses, straws, etc).

As you can understand, the most polluting plastic comes from everyday objects that have a very low average usage time.

These products, in addition to polluting, are a great risk to the health of humans and wildlife, especially marine life. There are many cases in which turtles have eaten shopping bags mistaking them for jellyfish, and suffocate, or have become stuck in the plastic packaging of cans, suffering from severe malformations. Every year, each of us takes about 250 grams of plastic derived from the microplastics contained in our food.

To prevent these and other problems, we need to start changing our habits starting with small daily gestures. So here are 5 practical tips on how to reduce the use of plastic in our everyday life.

5 Tips to Reduce Plastic Pollution

1. Avoid the use of disposable plastic
2. Don't pollute by abandoning your waste
3. Separate and recycle
4. Buy bulk products and sustainable brands
5. Raise awareness

Avoid the Use of Disposable Plastic

Let's start with something trivial and perhaps obvious, but essential to start preserving our ecosystem: stop using disposable products. How? Simple!

  • Use reusable grocery bags, whether they are made of fabric, canvas or any other material. As we have seen, polyethylene bags are among the major culprits of environmental pollution.
  • Opt for reusable water bottles rather than plastic ones; a beautiful and ecological solution that helps counteract the enormous dispersion of water bottles in the seas.
  • Do not use single-use straws, plates, cutlery and plastic cups. Instead, use ones that are produced with alternative materials, such as paper, glass or stainless steel.

Don't Pollute by Abandoning your Waste

Whatever you do or wherever you go, always be very careful not to leave your waste lying around (not even by accident). If you are planning to have a picnic or a trip out of town, equip yourself with waste containers in case there are no garbage bins nearby.

This practice favors the reduction of the runoff of polluting plastic into the oceans. You can combine it with healthy ecological walks to collect waste abandoned on the beach or in nature by other people.

Separate and Recycle

Correct separation of recyclable materials is essential. Anything that is not properly sorted or is not recyclable is very likely to end up polluting our oceans. In order not to be mistaken, follow your municipality's instructions when separating waste.

If you can't help but use plastic products, opt for recyclable and recycled items.

Buy Bulk Products and Sustainable Brands

Preferring the purchase of bulk products, including cereal or detergents on tap and paper wrappers is a great way to reduce the use of plastic packaging that is often difficult to recycle.

Furthermore, choosing products from sustainable and reliable brands that are able to guarantee good quality and low environmental impact is the ideal choice.

Raise Awareness

After adopting these new habits, commit to sensitizing your friends and family by inviting them to do the same. If everyone made an effort to limit their plastic consumption and adopted alternative and sustainable solutions, we would certainly be living on a better planet.

Help us spread these 5 good practices, share the article and let's fight together to protect the environment.

How to Reduce Pollution and the Use of Polluting Plastic: Conclusion

Sustainability is an increasingly important topic for our survival and the entire planet. Each of us is, in their own way, responsible for what happens every day. It is precisely for this reason that we must commit to changing our habits to make our life as sustainable as possible.

At KAMPOS, we are committed to being a responsible and sustainable brand. Discover our sustainable range of swimwear and clothing by clicking here.

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