UN World Environment Day.

Beat Plastic Pollution

UN World Environment Day.

UN World Environment Day is an annual event celebrated on June 5th to raise global awareness and encourage action for the protection of our environment. Each year, the event focuses on a specific environmental issue, and this year the theme is "Beat Plastic Pollution."

The Issues with plastic pollution.

One of the primary problems with plastic pollution is its sheer volume. Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste are generated, much of which ends up in landfills or finds its way into rivers, lakes, and oceans.

This accumulation of plastic debris poses a grave threat to marine life, as marine animals often mistake it for food or become entangled in it, leading to injury. Moreover, plastics do not biodegrade easily; instead, they break down into smaller fragments known as microplastics, which can persist in the environment for hundreds of years. These microplastics can enter the food chain, affecting not only marine organisms but also humans who consume seafood.

Plastic pollution also contributes to the degradation of ecosystems, polluting soils and disrupting natural processes. Addressing the problems of plastic pollution requires concerted efforts at various levels to reduce plastic consumption, and promote sustainable alternatives.

Why is plastic recycling so important for sustainability?

Plastic recycling plays a vital role in achieving sustainability goals and mitigating the environmental impact of plastic waste. Recycling plastics offers numerous benefits for our planet and future generations. Firstly, recycling conserves valuable resources. By recycling plastic materials, we reduce the demand for new plastics derived from fossil fuels, saving energy, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with their production.

Secondly, plastic recycling helps minimize landfill waste. Plastics can take hundreds of years to decompose naturally, occupying precious landfill space and releasing harmful substances into the environment during degradation. Recycling allows us to divert plastic waste from landfills, reducing environmental pollution and preserving land resources. Additionally, plastic recycling promotes the concept of a circular economy, where materials are reused, reducing the need for new production, and minimizing the environmental footprint. By closing the loop through recycling, we conserve resources, reduce waste, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

So, what can you do to help this world environment day?

1. Reduce your single use plastics! Staying hydrated is important, everybody knows that but is your hydration habit causing unnecessary waste? In the United Kingdom 38.5 million plastic bottles are used every day, just over half of those bottles make it to recycling while the other half, (16 million) are put into landfill or end up in our oceans. A reusable waterbottle that can be filled at fountains should help you cut down on plastic waste.
2. Prevent packaging waste! Another of the massive sources of plastic waste comes via our packaging. Particularly soft plastics. Avoiding this waste b purchasing items with less packaging for example loose fruits and vegetables rather than plastic.
3. 3. Be in the know! Being in the know regarding how to dispose of your plastic waste correctly will ensure as much of your waste as possible is recycled. If you are ever unsure of if a plastic item can be recycled, the information is available online within your universities waste A-Z. If you’re back home from university wondering how to check your local council’s disposal policy, you can check on the recycle now website. Here.