7 Reasons to stop using single use plastics
- Matteo Pirelli
- Jan 18, 2023
- 3 min read
From October 2023, a range of single use plastics will be banned in the UK. Theresa Coffey, Environment Secretary, announced the ban on the Government website last week.
Products being banned include plastic plates, trays, bowls, cutlery, balloon sticks and some polystyrene cups and food containers.
This is a positive action from the Government as it will decrease plastic pollution. Here are seven reasons to stop using single use plastics.
1. They're made from fossil fuels
Fossil fuels are formed from the extraction of coal, oil and natural gas. Excessive use of these natural resources increase the chance of global warming. The origins of these came from plants and animals that existed millions of years ago.
The IPCC had found that emissions from fossil fuels are the main cause of global warming with 86% of global CO2 emissions coming from them.
2. It creates a huge carbon footprint
A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by human activity.
Single use plastics are a primary cause of an individual's carbon footprint. Despite our efforts to reduce our use of single use plastics, it's not enough to cut the climate crisis down.
3. Pollutes beaches and oceans
According to research from the World Economic Forum, plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic cutlery were the top 3 main items that were being dumped on beaches and oceans and continues to increase greenhouse gases.
Only 16% of single use plastics have been recycled while the rest are thrown out to sea or land.
4. Only a small percentage of single use plastics have been recycled
In the 1950s to 70s, a small of amount of plastic was produced; this changed in the 90s and plastic waste became unmanageable. Today 400 million tonnes of plastic waste is made every year.
From research at the UN, of seven billion tonnes of plastic waste generated, less than 10% is recycled.
The more that is not recycled, the more damage these plastics create that leads to global warming.
5. Causes cancer and hormone disruption
There are a lot of toxic chemicals that can disrupt your hormones and even give you cancer.
Phthalates links to hormone disruption and even harms the reproductive system in male infants.
BPA and BPS also disrupts hormones but can also produce breast cancer and even cause early puberty. And lastly, PVC, which is also linked to cancer.
Most of these toxic chemicals can be found in single use plastics. The next time you think of drinking from a plastic cup in the supermarket, consider the consequences.
6. Harmful to animals and birds
Every year, plastic kills 1 million sea birds and 100,000 sea mammals, turtles and fish. This is because the British public keeps on using single use plastics throughout the year.
These animals and fish could die, for example, while they're trapped in plastic or suffocating on plastic bags that were once used in a local store.
7. There are better alternatives
For example, you could use a reusable water bottle. And in family life try and use more sustainable alternatives such as bamboo toothbrushes, reusable containers and paper straws.
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