Plastic waste lasts forever. Over 400 million tons of plastic waste is generated worldwide in a single year, and while it can take up to 500 years for plastics to break down, it only breaks into smaller pieces and never disappears.
By adopting small, mindful changes in our daily lives, we can collectively reduce the demand for plastics and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable planet. Here are five simple ways that you can make a difference.
1. Ditch Single-Use-Plastics
Refusing single-use-plastics such as plastic bags, water bottles, bubble tea (‘jugo’) cups, straws disposable cups can be one of the most effective ways that individuals help reduce plastic waste generation. These everyday items can be replaced with reusable bags, your very own personal drink cups and metal straws. Often disposable coffee cups and the non-woven ‘cloth’ bags that you get from shops have plastic in them. And when you really think about it, sometimes you don’t even need a straw with your drink! So, opt to slowly incorporate durable and reusable products in your everyday life as much as possible.
Reusable containers are so versatile with so many different ways you can use them. Instead of buying pre-packaged flour, sugar, and rice you can buy from the bulk section and put it in your own reusable containers. Reusable containers can also be handy when buying some ‘hedhikaa’ (short eats) for evening tea, or when picking up a take-away snack for your kid to take to school. It may take some time to form the habit of taking reusable containers with you everywhere you go. But when you start getting used to it, it will be truly rewarding.
2. Bring your own reusable containers
Reusable containers are so versatile with so many different ways you can use them. Instead of buying pre-packaged flour, sugar, and rice you can buy from the bulk section and put it in your own reusable containers. Reusable containers can also be handy when buying some ‘hedhikaa’ (short eats) for evening tea, or when picking up a take-away snack for your kid to take to school. It may take some time to form the habit of taking reusable containers with you everywhere you go. But when you start getting used to it, it will be truly rewarding.
3. Choose local sustainable products
In an island like Kulhudhuffushi where there are so many creative crafters, you have a variety of local products that are eco friendly and sustainable to choose over products that are plastic or come in plastic packaging. You could choose to buy from local crafters who make wooden kitchen utensils like ‘dheyfaiy’ (spatula) and ‘undhulhi’ (ladle), or metal workers who make ‘thaas’ (woks/ pots). Let’s help out a local business while making a more eco conscious choice!
4. Make conscious clothing choices
Fast fashion generates tons of waste every year, with synthetic fabric used to make cheap clothes being a major contributor to microplastic pollution. Invest in clothes that are long lasting and be thrifty! Use old fabric to make something new. If you grow out of your clothes or want a little change, why not swap clothes among your friends and family. And if you really want to buy new clothes, check what material it is made out of – organic or recycled cotton and linen are some examples of plastic free fabric.
5. Organise, join and support plastic free events and clean-ups
Sports tournaments, school and community events like concerts, festivals and celebrations could generate a lot of plastic waste. As organisers, participants or audience of events, you can take the lead to make the event plastic free. Single use plastic water bottles can be eliminated by setting up water stations where people can fill up their reusable bottles. If there is a food stall or canteen, think of the variety of items that can be served without plastic wrapping and disposable cutlery and cups. Instead of biscuits wrapped in plastic packaging, swap for a tin of biscuits or even serve homemade sandwiches and juice.
You can even get together with like-minded people, friends and family to clean-up parts of your neighbourhood and public spaces. Through clean-ups you can create awareness about plastic pollution and be an advocate for change.
Reach out to Fari Uthuru campaign at fariuthuru@gmail.com to find out ways to collaborate in organising plastic free events and clean-ups. We would love to hear your ideas and work together to combat plastic pollution in Kulhudhuffushi City.
