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RECYCLE, REDUCE, REFUSE, RETHINK & REUSE:

Written by Daniel Masese on July 2, 2024

Tuesday,2nd.July.2024.

Plastics, pervasive, polluting our seas,
Poisoning pelicans, and plankton with ease.
Pristine beaches now plagued by your waste,
Pernicious particles, no natural haste.

Petrochemical progeny, persistent and pure,
Produce, package, pollute—forever endure.
Planet’s plight, a predicament profound,
Permeating every place, profound and profound.

Plastics, oh! perilous, poison our air,
Pervade our existence with poisonous flair.
Protect our oceans, our planet, our home,
Purge the plastic, let nature freely roam.

Over 400 million metric tons of plastics were produced globally in 2019.
Production has been increasing steadily; from 2 million metric tonnes in 1950 to over 400 million metric tonnes in 2019.

Single-use plastics account for a significant portion of plastic waste.

Globally: single-use plastics that include, however not limited to: bottles, packaging, plastic bags and straws account for 50%. They denature the ecosystem.

Approximately nine billion metric tons of plastic have been produced since the 1950s.
About 60% of all plastic ever produced has ended up in landfills or the natural environment.

Scientific studies say that it takes 450 years to eternity for plastics to decompose. They are non-biodegradable.
Over nine million tonnes of plastics make inroads into the waters thus killing marine life and belaying their productivity.

Microplastics that are five milimetres in size penetrate the atmosphere, ecosystem, land and the waters causing suffocation, deaths, unproductivity and destroying the future generations’ environment and habitat.

A drop in the ocean, only nine percent of the global produced plastics are recycled.
Truncheons bedevilling plastic recycling include, however not limited to: availability, contamination, inadequate infrastructure, and economic viability.

International agreements, conventions, fora, seminars, treaties and workshops such as the Basel Convention are tailored to controlling and reducing plastic wastes globally.

Theses are other redress means and ways:

Innovation:
Development and promotion of biodegradable alternatives plastics curbs the menace of plastics.
Investments in research for innovative materials that are sustainable and have minimal environmental impact.

Policy Implementation:
Enforcing stricter regulations and policies on plastic production, use and disposal.
Implementing bans or restrictions on single-use plastics in various sectors.

Public Awareness:
Increasing education and awareness campaigns about the environmental impacts of plastics.
Promoting behavioural changes to reduce plastic consumption and encouraging recycling.

Plastic Wastes’ Management:

Improving infrastructure for plastic waste collection, recycling and sorting.
Supporting initiatives that promote circular economy principles for plastics.

Products’ Designs:
Encouraging eco-design principles to minimize plastic use in products.
Promoting the designs of reusable and refillable packaging alternatives.

In Summation, the clarion call to action at the dropping of a hat manner is for me and you to all round the clock:

Reduce:
Minimize the use of plastics by opting for products with less packaging or alternative materials.
Choose reusable items over single-use plastics wherever possible.

Reuse:

Reuse plastic containers, bags, and packaging multiple times before disposing of them.
Get creative with repurposing plastic items for other uses to extend their lifespan.

Recycle:
Separate plastic waste for recycling according to local recycling guidelines.
Support products made from recycled plastics to close the loop on plastic waste.

Refuse:
Refuse single-use plastics like straws, plastic bags, and disposable cutlery whenever possible.
Opt for reusable alternatives or products with minimal or no plastic packaging.

Rethink:
Rethink your consumption habits and choices to reduce your overall plastic footprint.

Encourage businesses and policymakers to rethink packaging and product design to minimize plastic use.

By Professor and Philosopher Daniel Masese.