Every year we dump tons of waste – this source says up to 2.12 billion tons. Of this, plastics account for 10% – 16% of the total waste. Even though the use of plastic is essential in several industries, the problem posed by the waste accumulated cannot be ignored.
According to Plastic Oceans, plastic pollution is even worse than we think it is. Half of the 300 million tons of plastic we’re producing is designed for single use, and each year around 8 million tons of it ends up in our oceans. While a mutant enzyme has been discovered to eat plastic, it is far from solving our plastic problems, and we do not yet know the long-term effects. To curb the increase of humans’ marine litter, the European Commission has proposed a new law that bans the top-10 culprits of single use plastic products, ranging from cutlery, plates and straws to water bottles and food containers.
On an individual scale, you can also do your part to combat plastic pollution. Here are three quick and easy tips to lessen the use of plastic in your day-to-day activities.
MOTUNRAYO SHAFAU
Communication Officer
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