The Problem
Many of us are familiar with the saddening and infuriating video of a plastic straw being extracted from a turtle’s nose that went viral on social media. This finding devastated environmentalists and shocked social media users worldwide. At best, it also shed some light on the growing problem that plastic straws are creating across the globe.
Although shocking, this video also opened our eyes to the severity of the situation of not only plastic straws but the vast amount of trash that is created by single-use plastic.
According to this video on single-use plastic from the United Nations, “almost every piece of plastic ever made is still on this planet in one form or another.” Even worse, “we are producing over 300 million tons of plastic yearly.” Watch the documentary, A Plastic Ocean, to learn more about the causes, consequences and solutions to plastic pollution.
We have all gone through life with single-use plastic surrounding us in virtually every aspect of our daily lives. It’s probable that we don’t realize how much plastic plays a part in our lives. Especially while travelling it can be hard to escape single-use plastic, but if we put our minds to it then we can help change the fate of our planet by adapting our behaviours and adopting new habits.
The Solution
The first step is to just say “NO” to plastic straws. This small act can contribute towards the conservation of our oceans and the environment. Even companies like Starbucks and Hyatt, airlines like American and Alaska, cruise ship company Royal Caribbean as well as the city of Seattle are phasing out plastic straws as reported in this Time article. Join popular campaigns like @TheLastPlasticStraw, @StrawNoMoreProject and many others by refusing to consume plastic straws to help save our planet.
How to reduce plastic waste while travelling:
- Bring a reusable or filtered water bottle
- Bring a metal straw
- Use a bamboo toothbrush and hairbrush
- Bring your own bamboo silverware or spork
- Bring reusable shopping bags for souvenirs & dirty clothes
- Pack toiletries in reusable travel-sized bottles
- Use bar soap, shampoo and conditioner
- Use a menstrual cup like Diva Cup or Moon Cup
- Dine at sit down restaurants rather than fast food
- Recycle whenever you have the chance
For more information on reducing the use of plastic straws visit The Last Plastic Straw.org or the Plastic Pollution Coalition.org.
Remember… Just say “NO” to Plastic Straws.
How do you reduce your use of single-use plastics? Let us know in the comment section below. If you’re wanting to have a postitive impact while travelling check out some of our voluntours.
