Throughout the month of July I've talked about the incredible amount of plastic that is being produced around the world, the amount of plastic in the our oceans and the natural environment (and the damage that's doing), and the problems of managing the a vast amount of waste we're producing because of our addiction to … Continue reading 3 Ways You Can Easily Reduce Your Plastic Consumption
The Growing Problem of Plastic Waste
Ever since its invention, we have produced and consumed an incredible amount of plastic. Globally, an estimated 8.3 billion metric tonnes of plastic waste have been disposed of with 9% of that being recycled, 12% incinerated and 79% going to landfill. Each year we produce an additional 300 million tonnes of plastic waste and that … Continue reading The Growing Problem of Plastic Waste
Our Dangerous Addiction to Plastic
Plastic in its completely synthetic form has been around since the start of the 20th century with the invention of Bakelite. Its number of uses and the types of plastic created grew slowly before exploding into the mainstream during World War Two. In the 1950s and 60s, plastics entered the home and many saw an … Continue reading Our Dangerous Addiction to Plastic
Sorry Ineos, But The Plastic Crisis Goes Way Beyond Waste Plastic
Just a few weeks ago, the BBC One programme, War On Plastic, introduced many to how plastics are created and where one-third of the 1.8 million tonnes of UK plastic is produced. During the programme, rather than take any responsibility for the plastic crises we currently face, they shifted the blame to others, citing the inability … Continue reading Sorry Ineos, But The Plastic Crisis Goes Way Beyond Waste Plastic
The Mind-Blowing Cost of Plastic Pollution
We've all seen the heartbreaking photos of animals being caught up in plastic waste and often killed. We've all seen the reports of whales, dolphins, birds and other marine animals washing up dead on beaches with stomachs full of plastic bags and other objects. Just last week, a pregnant sperm whale washed up on a … Continue reading The Mind-Blowing Cost of Plastic Pollution
Plastic Free Parliament: Update
This time last year I received a letter from my local MP, Julian Lewis, on what the UK Parliament were doing to tackle the problem of waste within the government. In that letter, Lewis discusses a mixed recycling scheme of various materials that are used in Parliament and claims that no waste produced in Parliament … Continue reading Plastic Free Parliament: Update
Coles Continues to ‘Bagflip’ on Plastic Ban Charge
After commiting to reducing their plastic waste by no longer giving out free single-use plastic bags, Coles have now been presurised by unhappy consumers to extending the free giveaway of reusable plastic bags to August 29th. Coles stopped the distribution of their grey, single-use carrier bags back on the 1st of July but offered customers … Continue reading Coles Continues to ‘Bagflip’ on Plastic Ban Charge
Is Your Plastic Waste Really Being Recycled?
Officially, UK households are recycling approximately 45% of their waste - a figure that has been rising over recent years. The current figure is just under the EU target of 50% by 2020, but in terms of packaging that is being recycled, the UK is exceeding EU targets. These figures are encouraging, but what happens … Continue reading Is Your Plastic Waste Really Being Recycled?