Sin gle U se
P lastic
Every day, millions of tons of plastic waste end up in our oceans
and landfills, causing harm to wildlife and the environment. Learn
about the problem, the alternatives, and how we can all take
action to reduce single use plastic.
by Shubham Kumar
The Problem With Single Use Plastic
Pollutes Our Oceans and Fills Up Our Landfills Wastes Energy
Beaches and Resources
Plastic waste takes hundreds
Single use plastic is one of of years to decompose, The production of single use
the biggest contributors leaving ever- growing landfills plastic generates large
to marine pollution, and harming the amounts of greenhouse
harming wildlife and environment in the process. gases, contributing to climate
destroying ecosystems. change.
E n v iron m en tal
Im pact
T h e O cean T h e Lan d
Over 1 million seabirds and 100,000 Plastic waste harms soil quality and
marine animals die each year from threatens wildlife living in or near
plastic pollution. landfills.
T h e A ir T h e C lim ate
Plastic production and incineration Plastic production and waste generate
release toxic pollutants into the air, large amounts of greenhouse gases,
contributing to respiratory diseases. contributing to climate change.
Alternatives to Single Use Plastic
1 2 3
Reusable Straws Refillable Water Cloth Bags
Bottles
Many companies now Using cloth bags, rather
make reusable straws Investing in a durable, than plastic bags, for
from metal, silicone, or refillable water bottle shopping trips reduces
bamboo, reducing the is an easy way to cut plastic waste and saves
need for single use plastic down on single use money in the long run.
straws. plastic water bottles.
Corporate Responsibility
Reducing Plastic in Using Sustainable Offering Plastic-Free
Manufacturing Packaging Alternatives
Companies can take steps to Material choices and design Companies can offer
reduce plastic use in their can help reduce plastic consumers alternatives to
manufacturing processes, packaging and make it more single use plastic products,
such as using recycled eco-friendly. such as bamboo
materials or developing Companies can use recycled toothbrushes or paper
biodegradable alternatives. content or packaging that straws.
can be recycled or reused.
Individual Responsibility
1 Be Aware 2 Make Changes 3 Spread the Word
Educate yourself on the Start by making small Tell your friends and
impacts of single use changes in your daily family about the issue
plastic and be conscious routine, like bringing and encourage them
of your own use. your own bags to the to make changes too.
grocery store or using
a refillable water
bottle.
G overn m en t
A ction
B an n in g Sin gle In vestin g in T axin g P lastic U se
U se Plastics R ecyclin g
Taxing single use plastic
P rogram s
Many countries and cities can discourage its
are implementing bans Governments can invest excessive use and
on single use plastics, in better recycling generate funds for
such as bags and straws. infrastructure and cleaning up the
This can greatly reduce education programs to environment and
plastic pollution. help reduce plastic promoting alternatives.
waste.
Call to Action
You Can Make a Hold Corporations Demand
Difference Accountable Government Action
Reduce your single use Choose to support Contact your elected
plastic use and encourage companies that are officials and demand they
others to do so too. Small reducing their plastic use take stronger action to
changes can make a big and holding themselves reduce plastic pollution and
impact. accountable for their promote sustainability.
environmental impact.