What you can do to find a solution to the problem of plastic in the seas

Use biodegradable dishes and cutlery: good practices to prevent plastic pollution

When you organise a party, a picnic or a day trip, choose reusable containers, dishes and cutlery or, alternatively, compostable ones, for example made from corn or bamboo: these can be thrown away as organic waste, avoiding environmental pollution.

Choose toys made from durable materials: good practices to prevent plastic pollution

Many objects destined for children are made of plastic and if they break they can’t be repaired or recycled. In order to protect the environment and send an important message to our children, it’s best to choose sustainable and durable toys made from wood or bioplastics, for example.

Avoid plastic bottles: good practices to prevent plastic pollution

Mexico, Thailand and Italy are the countries that consume the most plastic bottles per capita in the world. For example, 67 per cent of Italians prefer bottled over tap water. To protect the environment, avoid carrying the conventional half-litre plastic water bottle, opting instead for a reusable one made out of a durable material like aluminium.

Buy package free products: good practices to prevent plastic pollution

Choosing package free food products reduces both the amount of plastic that ends up in the sea as well as food waste. This is demonstrated by a study conducted by Friends of Earth Europe, Unwrapped, which shows that the link between the two phenomena (food waste and ocean plastic) is supported by the numbers: each European citizen wastes 30 kg of food every year and 173 kg of plastic end up in the environment.

Separate waste correctly: good practices to prevent plastic pollution

Do you know how to read the symbols in the “recycling” triangles displayed on plastic containers, packaging and objects? Numbers 1 to 6 indicate products that can be thrown out as recyclable plastic waste like bottles, yogurt cups and plastic cutlery. Number 7 indicates non-recyclable products like toys, toothbrush and razors. Of all the materials collected only a third is effectively recycled, while 66 per cent is recovered for energy production (meaning that it’s burned). In the name of the environment, plastic is best avoided in the first place.

Wear natural fabrics: good practices to prevent plastic pollution

Synthetic fabrics like polyester, acrylic and polyamide are highly polluting both in the production and washing phases. According to the Norwegian Environment Agency, every time we wash a synthetic item in the washing machine, up to 1,900 plastic fibres are released. Microplastics from fabrics represent 35 per cent of all those found in the world’s oceans.

Choose sustainable furniture: good practices to prevent plastic pollution

For your home, choose sustainable furniture that is recyclable or made with recycled materials. Avoid plastic objects and remember that elegant furniture made in eco-friendly materials like cardboard and aluminium can be found on the market. If you wish to customise your home decor, you can also commission objects like containers and storage made with sustainable and biodegradable materials such as hemp to 3D printing labs.

Use sustainable make-up: good practices to prevent plastic pollution

Did you know that products like exfoliating scrubs or creams are among the principal sources of microplastics in our oceans? This is because they contain microspheres made from plastic. The United Kingdom has already banned them, and Italy will follow suit in 2020.

Resell used objects: good practices to prevent plastic pollution

If you want to extend the lifecycle – and delay the disposal – of all sort of objects you no longer use, you can resort to the circular economy: exchanging them through dedicated shops or websites, or reselling them. According to research by Doxa, the Italian second-hand market is worth 21 billion euros a year.

Reuse objects creatively: good practices to prevent plastic pollution

Many everyday objects end up in the garbage immediately after we use them, from plastic bottles, to single-use dishes and cutlery as well as ice-cream containers. Yet, by employing a bit of creative thinking, you can give them a new life and avoid their dispersion in the environment by simply reusing them. The bottom of a bottle could become a container for flowers or pencils, while plastic spoons can be turned into the hands of a children’s clock. There are many ways of creatively reusing objects, check out Pinterest for some great ideas!