More Plastic than Fish by 2050

January 26, 2016 8:17 am

As consumers, we have a choice regarding plastic packaging. A new report says that plastic in the oceans will outweigh fish by 2050. For many people, statistics like this mean it’s time to consider plastic in a whole new light.

Plastic production has increased 20 times in the last 50 years, and experts predict it will double again in the next 20 years. The report points out that we need a new approach to plastic, advocating for more reuse and more recycling of plastics and plastic packaging.

Here are three tips to reduce your plastic packaging use today:

1. Buy items in bulk rather than pre-packaged. Bring your own produce bags or forego produce bags when buying some items like apples or avocados.

2. Rethink party items like straws and balloons. Even though they are not diamonds, straws and balloons are forever. They show up choking turtles and whales, and tangling in seaweed where they are mistaken by fish for food. Use paper decorations and serving pieces that are reusable or made of renewable materials like paper or bamboo.

3. Bring your own bags. A good quality reusable bags like the ones from 1 Bag at a Time can replace up to 1000 bags. This is a significant reduction that results in less litter, less waste, and less emissions.

Click here to see Plastic By the Numbers video by Time Magazine.

Paris Climate Conference Encourages Reusable Bags »

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Director of Membership and Community Relations / Harvest Co-op Market