World Environment Day 2018

(Originally published June 3, 2018) This World Environment Day, the focus is on Plastic. With the amount of plastic on the planet set to double in the next 10 years if we don't change, as consumers, it's time to stop accepting what we are served up and become drivers of the world we want to create. And I don't know about you, but it sure isn't one swimming in plastic. 

Our plastic problem is one of design. The linear model of planned obsolescence, in which items are designed to be thrown away immediately after use, sometimes after just seconds, then live on for a thousand years has to end, along with the deaths of too many sea animals who end up eating plastic. 

The official World Environment Day website has a ton of information on global plastics as well as kits for government, schools and businesses.  

Global Plastic Pollution by the Numbers

• Up to 5 trillion plastic bags used each year
• 13 million tonnes of plastic leak into the ocean each year
• 17 million barrels of oil used on plastic production each year
• 1 million plastic bottles bought every minute
• 90% of bottled water found to contain plastic particles
• 83% of tap water found to contain plastic particles
• 50% of consumer plastics are single use
• 10% of all human-generated waste is plastic

For a ton of fantastic high level facts and key messages on #BeatPlasticPollution, go to the World Environment Day. There are a million easy ways to give up plastic, including getting a gorgeous reusable bag, drinking tap water (or getting a filter) instead of plastic bottled water full of more plastic.

Something incorrect here? Suggest an update below: