Single-use
plastics, or disposable plastics, are used only once before they are thrown
away or recycled. These items are things like plastic bags, straws, coffee
stirrers, soda and water bottles and most food packaging.
The
consumption trend of disposable plastic packaging continues to increase. One of
them can be seen from the development of bottled drinking water production,
where 40% of its production is in bottled water. This is a lifestyle that is
dangerous for the environment. Therefore, it requires the adoption of more
stringent policies from the government and breakthroughs in changing the
business model of the producers towards reducing the use of disposable
packaging, and the community must also change their daily behavior by avoiding
disposable packaging.
"The only
key to overcoming the problem of plastic waste is to reduce consumption.
Recycling will never be enough as a solution, "said Atha. Only 9% of plastic
waste worldwide is recycled, and most of the rest is very likely to end up in
landfills, waterways, polluting rivers and oceans, as we see today.
Burned plastic
bags can cause air pollution and respiratory problems. In addition, plastic
bags used as food containers have the potential to interfere with human health
because toxins in plastic bags can move to food.
Plastic bags
(and other types of plastic) are difficult to decompose on the ground because
of their long carbon chains, making it difficult for microorganisms to
decompose. Plastic bags will break down hundreds to thousands of years later.
Plastic bags that are claimed to be environmentally friendly will also
decompose long and will remain trash. Moreover, because it is quickly broken
down into micro plastic, it will be easier to pollute the environment.
Many items are
used only for disposables such as plastic shopping bags, disposable cutlery,
straws, coffee cup covers and so on.
To reduce the
use of these items, you can calculate when you need them and replace them with
products that can be reused.
For example
when you shop make sure to bring your own shopping bag.