GLOW UP!

plastic pollution

how to stop using plastic immediately and why it isn't difficult
- a thread

there are alternatives for everything that is made out of plastic. literally everything: toothbrushes, shampoos, straws etc so using a non-plastic item instead isn't difficult!

i guess you already know why plastic is bad for us humans but also for wildlife and our planet in general but to keep it short:
plastic items take a loooong time to decompose and when they do, they only break down into really small pieces that we call microplastics.
these pieces are so small that they can be found everywhere: in marine life (yes also in fish that many people enjoy eating), in sea salt, ground water and ofc the water in plastic bottles (because we literally drink water out of a plastic item). we also find microplastics in cosmetic products, which is really stupid and unnecessary since there's no need to have microplastic in shampoos or makeup 🤦🏻‍♀️

but what's dangerous about microplastics? well microplastics can mess with our hormones, absorb toxins (which we then eat) and - most importantly! - destroy the ecosystem. just google pictures of pollution in the ocean or animals that died because they ate plastic and you'll see why. and did you know that plastic is in fact linked to climate change?
so why not change our life style by not using plastic anymore?
i'm using basically no plastic anymore (except for packaging i can't avoid or stationery items etc) and i can tell you: it wasn't difficult at all. i couldn't believe that this rapid change was in fact so easy.

and that's how you do it:
- use a wooden toothbrush instead of
  a plastic one
- always bring a reusable shopping
  bag
- don't use plastic straws: you can
  drink without a straw or simply buy
  a metal, glass or bamboo straw that
  is reusable (you'll also save money    
  in the long run)
- use shampoo bars if you can
- use soap bars instead of liquid soap
- have a reusable water bottle that
  you can fill up (you'll also save a lot
  of money and your health will thank
  you later) - this is honestly the most
  important thing on this list.. please
  just don't plastic bottles :')
- don't buy unnecessary plastic items
  you know you won't use
- this is probably the hardest tip but
  there are also 'zero waste' shops
  where you can buy all kinds of food
  without any packaging and they are
  usually a lot cheaper - BUT: if you
  don't live in big city (i relate) it's
  difficult to find those shops. just
  research and if there are no zero
  waste shops in your area that's ok .
  just try to do as much as you can and
  maybe try to buy as much
  unpackaged food as possible when
  you do your grocery shopping in
  your local supermarket (it's
  impossible for me to go to a zero
  waste shops bc there are none in my
  town but i just try my best and that's
  okay)
- pack your lunch in reusable
  containers instead of plastic baggies
- don't use cosmetic products that
  contain microplastics

update: this year the EU is (finally) banning plastic straws and single use items like plastic cutlery or plastic plates! it's such a big step in the right direction, i'm proud.

if you have any questions on this topic you can ask me anytime.
do you want to see more spreads on sustainability? i have a few ideas in mind :P