Recycling Alone Won't Save Us
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Plastic Blight: We're Sinking in Waste, Not Solutions
Alright everyone, time to talk rubbish. Plastic rubbish, that is. A new report by EA Earth Action has unveiled some terrifying stats. We're set to generate a monstrous 220 million tonnes of plastic waste this year, a jump of 10% since just 2021!
Here's the shocker: over a third of that plastic waste, a whopping 68.6 million tonnes, won't be managed properly. That translates to roughly 28 kilograms of plastic waste per person – enough to fill a wheelie bin!
This report also marks a rather gloomy day: Plastic Overshoot Day. This is the day when the amount of plastic waste we create officially outweighs our ability to deal with it. This year, the world hits its Plastic Overshoot Day on September 5th. But guess what? Different countries have different overshoot days based on their plastic habits and waste management systems.
Here's another concerning fact: just 12 countries are responsible for a whopping 60% of the world's mismanaged plastic waste! China, the USA, India, Brazil, and Mexico are the top culprits, highlighting a massive imbalance in how we tackle this global problem.
The report also debunks a common misconception: recycling alone won't save us. Even with improvements in waste management, plastic production is simply skyrocketing. Nearly half the world's population lives in areas overflowing with plastic waste, putting a major strain on developing countries with limited resources.
So, what can we do? EA Earth Action is calling for a multi-pronged attack on plastic pollution. We need to use less plastic in the first place, implement stricter waste management policies, and seriously upgrade waste management infrastructure, especially in developing nations.
Thankfully, some companies are leading the charge. Here at Obvs Skincare. we ditch plastic altogether! Our products come in innovative, 100% biodegradable wood-based packaging. That's right, no more plastic tubes or tubs clogging up landfills! Obvs Skincare is just one example of how businesses can innovate and ditch plastic for good.
The bottom line: We're on an unsustainable path. Let's stop burying ourselves in plastic and work towards a future where reduction is key. The decisions we make today will impact generations to come. Let's make 2024 the year we turn the tide on plastic pollution!
