RRR - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

There is no such thing as a small action but only small miracles. We can all do our bit to take care of our planet, mother Earth.

We are all more consciousness now than ever before about the impact we have on the planet, whether that is through our plastic use or clothing consumption. There are many small changes that we can make that have a large impact on the planet.

How does plastic impact the planet

World Plastic Bag Free Day is observed on July 3rd each year. It is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about the environmental impact of plastic bags and promoting the use of sustainable alternatives. By reducing the reliance on plastic bags, we can contribute to the conservation of natural resources, minimise pollution, and protect ecosystems. World Plastic Bag Free Day serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible consumption and encourages individuals to make conscious choices that contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable planet.

Plastic pollution is a pervasive and growing problem worldwide. Particularly, single-use items like bags, bottles, and packaging, often ends up in ecosystems such as oceans, rivers, and forests. This pollution harms wildlife, as animals can mistake plastic for food or become entangled in it, leading to injury, suffocation, or death.

Plastic also takes hundreds of years to break down, if at all, in landfills. As a result, landfills become increasingly burdened with plastic waste, occupying valuable land and contributing to soil and groundwater contamination. This also has an impact on air quality when landfills are burned to reduce the quantity as it releases harmful chemicals into the environment.

The use of plastic bags around the world has dropped due to bans or charges that are levied for usage. During my recent trip to India I discovered that plastic bags are banned there. Each shop we went to provided a cloth bag which is not only environmentally friendly but also more robust and durable. India has taken significant steps to address the issue of plastic bag pollution through various bans and regulations. The ban on single use plastics is a step in the right direction to help us all to protect and preserve our planet, our home.

“Be part of the solution, not part of the pollution.”

Seven simple tips to do your bit

There are so many to many ways to get involved and help protect the planet

1. Look out for the recycle symbol on any products you buy. This will tell you if and how it can be recycled. This helps to reduce landfill sites and reduce pollution too

2. Buy refillable products that reduce the amount of plastic needed to create them. I recently started buying the original source refill packs which means one large pack can keep me going for longer without increasing single use plastics.

3. Reduce plastic consumption. Switch from plastic water bottles to reusable ones. The same for plastic bags. There are many countries that have introduced a plastic bag ban or levy for using plastic bags.

4. Resell your preloved clothing on sites such as vinted, depop and Facebook marketplace. This allows other to love your items and give it a new home. This is good for the planet,… and good for your pocket too.

5. Reimagine your wardrobe. You can rewear a skirt as a dress and a dress as a skirt. This creativity increases your wardrobe size with so many options and allows you to act ethically in reducing fast fashion.

6. Sharing is caring. You can also share your wardrobe with family members which increases your access to clothing without consuming. I tend to borrow clothes from my husband, my cousins and my sister-in-law.

7. Do your research on ethical suppliers and manufacturer's. There are many more options to access ethical clothing now. Review their fair trade policies, what materials they use and if they are recycled.

Drop your tips in the comments below!