There is no doubt about the fact that plastic in the sea is hugely damaging to the delicate eco and bio-systems that rely on the health of the ocean to survive. The sheer volume of plastic reaching the oceans is having a devastating effect on marine life. A few tweaks to our habits and routines could have the positive impact needed to begin to clean our oceans up to the standard our marine creatures deserve.
Reducing plastic in the ocean: one way we can reduce our own personal impact on the amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean is to decrease the amount of single-use plastic in our daily lives. Lets take a look at some of the most popular products we all use on a daily basis that, with a more ocean friendly approach, could make all the difference to a healthier habitat in our seas.
Soap: if you currently use a dispenser, switching to a bar of soap is an easy swap to make and will have a direct impact on lessening your use of plastic.
Shampoo bottles: just like a good old bar of hand soap, there are a great selection of shampoo bars that promise great results for hair. You can find them in well- known high street bath bomb stores as well as online. Most are cruelty free, too.
Toothbrushes: Wooden or bamboo toothbrushes are gaining in popularity and can be found easily online. Although pricier than the plastic version, bamboo has the added advantage of being naturally antimicrobial meaning it kills bacteria and provides lasting protection.
Cleaning products: one of the most effective ways to reduce your consumption of single use cleaning bottles is to make your own. A simple solution of water mixed with baking soda and a few drops of lemon or eucalyptus oil is a safe and healthy way to clean most surfaces without contributing unnecessarily to the amount of plastic ending up in the ocean.
Food wrap: banish this from your cupboards by investing in some naturally sourced beeswax wraps. You can buy it in different sizes depending on your needs or buy a large sheet and cut it to your requirements. The fact that it can last up to a year when looked after properly really makes it the most eco-friendly option.
Tupperware: a store cupboard convenience, yes, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be replaced with ocean friendly alternatives. Metal food containers come in all shapes and sizes so can be just as convenient as their plastic counterparts. You can get some lovely designs too which makes it a nice choice for an eco-conscious lunchbox.
Wet wipes: something you cannot do without as a mum, and a convenience for most of us when out and about to keep ourselves clean and other things hygienic. But there are more eco-conscious choices out there. Look for bio-degradable bamboo wipes which not only have natural anti-bacterial properties but can be disposed of safely. They will spend less time in landfill than non bio-degradable wipes, but do ensure they are placed in a bin rather than flushed down the toilet to reduce the pollution in our oceans.
If we all made a few small changes, by adopting just one of the suggestions above, together we could all make a big difference. To the future of the oceans, the future of the marine life within them and to the future of the planet as a whole.
For more ideas for leading a more eco friendly life please visit www.planetchildren.co.uk
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