Banning plastic straws & how to ACTUALLY save the environment 🌎

Plastic straws make up about 4% of plastic waste - overall, that's only 2,000 tonnes of the nearly 9 million tonnes of plastic waste that gets deposited in the ocean per annum.

I understand that this is not much, and that we must cut out plastic on a larger scale in order to make a bigger impact on pollution. However, my idea is that the government are taking baby steps towards a larger campaign, which will ban other, more prominent types of plastic waste.

At least, that's what I hope they're doing...

So, how can YOU be more environmentally friendly?

1. Reuse plastic bags

It is now compulsory for retailers in the UK to charge 5p per plastic bag, which could soon become 10p.

This may seem annoying, but it's actually quite effective - by making people pay for bags, they're less likely to keep buying and throwing them away, and more likely to reuse and recycle. Some mainstream retailers, such as Sainsbury's, even offer to recycle your old, ripped 'bags for life' and replace them with a new one free of charge - these bags get melted down and turned into fresh new ones. Meaning: no plastic waste!

Since the 5p charge was introduced, single-use plastic bag sales have fallen by 86%.

Seven major retailers issued approx. 7.6 billion single-use bags in 2014, but that figure was down to just over 1 billion in 2017-18.

So, next time you go to Tesco, bring your bags from last time, and you'll be one step closer to saving the planet. Easy!

2. Buy a reusable (BPA-free) water bottle

Instead of buying a new bottle of water every day and chucking it away, why not buy a handy, reusable BPA-free bottle - not only will you cut down on plastic waste, but you'll avoid nasty chemicals such as BPA, an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1960s. Increased exposure to BPA can lead to infertility in men and women and may raise your risk of obesity.

So, why not go for a funky metal flask, or even a glass bottle.

3. Take the bus

Transport is Europe's biggest source of carbon emissions, contributing 27% to the EU's total CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions, with cars and vans representing more than 2/3 of these.

Cars release approx. 333 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere annually, which is 20% of the world's total.

CO2 a toxic gas that causes air pollution. High exposure to such harmful gases can lead to breathing problems and even, in extreme cases, lung disease.

Furthermore, exposure to diesel exhaust can have immediate health effects - it can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lungs, and can cause coughs, lightheadedness and nausea. Diesel engines produce nitrogen oxides, a common air pollutant.

So, driving less will significantly decrease air pollution levels, and reduce your carbon footprint. But, what alternatives are there?

Studies have shown that taking the bus is, on the whole, much cheaper, and public transport can convey many more people in much less space than cars, which helps to keep congestion lower. This in turn reduces pollution from idling vehicles.

Taking the bus can also be good for stress! -

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/taking-public-transport-instead-of-driving-to-work-makes-people-happier-study-suggests-9732535.html

This article by Independent suggests that taking the bus makes people happier! It's even backed up by scientific research...

Although, walking is still the most environmentally friendly way to travel. Obviously.

4. Ecosia

Surprisingly, not a lot of people know about Ecosia.

Ecosia is a search engine, and it's basically Google, except all of their profits are used to plant trees!

This is by far the most simple way for anyone - including you - to start combatting deforestation, and Ecosia have already planted over 58 million trees worldwide.

If this hasn't convinced you to join their 7 million users, then I don't know what will.

Visit their website for more information: https://info.ecosia.org/what

5. Eat less meat

Now, I'm not saying that you should become a vegan, as it is, understandably, not for everyone. But, by limiting the amount of meat you eat, you're helping to cut down the amount of livestock killed each year for food - so morally, you're a winner.

The livestock sector (raising cows, pigs and chickens) generates as much greenhouse gas emissions as all cars, trucks and automobiles combined - shocker, right? Cattle ranchers have clear cut millions of kilometres of forests for grazing pastures, destroying natural 'carbon sinks.' This means that there is more carbon in the atmosphere, because there are no plants to absorb it for photosynthesis and release it as oxygen.

Reducing your meat consumption is also beneficial for your body: research has shown that a diet heavy in meat is linked to the increased risk of obesity, cancer and heart disease.

If you struggle with giving up meat, then why not try a meat alternative? There are hundreds of brands that do 'vegetarian chicken' and 'quorn lamb,' just find one that's right for you. They tend to taste so much like real meat, you probably won't even notice the difference!

A plant-based diet works wonders for the planet, and is just as good for your health, so why not give it a try?

Useful links

• Marine Megafauna Foundation: https://marinemegafaunafoundation.org

This charity aims to save endangered marine species - to help, you can simply donate, OR become a member and donate monthly. You will receive monthly updates, and could even visit their projects!

• The Greenpeace Environmental Trust: https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/greenpeace-environmental-trust/

A wonderful charity dedicated to saving the planet in so many different ways, from defending oceans to protecting forests.

• Rainforest Foundation UK: https://www.rainforestfoundationuk.org

We need rainforests to produce oxygen and clean up the atmosphere to help us breathe. They also provide us with many species of valuable medicinal plants, so they must be protected in order to maintain a healthy planet.

• WWF: https://support.wwf.org.uk

Fond of animals? The WWF will let you adopt an endangered animal for a small monthly donation. A great cause! For more information, be sure to visit their website.

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Hopefully this post has been educational - now, take a walk to Sainsbury's and get yourself a Bag for Life! And don't forget to spread the word about how YOU are changing your lifestyle to save the planet.

- R