Here’s Why Plastic Is A Problem - And How You Can Cut Back

There are very few, if any, places on the planet that haven’t been infiltrated by plastic debris. Even the Mariana Trench, the deepest point of the earth far beneath the ocean, is home to wayward pieces of plastic. And did we mention there’s also plastic debris on Mount Everest?

A major chunk of the globe’s plastic waste ends up in oceans, which creates danger for marine life. We’ve all seen heart-wrenching photos of sea creatures with plastic rings stuck around their necks or birds who have swallowed bottle caps, but even more damage is being done to these critters beneath the surface. Plastic debris is now in the stomachs of more than 90% of seabirds on the planet, and more than 50% of sea turtles. Ouch.

Plastic can also have an adverse impact on human health. Toxins leaching out of plastics have been linked to a whole range of health issues like cancer, endocrine disruption, and many other concerns. Plastic-related toxins are also draining out into our groundwater as they seep out beneath landfills.

Here’s where things get even more sobering: all that recycling you’re doing might not be helping as much as you think.

According to the EPA, US recycling processors deal with about 67 million metric tons of material every year. The recycling system has little federal oversight, which means that recycling processes and rules can be inconsistent throughout the country. Guidelines frequently change, which leaves lots of room for well-meaning citizens to screw up the process. For example, most of us remember being told for years that the best way to recycling a plastic bottle is by removing the cap and crushing the bottle. These days, that’s no longer true - we’re supposed to leave the cap on - and following the rules of the past can lead to those caps ending up in the stomach of an unwitting animal.

To make matters more complicated, countries that once bought US recyclables (yep, that’s a thing) are rolling out new restrictions and standards that lead to more rejected recycling - and those rejections often end up in landfills.

It’s worth remembering that plastic never goes away. It can be repurposed, but the closest it can get to being eliminated is being broken down into even smaller pieces of plastic, which can still be consumed by small animals. As much as we intend to do good by recycling, it can only create so many solutions to a problem that literally can’t be disposed of.

There are plenty of simple shifts you can make to reduce the amount of plastic consumption in your life. The key is to start small and build momentum as you go. Here are a few tricks to try:

• Carry reusable grocery bags.
• Switch to a glass water bottle.
• Keep metal straws on hand to avoid using plastic straws at restaurants.
• Switch from plastic tupperware to glass, and ditch disposable plastic wrap for reusable food wrap.
• Buy more food in bulk so you won’t be tempted to grab plastic packaged grab-and-go meals.
• Do your best to avoid clothes made of plastic-based materials like polyester and nylon, and opt for materials like cotton instead.
• Spend a few days simply observing the household objects you use on a daily basis, and take note of which ones are made of plastic. From there, you can make a plan to replace as many of your plastic items as possible.

Eliminating plastic might feel overwhelming, but the last thing you want to do is feel helpless. Every small step that each of us takes can make a difference, so give yourself some credit for doing your best. Remember: there’s nothing more high vibe than saving the planet!

One of the easiest ways to reduce your plastic consumption is to switch from plastic water bottles and cups to glass. Try one of our favorite Gem-Water crystal water bottle and decanter blends to get started on your journey to cutting out plastic - and honor your intentions at the same time.