What's the Problem with Plastic

At this point, you've probably heard a LOT about plastic pollution, plastic being detrimental to our environment, our health, etc. but you may not really know the history of plastics and why it's as problematic as it is. So let's take it waaaay back to the good old days and bring it up to speed!

A Brief History

In 1869, John Wesley Hyatt, invented the world's first synthetic polymer. The initial invention was inspired by creating a substitution for natural substances, like ivory, tortoiseshell, etc. which was a win for animals and in turn, a win for humans. Having a man-made product also made things more accessible to people of a lower social status, also giving more equality to people. 

In 1907, Leo Baekeland, invented what would be the world's first FULLY synthetic plastic, having not a single material derived from nature involved. 

World War II was the biggest push for continued use of plastics. Everything from nylon to plexiglass was used in the military. After the war ended, the plastic use continued giving people a convenient, sanitary, and relatively cheap material to make just about whatever was desired.

In the 1960s, the first observation of plastic debris in our ocean was observed. As people grew more concerned about caring for our environment, plastic was beginning to be looked at as cheap or fake.

After taking a beating in sales, the plastic industry decided to create a solution: recycling. Recycling became popular in the 1980s, though we know in today's world, most of our recycling isn't actually properly recycled or reused. This can clearly be seen when taking a look at our ocean. Maybe you've heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, but did you know there are FIVE great garbage patches around the world? Five! As if one wasn't bad enough...

ScienceHistory.org

Quick Facts

• Half of all plastics currently made were created in the past 15 years.
• Plastic is not biodegradable it is photodegradable, meaning instead of naturally decomposing, plastic simply breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces (microplastics), making it hard to see with the human eye and easy to ingest.
• Approximately 8 million tons of plastic waste ends up in the ocean annually.
• In 1950, plastic production was about 2.3 million tons vs. 448 million tons in 2015. 
• Exposure to the chemicals leaked by plastic are directly linked to cancer, birth defects, endocrine disruption, and many other ailments.
• Plastic is consumed by our wild and marine life on a daily basis, threatening ecosystems worldwide.
• Plastic pollutes our waterways with toxins.
• Nearly all plastic is made from fossil fuels.
  

NationalGeographic.com, PlasticPollutionCoalition.org, TheGuardian.com

What Now?

As the world is becoming more and more aware of the need to stop single use plastics and to rely on more sustainable solutions, there are a few ways we can help to protect both our environment and our health.

• Support companies that are using sustainable options. Package Free Shop ships their products in all recyclable or compostable materials. They feature an end of life section on their products description so you know how to properly dispose of them after use (though most items on their site are lifetime investments).
• Get rid of single use plastics in your daily routine.
• Opt for plant based plastics if you're in a pinch.
• Get outside and do your part! Clean up your local neighborhood, your faking hiking path, etc. (Windows of Time For a Cleanup)
• Get back to the "old days". Take a lesson from your parents or grandparents and start making your own cleaning products. Visit your local farms for fresh produce. Opt for milk in glass containers. 
• REDUCE and RESUE before you recycle. I know I've been guilty of the "I recycle so I'm not that bad" mindset, but we seem to have disconnected from the first two R's. Let's bring them back and make it cool!
• Properly dispose of your garbage. If you know that your local sanitation center doesn't accept certain types of trash or recycling, find a place that does. Many grocery stores now offer drop offs for trickier types of trash.
• Don't litter. It's simple, but it's true. 
• Start investing in lifetime products over convenience. Here are a few ideas:
  • Reusable water bottle/coffee cup
  • Reusable napkins
  • Reusable cleanup bags (Check out this reusable beach cleanup bag by Barrel Bag! Easy to store, lightweight, and perfect for sifting out the sand.)
  • Safety razor (FINALLY just purchased one of these after finishing up my Harry's razor blades. I'll post about it once I get some good practice!)
  • Reusable straws
  • Rechargeable lighter
  • Essential oils to make your own cleaning products with
  • Glass jars, containers, etc. for storing food, buying food in bulk, etc.

While this post may be a short, condensed discussion about plastics, it's one that I find very important. What are your biggest concerns with plastic and plastic pollution? What are some ways your making changes to reduce your plastic use? Let me know in the comments here or over on our Facebook page!

- jamie