Protecting Our Environment From Plastics

We produce a lot of garbage!  An average American man weighing 175 pounds will produce his weight in garbage every three months.  Another startling fact: most Americans don’t know what happens to their trash once they toss it.  The sad fact is a large amount of it makes its way to our natural environment, negatively impacting our water, soil, and air.  Specifically, plastic waste has become an increasingly big problem, as it affects wildlife, human health, and the environment.

 

 

The Effects of Plastic Waste

Plastics and other trash components will take hundreds, perhaps even thousands of years to break down in most environments.  The damage just one plastic bag can do over the course of its lifetime is exponential.  Consider these negative impacts of plastic waste:

• Conservationists estimate that at least 100,000 mammals and birds die annually as a result of plastics waste.
• Hormone-altering chemicals in plastics can be absorbed by humans.
• When they break down, plastics leach toxins into waterways and threaten marine and human life.
• Plastic waste can be eaten by many species, thus leading to choking and death.
• Floating plastics can be a breeding ground for invasive, disease-carrying species such as mosquitoes.

 

Helping Toward Sustainability

We know about the hazards that trash poses to our planet and the oceans around us, but what can we do to stop this from happening?  Here are a few tips to help keep our environment and the wildlife around us safe:

1. Reduce: Less packaging means less plastic waste. Buy applicable foods without packaging when possible and otherwise look for packaging made sustainably. Choose products that have the least amount of disposable parts like toothbrushes with replaceable brushes. Consuming less will decrease unnecessary plastics.
2. Recycle: Contrary to popular belief, many plastics are not recyclable and are lost to waterways and oceans. Furthermore, in most countries plastics cannot be recycled due to the lack of financial resources to support a recycling program. Dispose of plastics appropriately.
3. Refuse: Simply refuse to use disposable plastics like plastic grocery bags. Reusable fabric bags are a much safer option for the environment.  Straws and plastic eating utensils are other easy options to eliminate completely.
4. Reuse: Reuse preferably non-toxic (glass, stainless steel) containers and goods to make less plastic waste.
5. Lead by example: Teach your children, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to avoid plastic waste by following the above tips. Good habits catch on!

 

Plastic waste is certainly a major problem plaguing our environment.  By being eco-conscious about the disposal of plastic waste and using alternative products to cut down on plastic waste, you can do your part to combat this epidemic.  Chuck It Junk Removal is proud to utilize “green junk removal” to be sure we reduce what goes into landfills by reusing salvageable items and recycling as much junk as possible.  If you have junk you would like to have removed from your home or business, give us a call today at 1-888-924-8254 to find out how we can work together to protect the environment!