World Environment Day 2020: 5 Ways To Reduce Plastic Pollution During COVID-19 Lockdown

The COVID-19 pandemic has been impacting people, companies, public services, and more importantly, our planet. It is quite worrisome that there is seven times more plastic than fish in some parts of the ocean, as per a study. The pandemic has led to a surge in the use of plastic bags as well as an increase in the use of single-use items that are disposed of outdoors after use.

While it is crucial to safeguard personal health, it is also important to protect our environment and ensure that plastic waste reduction is given the utmost priority.

Here are some useful tips to fight plastic pollution during the lockdown:

1. Keep sorting plastic waste

Since waste management services might be reduced, you could store plastic waste in resistant bin bags at home or upcycle them.

2. Prepare home-cooked meals

Not only is it good for your health, but it also protects the environment. Restaurants and other food delivery businesses only offer home delivery or takeaway options during the lockdown. This generates a lot of plastic waste. Restaurants could opt for to-go containers made of recycled paper and discourage employees from using plastic straws and other disposable plastic materials while at work.

3. Use personal water bottles

Plastic water bottles are one of the most commonly tossed around single-use plastics. 80% of plastic water bottles end up in landfills and it takes nearly 1,000 years for every single bottle to get decomposed. You can maintain personal water battles made of stainless steel or glass and reuse it after washing it in a dishwasher during this lockdown.

4. Look for grocery supplies with sustainable delivery packaging

While ordering grocery and other household essentials during the lockdown, you could opt for services that offer sustainable delivery packages including cardboard boxes and biodegradable bags rather than plastic covers and bags.

5. Order wisely

You can order items in bulk quantities and family-sized packages rather than those in small quantities. Not only will you avail those discounts on the big packages, but will also end up polluting the environment lesser. You can also order items that come packed in reusable glass bottles or tins rather than those that get packed in plastic containers or plastic-lined tetra packaging.