PLASTIC FASTING

HOW TO REDUCE YOUR CONSUMPTION OF PLASTIC

Just 9% of global plastic is recycled, according to estimates, and even in countries where waste is sorted into recycling bins, the vast majority of plastics end up in landfills or incinerators. It can sometimes seem that everything you want to buy is either made of plastic, wrapped in plastic or contains some form of plastic — in short, it’s everywhere.

Plastics pollute and poison the environment and people with it, prompting many of us to try to reduce our dependence on them. The good news is that small changes in everyday life can make a big difference.

Plastic fasting follows the same concept as normal fasting, but instead of giving up sweets or alcohol, plastic is avoided, even if it’s just for a limited period of time. “Plastic fasting means consciously avoiding the use of plastic products, especially short-lived things that end up in the bin after a short period of use,” says Silvia Cabrera-cayola. She is an expert in waste and resource protection at a consumer advice centre in Germany.

By avoiding unnecessary plastic and trying to do without single-use plastic as far as possible, you can help to conserve resources, and protect your own health too.

It’s worth remembering that we also ingest plastic through our food and water — and not just in small quantities. “A study by the University of Newcastle (Australia) found that people ingest up to five grams of plastic a week,” says Thomas Fischer from the campaign

group Environmental Action Germany (DUH). “That’s roughly equivalent to a shredded credit card.”

QHow can we do without plastic in practice?

The general rule is to avoid all unnecessary individual packaging. That will help you gradually save large amounts of disposable waste with every p chase. As an alternative to using sh ping bags or thin fruit bags, get in habit of bringing a cloth net for lo vegetables, a carrier bag, or a bas with you when you go shopping.

Water in disposable plastic bottles c easily be replaced reusable glass bott

Qplastic everywhere!

Clothing that contains synthetic fib is not good from an environmental po of view, particularly sports and outd clothing, which is often plas Microscopic plastic partic get into the water dur production and wh these items washed at home. Look carefully the contents cosmetics a hygiene pr ucts, beca they often c tain plast “In produ such as too paste, show gel and cle ing produ solid microp tics are n banned throu out the EU,” s Thomas Fischer. Microplastics can found in shampoo, sh er gel and scrubs, amo other things. Manufacturers plastic as an abrasive to whiten tee Detergents and cleaning agents can c tain liquid or semi-solid plastic. T good news is that there are many plas free alternatives such as solid shamp and shower gel, as well as sustaina cleaning products. Look out for lab telling you a product is plastic free. Plastic fasting doesn’t mean throw away everything made of plas straight away. “You shouldn’t forget t it’s about reducing plastic and not ab replacing it at all costs,” says Cabre Cayola. Items that are still in good c dition can continue to be used until th are worn out or broken. “The a should be to produce less waste in g eral, regardless of the material.” Make it a rule to choose reusa instead of disposable, and try to b durable and easily repairable produ You should also dispose of waste c rectly at the recycling centre.

DESPITE

EFFORTS TO SEPARATE WASTE, MOST PLASTIC USED DAILY, FROM PASTA TO SHAMPOO, ENDS UP INCINERATED OR IN LANDFILLS, WITH ONLY A FRACTION RECYCLED GLOBALLY. LET’S TRY ‘PLASTIC FASTING’ — IT’S THE SAME CONCEPT AS NORMAL FASTING, BUT INSTEAD OF GIVING UP SWEETS OR ALCOHOL, PLASTIC IS AVOIDED