LIVING IN A PLASTIC WORLD
Grocery bags, water bottles, snack wrappers, food containers, shampoo tubes, toys, dolls, these are just few examples of plastic items. We live our lives everyday surrounded by plastics certainly,we are aware that it is one of the major concerns regarding our environment. Countless measures have been implemented, but why does it seem like the problem is not being solved? Are we actually addressing the right issue? Or maybe the problem lies not with the plastic but with the disposal of it.
Just recently in Thailand, a Pilot Whale died due to swallowing more than 80 kinds of plastics. This is not the first case and probably would not be the last one if this issue continues. This is an eye opener. It is actually happening and we are very much responsible for it. “Save Mother Earth”, we all have seen and heard this campaign throughout our lives, but what actions are we taking to be part of this campaign? It doesn’t have to be big, but everyone must take even the smallest step to make this world more of a natural environment rather than an earth made with plastic.
We are using plastics everyday of our lives, but we also must learn to use them smartly. We cannot make the world plastic free, but we can do something more efficient and productive with them. We all know the three Rs, REUSE, REDUCE AND RECYCLE. This move can actually lessen the disposal and production of plastics and it should start in every home. There is money in plastic just like there is money in garbage. A pile of plastic bottles and containers can be sold to the junk shop. Snack wrappers can be sewed and made into bags, straws can turn into an ornament. There is so much to do with these plastics than just throw them off your bin. We can turn these plastics from an environmental issue to a low cost housing solution. Just recently a mall launches a campaign, where people can exchange their plastic bottles filled with plastics with a metal straw. And these plastic bottles will be used as eco bricks to build a house.
We are part of this community. We are a habitant of this earth and we benefit most from our environment. As an intellectual creation of God, we are most responsible in keeping the earth a better place to live in, not only for us humans, but also for other living beings that co-exist with us.
The author is Teacher Pam panga.
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III at San Francisco Elementary School, Mabalacat City,