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There will be a life after plastic - here are some tips to get you started

There was life before and there will be life after plastic. The proliferation of plastic is an issue about which we can all do something concrete if we flex our collective consumer and electoral muscles.
Some of the plastic-alternative products available.
Some of the plastic-alternative products available.

There was life before and there will be life after plastic.

The proliferation of plastic is an issue about which we can all do something concrete if we flex our collective consumer and electoral muscles. If you already know why plastic is bad news, skip the paragraph below and go right to the next one, which talks about what we can do about it.

We’ve all heard the horror stories about the floating masses of plastic waste that block sunlight and trap sea life, not to mention microparticles that are bio-accumulating in marine and now terrestrial life. In March 2018, scientists reported that they had found that bottled water contained roughly double the number of plastic particles found in tap water. The effects of microplastics on human health are still unclear, but smaller particles can enter the bloodstream and lymphatic system and get trapped in organs—which can’t be a good thing.

What can we do about it? A lot!

We have an election coming up. Why not ask our new council to pass a resolution against single use plastic bags similar to that passed by the Victoria City Council?

At home, we can:

  • Replace saran and cling wrap and the like with waxed cotton wrappers which wipe clean and absorb the heat of your hand to mold to whatever shape you need. These waxed cotton wrappers are readily available online, and stores are starting to sell them too.
  • Use and re-use cloth bags and paper bags and glass containers wherever possible.
  • For situations where you feel you can’t do without a plastic bag, try a compostable kitchen bag instead. These come in various sizes and are readily available online and in stores like Canadian Tire.

These are just three relatively low cost and easily implemented replacements for the ubiquitous plastics. There are lots more great ideas out there—let’s start sharing them and support each other in making this really positive change in our lives. Our grandparents managed without plastics. So can we!