Single use plastic: What alternatives?

(Update from February 04, 2022 at 3:30 p.m.) True basic trend and God knows that it was time to look at the question, ecology motivates our desires for healthier lifestyle and always closer to zero waste. Bane of marine fauna, Single -use plastics were a little pleasure that could do big damagewhen you know that each year, 8 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the oceans … It is as if you empty a trash truck filled with plastic waste per minute. In addition to the measures taken by the government, certain actors in design and decoration have found solutions to integrate recycled plastic into furniture and objects, desirable at will!

What is the definition of single -use plastic?

As its name suggests rather very well, Single -use plastic brings together everything that can only be used once before being thrown. Although the list of single-use plastics is very long, here are some of the objects you may use every day: plastic water bottles, plastic bags and movies, toothpaste tubes, chip packets, bubble wrap, single-use masks …

What is the extent of plastic pollution on the planet?

Today in Europe, More than 80 % of marine waste comes from single -use plastic products and fishing gear. Very difficult to recycle but easy to ingest by marine fauna, some of which finish on our plates, single -use plastic products definitely do not have a good press. From 100 to 1000 years, this is the duration that this type of plastic made as single use to be degraded in nature, there is therefore what to be alarmed.

Towards a ban on all single -use plastic objects?

Under the impetus of associations, as low the straws which aims to raise awareness among the general public and the institutions concerned – Ministry of the Ecological and Solidarity Transition in mind – to the problems caused by single -use plastic, plastic bags have already been prohibited in France since January 1, 2017. In addition, the European Parliament has definitively validated the prohibition of certain disposable plastics. Little reminder of the facts:

• Since January 1, 2020,, The provision of plastic disposable plates, cups and glasses sold in lots in supermarkets and plastic cotton swabs are prohibited for sale. The same goes for plastic flat water bottles used in school canteens (except difficulty accessing drinking water).
• Since January 1, 2021,, Plates, cutlery, mixing sticks and disposable drink cover are also prohibited, as are straws (unless medical use), touillettes or expanded polystyrene containers in which Kebabs are served. We also note in the list the steak spikes, the ball stems or the plastic or confetti glitter. Note that a period of 6 months has been left to companies in order to allow them to sell their stocks.
• Since January 1, 2022are prohibited the production of packaging or bags made from oxodegradable plastic, retail sale of fresh fruits and vegetables under plastic packaging below 1.5 kilogram, except for certain products listed by decree n ° 2021-1318 of October 8, 2021 and the marketing of tea bags and non-biodegradable plastic.
• In 2023the non-employee cutlery in the event of on-site consumption will be prohibited.
• No later than January 1, 2025the packaging made up of polymers or styrenic, non -recyclable copolymers, food containers for cooking, reheating and plastic service, in certain health and academic and university catering services, for local authorities of 2,000 inhabitants and more, will have to disappear. All communities will be affected by this last point in 2028.
• Finally, The government’s objective is to get out of disposable plastic by 2040with the anti-winning law which fixes the prohibition of all disposable plastic objects: laundry cans, bottles of soda or shampoos, sachets of salad, tubes of cream, yogurt pots … Objective 0 single -use plastic!

What are the alternatives to single -use plastic products?

While waiting for 2040 and if, out of habit or by comfort, you really cannot do without it, the editorial staff has been full of biodegradable, compostable and reusable solutions, just to put, once and for all, ko plastics. If they each have their little extra, All these alternatives have a common asset: they no longer pollute, or resolutely less, the environment and the oceans. To say no to single -use plastics, here is something to replace them without delay! To find in organic stores and on a host of sites – Etsy, Nature & Découvertes, Amazon … – We put our hand to cut that you will adopt without delay these green stainless steel alternatives, bamboo, glass or paper. And for always more inspirations, go to social networks with #noplastic

Why an international day without straw?

Source of proven pollution, because too small to be recycled, and of endangering certain species, Plastic straws have been completely prohibited since July 3, 2021. A long -term fight, in which international day without straw has greatly participated. Launched in 2018 with the project Bye straw And carried by the association “Low Carbon City” which aims to reduce our carbon footprint, this day, fixed for February 3 each year, made it possible to make the general public aware of plastic pollution. How ? By initiating a simple gesture: refusing the straws in bars and restaurants. Since its creation, more than 35 countries have participated.