How You Can Help Prevent Plastic Pollution

Every year, the world produces over 380 million tons of plastic, which ends up polluting our natural environment and oceans. Most of this plastic finds its way into landfills, where it takes hundreds to thousands of years to decompose. 

Plastic pollution has led to an outrageous global crisis that affects all of us, including land and aquatic animals. Luckily, there are ways to help minimize this crisis. It all starts with being more environmentally conscious and prioritizing sustainable living.  

One way to drastically cut down on pollution from plastics is by making a small choice when it comes to the items you buy. Specifically, opting to repair broken items instead of rebuying them.

This action alone has a significant impact on the environment in a good way… Here’s how. 

Why Plastic Is The Problem

As we already mentioned, plastic is not a bio-degradable material. It takes plastic items an incredibly long time to break down so the more plastic that’s thrown away, the more it builds in our ecosystems just to sit for hundreds of years. 

But, it’s not solely the fact of plastic being non-bio-degradable and taking up space in our landfills that makes it a threat to our environment. There are other ways plastic harms our world and our ecosystems, such as:

• Fossil fuels are emitted into the air when plastic is produced.
• Plastic breaks down into microplastics, which are released into the earth’s soil and water sources and then causes damage.
• Some plastic items are made with chemicals that seep into the ground and harm animals and humans. 
• Land and marine animals can become trapped in large pieces of plastic or choke on plastic items, causing them to die. 

As you can see, plastic pollution is a major problem. And sadly, it’s estimated that 9-13 million tons of plastic is found in aquatic systems like the ocean and rivers every year. 

How to Stop Pollution from Plastics

So, how can you help stop plastic pollution? The first and easiest way to ditch single-use plastics, like water bottles, straws, and bags. 

Switching to eco-friendly products that are reusable and preferably made out of low-impact materials (like bamboo) help reduce your environmental footprint by minimizing waste.

Here are some excellent alternatives to plastic you can use daily:

• Stainless steel or premium silicone cups and straws
• Bamboo tableware and cutlery
• Wooden kitchenware and household items
• Plant-based cleaning products  
• Linen, canvas, or compostable shopping bags
• A plant-based plastic like Astrik

Why Repairing Items Is Key to Combating Pollution from Plastics

Sustainability is the key to a better future, but there is no silver bullet. A new product will always have some negative impact. But, while you’re plastic alternatives, accidents will still happen, like with our countertop compost bins. 

We have been experimenting with Astrik, a 100% plant-based plastic, to create dishwasher and microwave-safe and durable products that can be enjoyed for years. Astrik breaks down quickly and safely unlike traditional plastic.

To cut down on the plastic pollution crisis even more, we started repurposing existing machines to mold new materials like bamboo fiber, a renewable and sustainable resource that can be harvested frequently without damaging the soil or landscape. 

We offer replacement parts for all our items for just the price of shipping, even down to the screws for the composter, should you experience an accident with one of our products.

By deciding to repair your countertop compost bin instead of buying a new one, you’ll significantly reduce the damage each product does to the environment.

We do what we do to make the choice easy, affordable, and stylish. Because in the end it is you that turns our efforts into a brighter future. 

Each of us can save a few pounds of plastic from entering our environment, make compost from home instead of filling our landfills, and use what we already have. A small choice for one that amounts to a monumental change together.