Single-use Plastics

Swami Says…

Nature (Prakrithi) is your school, your laboratory, the gateway to liberation, and the panorama of God’s manifold majesty. Seek to know the lessons it is ready to teach; all things in Nature are as Brahman as you are. So, any act is Divine; any work is Divine worship; build the mansion of your life on the strong foundation of the faith that all this is Brahman.

~Sathya Sai Baba
Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 10, October 4, 1970

Tidbit: Do you know how much single-use plastic you purchase every day and have around your house? Try to reduce the use of single-use plastics.

What are single-use plastics?

Examples of single use plastic: Ziploc bag, disposable cutlery, take out container and associated cutlery in a plastic bag, cold coffee cup, plastic bag, small drink cups

These are products that are to be disposed of right after use. Although single-use plastics are considered convenient, sanitary, and efficient, most are not biodegradable; and their use has increased significantly, resulting in massive accumulation of plastics in the environment, raising substantial environmental and health concerns.

Examples of single-use plastics: Plastic bags, plastic straws, plastic stirrers, balloons, plastic cotton buds, coffee cups and lids, plastic cups, plastic containers, plastic cutlery, and plastic plates, Ziploc bags, disposable cutlery, takeout containers and associated cutlery in a plastic bag, cold coffee cups, plastic bags, small drinks.

Composition: Mostly made from fossil fuel–based chemicals (petrochemicals). Most of the monomers used to make plastics, such as ethylene and propylene, are derived from fossil hydrocarbons.

Impacts: None of the commonly used plastics are biodegradable. Therefore, they accumulate in landfills or the natural environment rather than decompose. The only way to permanently eliminate plastic waste is by destructive thermal treatment. Plastic debris has been found in marine environments and is being found to contaminate freshwater systems and terrestrial environments as well as environmental contamination with synthetic fibers. Even the production of plastics emits greenhouse gases at every point in its life cycle, from the initial process of drilling for the oil and gas that make up its building blocks to the incineration that often occurs at the end of a plastic product’s life.

According to the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), the world doubled its plastic production between 2000 and 2019. By 2040, the growth in use and production is expected to rise by 70 percent, compared to 2020 (reference: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/single-use-plastics-101#why)

Although recycling helps reduce plastic wastes, all plastics cannot be recycled. The OECD estimates that about 91 percent of plastic isn’t recycled at all.

State responses: Some states have instituted bans on some plastics like plastic bags, straws, clamshells, and stirrers. Some states like California have also banned key uses of plastic microbeads in all cosmetics and cleaning products. For more information see https://www.britannica.com/procon/single-use-plastics-debate#ref390797

The best way to reduce plastic waste is to reduce the use of these plastics.

Choices we can make

1. Use your own grocery bags and produce bags for shopping.
2. Carry your own water bottle. Avoid buying bottled water or drinks.
3. Carry your own coffee mug/cup.
4. Avoid plastic straws.
5. Choose bar soaps and shampoo bars where possible; this avoids the use of single use plastics.
6. Take your own carryout container for leftovers and freeze leftovers from restaurants in your own containers.
7. Avoid individually packed goods like snack packs. Buy in bulk if possible.
8. Use reusable sandwich bags or containers for your sandwiches.
9. Avoid the use of Ziploc bags to store food, particularly after an event; if you do use them, you could wash and reuse them a few times. Encourage folks to bring their carryout containers.