Image source from https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/
You are on a family holiday at a beautiful private island and decided to go snorkeling. You get excited with the clear waters and beautiful corals but suddenly you saw plastic bottles and waste all around, not a beautiful sight, right? Sadly, that is how our beautiful planet is now and will continue to be when we continue to use plastic. Do you know we are generating 300 million tons of plastics per year?! That’s nearly equivalent to the weight of entire human population! Even when you don’t see it, it does not mean they are not there. Approximately 8 million pieces of plastic pollution find their way into our oceans daily.
Image source from https://www.circular-solutions.eu/
A bit of background on why plastics are so popularly used around the world. Plastics generally are flexible, lightweight, strong, versatile, moisture resistant and inexpensive. Also, because of these qualities that made them ultimately durable and very slow to degrade, becoming waste with staying power, around 1,000 years to decompose, yes, 1,000 years! Do we really want our future generations to be living with plastic waste? Many do not know that plastic can contaminate the food we eat and the water we drink. Yes, it releases microplastics into the food and water, exposing us to harmful chemicals that can cause health problems.
A few shocking but true facts on current situation with plastics (taken from multiple sources).
- 50% plastics are single use according to WWF Report 2019
- One million plastic bottles are sold every minute
- 91% of plastics are not recycled
- Over 1 million marine mammals die each year due to plastic debris in the ocean
- 93% of water bottles found microplastics contamination
- An average person ingests at least 50,000 particles of microplastics a year
That being said, a lot of commercial companies has already initiated to reduce or totally remove the use of plastic in their product or packaging. We can still do our part to help our planet before it is too late. (Also, help you save money, thank you)
- Stop using plastic straws and plastics containers, instead use metal straws and own recyclable containers
- Stop buying and using plastic water bottles but instead use your stainless steel or glass bottles
- Don’t forget to use your own recyclable bag when you go grocery shopping
- Store food in glass containers and metal tiffin carriers
A few ways to encourage people around you, family, friends, co-workers to join in this important initiative to reduce plastic usage, creating more awareness to hopefully be plastic free one day.
- Create awareness on your social media by sharing articles and facts
- Initiate a no-plastic gift giving at events and functions
- Educate your young ones on recycling and the importance of going plastic-free
- Initiate or join events to clean the beach and public areas
- Donate to organizations that are fighting to reduce plastic pollution
- Set up a community to help create awareness to public
It’s great that many companies have committed and initiated awareness campaign on reducing plastic usage by removing plastic packaging to their products and started recycling programs. Many individuals have followed suit by doing their part and one of them is Bobo&Boo. Originate from Australia, it is the creation from a passionate parent in providing chemical and toxin free dinnerware for your little ones starting solid and beyond. Bobo&Boo is a plant-based dinnerware made from natural, renewable and sustainable bamboo which are non-toxic. Minimalist, BPA free, environmentally friendly and dishwasher safe. Food-safe colorful and modern for everyday use, what’s not to love? Kid-friendly. Parent approved.
Good news to all parents - Bobo&Boo is now available in Malaysia, courtesy of Unison CA. Now you can purchase Bobo&Boo here. A variety of colors to choose from, curved lip design, easily stackable and most importantly, easy on your wallet. So, what are you waiting for? Order now before it runs out of stock.
