Did you know?

Every year, about 8 million tons of plastic waste escapes into the oceans from coastal nations.... _{plastic pollution facts}

How did plastic become a pollutant?

Our life is surrounded by plastic. From our bottle shampoo, to our smartphone even our laptop, all contains some form of plastic. These days, it's almost impossible to avoid plastic because its component is useful for many of our appliances. However, as the society progress, we are also exposed to the dark side of plastic.

Plastic is durable,cost-saving for mass consumption,and convenient.Yet, its lifespan isn't short. Plastic is non-biodegradable which means, it could persist in our environment for years and is not readily to be composted_{non-biodegradable plastic}. Plastic finds its way to the ocean from mismanagement in coastal area and insecure landfills. The plastic that reaches the oceans potentially harms marine life and even our life.

As of 2015, it was reported that packaging is the sector which produce the most plastic than any other sectors.

Individually, this is where we can make actual changes to reduce plastic and minimize plastic pollution. Some of packaging are unavoidable but that doesn't mean we have to ignore other things that could be reduced.

During my school year, I was always going to school which imposes environmentally friendly curriculum. It means, the school teaches the students to be environmentally aware through practical and tangible activities involving 3R reducing, re-cyling and reusing. For example, the canteen removes plastic bag and minimize plastic packaging replacing it with banana leaves. There was monthly contest on fashion recycling, cleanliness, and many more. Through this, I have always been conscious about environmental problems. Professionally, I have been freelancing in environmental sector for about a year in a project that deals with waste management. However, even with these involvement, I am not someone who screams about it everywhere as I'd rather start something from myself and let people follow if they think it's good.

Here are 5 easy tips to minimize plastic pollution

Use cloth shopping bag

In Indonesia, plastic bag has an extra cost. So, not only you are saving the environment, you are also saving extra pennies. Cloth shopping bag is better than plastic because you can reuse it many times. You can wash it and it lasts even longer than plastic bag.

Try to opt-out from plastic cutlery

Whether it's takeout or dine in, try to opt out from plastic cutlery. I know, some packaging is unavoidable but the opt-in like plastic cutlery is something you might need to tick on. Even when you are out dining with the family, if they use plastic ware, it would be much better bringing your own cutlery. My favorite is wooden/stainless steel cutlery set.

Avoid plastic straws

Interestingly restaurants these days use bamboo, glass or steel straws. They are slowly changing from using plastic to more durable options. It's also becoming increasingly trendy for many of us to use non-plastic straws. This is a good thing that people are slowly reducing their plastic straw use.

Reusable bottle, boxes and cups

If you love drinking water, coffee or eating out, reusable packaging is for you. Throughout the year of my travel, I have always brought reusable water bottle. This has helped me saved money whilst also reducing my plastic waste. For coffee, I would rather sit in the cafe than having to do takeaway coffee.

Recycle plastic packaging

If it's unavoidable to receive plastic, try to recycle it. Sometimes, I use plastic bottle as holders or re-using it for home use. I also re-use plastic lunch boxes as storage. It's just the matter of being creative with the plastic we have.

Plastic form	Replacement

_{Source : Unsplash}

I also invite @ailindigo to check out Ladies of hive community and perhaps joining this challenge.