Can we stop using Plastics? Costa Rica thinks so!

Plastics is one of the most versatile, robust and durable materials created in the modern era, which at the same time makes it the worst thing ever made.

Plastics; The worst environmental issue of our time.

The durability of plastic items makes it very hard to break down in nature. Plastic is making life in the oceans for marine life even worse. While it may seem like plastic breaks down in the oceans, it does not. Items erode and break down into smaller and smaller particles, called Microplastics.

Every creature in the sea will end up with some plastic in them; some even end up with so much plastic that they will be unable to decent again. There have been cases where turtles have been found, with so many plastic items in their stomach that they can't swim naturally anymore.

As you all remember from learning in your early years, small animals get eaten by larger animals. Everyone eats the smaller ones. As the chain goes on, larger and larger animals accumulate plastics in their body; making the concentration even worse. Large whales feed by taking large "gulps" of water in and filtering it, but it can't filter out plastics!

In the end, the humans are the one that eats food with plastics!

Health Impact

The plastics have been observed to have health impacts on us as humans as well. Even using a normal, fresh, plastic bottle from the store will release small micro plastics during usage. It will end up in the body, causing bad health.

What can we do?

Be smart, think ahead

We can think another time before we go out, and bring tap water with us instead of buying that plastic bottle on the trip. Purchase a metal can for your water, tea or coffee needs. We can try to use as little plastic as possible, something that can be challenging and even shocking when you look around. You may not have realized how much is plastics that just gets trashed.

See the infogram on the left for more tips.

Country wide ban

Costa Rica has set a countrywide ban on single-use plastics by 2021, in just four years! Their goal is to be the first country in the world to have a country-wide strategy to eliminate single-use plastics.

They have already achieved their goal to be 100% renewable energy powered, another of their goals to become carbon neutral.

“Single-use plastics are a problem not only for Costa Rica but also for the whole world. It is estimated that if the current consumption pattern continues, by 2050 there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish—measured by weight. For this reason, we began our journey to turn Costa Rica into a single-use plastic-free zone. It’s a win-win for all: Costa Rica, the people, and the planet.”

A joint statement from Environment and Energy Minister Edgar Gutiérrez, Health Minister María Esther Anchía, and UNDP Costa Rica resident representative Alice Shackelford

Go out, do good, be smart and use less plastic

Plastic is part of our life, but we can use less. Put pressure on producers!

Be smart, use alternatives and think ahead when you buy or travel.


Documentary; A Plastic Ocean

I can highly recommend the documentary A Plastic Ocean.

This documentary takes us on a highly emotional journey to an ocean full of life, and plastics. The struggle of the ones that work with this every day and see how animal suffer from the lack of care from humans.

We visit one scientist that work with documenting the amounts of plastic in the stomachs of dead birds, something that can make anyone weep.

Highly recommended, and available to any Netflix subscriber.

This Article is Part of My “Donate Together” Series

This post is part of my Donate Together Series. Where I write articles on current topics that also seek donations for their caus. Together we can change the world, while educating ourselves. After the rewards is paid out I will supply a Proof of Donations.

Within a week of the payment date of this post, I will donate the equal amount of its value in USD to the Plastic Ocean Foundation.

Donate to the Plastic Oceans Foundation today, support a plastic free ocean.

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