Ways you can help beat plastic pollution this World Environment Day

The 5th of June is World Environment Day, a day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect the environment. This year, the aim is to come together in a global effort to #BeatPlasticPollution. It sounds great, but what does this really mean for us as individual consumers?

We all play a role in the health of the planet, because our individual choices drive industries, and can pave the way to where we want to be. By coming together, it removes the "us versus them" mentality and creates an inclusive movement, which focuses on things we can all do for a healthier, sustainable world. 

Understanding the plastic problem

Did you know that only 9% of plastic globally is recycled? Or that much of the plastic used cannot be recycled at all? Around 12% is incinerated, and the rest ends up in landfills or the ocean. Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most critical environmental challenges of our time. Plastic waste is choking our oceans, polluting our land, and adversely impacting wildlife. According to the United Nations, more than eight million tonnes of plastic waste end up in the oceans every year, harming human health and biodiversity. This crisis calls for immediate action to address the detrimental effects of plastic on our ecosystems, human health, and the planet as a whole.

Be part of the #BeatThePlastic Campaign

Plastic is everywhere. Almost every product we touch in our day-to-day lives is either made of plastic, has plastic in it, or came packaged in plastic. The #BeatThePlastic campaign is a call to action for individuals, communities, businesses, and governments worldwide to unite in combating plastic pollution. It encourages everyone to rethink their relationship with plastic and adopt sustainable alternatives to reduce plastic consumption and waste. The campaign aims to create awareness about the adverse effects of plastic pollution, mobilize people to take responsibility for their plastic footprint, and advocate for policies that promote a plastic-free future.

1. Embrace the 3 R's: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

Avoiding or reducing our consumption of single-use plastics is the most effective way to combat plastic pollution. Switching to reusable items such as coffee cups, bottles, straws, bags, batteries, razors, and sanitary items will help reduce the amount of waste you are creating. Buying these items might cost more upfront, but they are a valuable investment, as they will reduce your expenses in the long run and help the planet!

Reducing your purchases means only buying things you really need. As consumers, we are bombarded with ads that often cause impulse buys. Unfortunately, a lot of what we buy ends up in waste (about 540kg per person, per year!), increasing landfill and pollution. We can reduce our impact by looking for second-hand items first, choosing high-quality products that last (to avoid repurchasing something that might break easily), and supporting green businesses. If we look at the fashion industry alone, the average Australian purchases 27kg of new clothing and sends 23 kilograms of clothing to landfill every year.

When you need to dispose of an item, please dispose of them properly. For example, composting food waste, donating clothing or up-cycling textiles, recycling electronic waste and soft plastics, and learning what can go in the recycle bin. 

2. Spread awareness.

Many people are unaware of the issues of plastic pollution. Having open-minded conversations with them about the harmful effects of plastic pollution and giving easy examples on how to reduce their waste is a great way to help end the problems. Start by encouraging your friends, family, workplace, or local community to join the movement.

3. Support sustainable initiatives.

Choose to support businesses and organisations that are committed to reducing plastic waste. Look for companies that use eco-friendly packaging, offer refillable options, or actively participate in recycling programs. You can also reach out to brands you like asking them to reduce their waste by switching to plastic-free packaging.

4. Participate in clean-up events.

Get active in the community by take part in local beach, park, or street clean-up initiatives. By physically removing plastic and other waste from our environment, we contribute to a cleaner and healthier planet. If there are no events in your area, you can start by organising your own. The Clean-Up Australia crew have put together a guide on how to organise an events, can send you a clean-up kit, and provide tips on how to promote it.

5. Advocate for policy changes.

While every individual taking steps to reduce their waste is important, we also need to urge our local authorities and governments to implement policies that promote the reduction, recycling, and proper management of plastic and other waste. This could be creating proper recycling plants, helping businesses transition away from plastic, supporting bans on single-use plastics, and advocating for stricter regulations on plastic production and disposal.

Looking for more ways to help heal the planet?

1. Enjoy plant-based meals.

According to an Oxford study, eating a whole-food, vegan diet is the "single biggest way" to reduce our impact on the planet (PDF). Eating legumes, grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts can reduce an individual's carbon footprint from food by up to 73%! And you're also saving both wild and farmed animals' lives. If you're not sure what to make, we've put together a few of our favourite plant-based recipes to help you get started. 

You can take this one step further by planning meals, meal prepping, and only buying what you need, as these will all help reduce your food waste.

Let’s celebrate, protect, and restore the planet!

By reading this article, you are already one step closer in helping create real change for the planet. Learning about these important issues and adopting these simple new habits will pave the way for a sustainable world. Remember, we as consumers hold the power.

Animal Liberation’s mission is to permanently improve the lives of all animals through legislation, consumer advocacy, action, and education. We are a not-for-profit organisation and our work for the animals relies solely on support from generous people like you. Help keep our work alive by becoming a member today or making a donation gift.

Original publish date 5th June 2022.
Updated 29 May 2023.