We’re probably not aware of just how much plastic we use. Annually it comes to 100kg per person which is having a significant negative impact on the environment. With a busy social life, assignments and work, your plastic consumption is probably the last thing on your mind. But my time at University has taught me that there are plenty of easy changes I can make to my daily routine to be more sustainable, as well as cost-effective and healthier.
Why you should care
Single-use plastics have caused a dramatic increase in the amount of waste we produce, making up 50% of our 300 million tonnes of plastic waste a year. After anywhere between 20 and 1,000 years, plastic products break down into tiny particles called microplastics and release toxic chemicals, which ultimately contaminate ecosystems by making their way into food and water supplies.
Annually, countless animals are killed by plastic, dying from entanglement or starvation. Currently, marine litter is 60% to 80% plastic: its decomposition means that many sea creatures are, at one point or another, swallowing this seawater soup of toxic chemicals. If we continue as we are, by 2050 there may be more plastic in the ocean than fish.
Learning more about these issues has been a personal wake-up call for me: while I have always been environmentally conscious, it has opened my eyes to how much more I can and should be doing.
Reducing Your Use
With plastic bottles and cups one of the biggest sources of waste, there are several water refills stations across our campuses where you can fill up rather than buying a plastic bottle. You can view Coventry campus locations on a map, or download the app from refill.org to locate nearby places to top up wherever you are in the country. Reusable cups are also welcomed at campus catering outlets, with 20p off your drink whenever you use one.
You can also make a difference with how and what you shop for. Did you know the average plastic bag is used for 12 minutes but essentially lasts forever? Saying yes to reusable bags and taking them shopping with you is a simple and effective method of avoiding waste. I recommend carrying a foldable bag with you where possible, so you’ll be ready to pack at any time
Buying loose food, like fruit and vegetables can cut down on unnecessary packaging. If your nearest supermarket doesn’t offer this, try out vendors at Coventry Market or COGS Zero Waste Shop. There are also plastic free alternatives to traditional products that you can purchase when doing your next shop, look for loose-leaf tea, soap bars and beeswax wrapping paper.
Further Resources
You can learn more about how you can cut plastic out of your life using the resources below.
- Natural Resources Defence Council – Single Use Plastic 101
- World Resources Institute – How to Reduce Plastic and Other Ocean Pollution Simultaneously
- Twinkl – 20 Ways to Reduce Plastic Use At Home Checklist
- WWF – Ten Tips to Reduce Your Plastic Footprint
- Environmental Monitoring Solutions – Reducing Plastic Waste – Why is it important?
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation – Plastics and the Circular Economy
Will Kilmurray- Environment Team Student Ambassador