Did you know that plastic waste takes half a millennium to start decomposing? This material is considered one of the most polluting in the environment, and its use time is minimal, making it completely unnecessary.
These include straws, cups, cotton buds, cutlery, , bags, sanitary pads, bottles, among other utensils that are used for seconds and then discarded, causing pollution of seas, rivers and creating problems for fauna and flora, and especially marine animals. It is estimated that plastic waste causes the death of more than one million birds and another 100,000 marine mammals every year. In Brazil, approximately one fifth of the waste is made up of packaging, 25,000 tons of which end up in the oceans every year. days, in the garbage dumps. This volume would fill more than two thousand garbage trucks, which, placed one after the other, would occupy almost 20 kilometers of road. In other words, packaging, when consumed excessively and discarded regularly or irregularly – instead of being sent for recycling – contributes greatly to the depletion of landfills and dumps, hinders the degradation of other waste, is ingested by animals causing their death, pollute the landscape, cause problems in the electrical grid (bags that get caught in high-voltage wires), and many other types of environmental impacts.
(Source: Ministry of the Environment) Thinking about this globalized problem, in 2011, the
Earth Carers Waste Education team in Australia created the
Plastic Free July campaign, with the aim of minimizing the use of the material and raising awareness among the population about the pollution it causes. is caused by the use of plastic. Today, the initiative has become an NGO and has taken global directions, reaching more than 150 countries.
You can sign up for the official campaign on the website , and every week of the month, the organizers send out tips on how to live without plastic. The campaign aims to encourage non-use and spread information during the month of July, and hopes that this will have repercussions throughout the year. Below we list some of the small daily actions that can make all the difference to the environment:
- Always carry a stainless steel or glass bottle to avoid plastic water bottles;
- Always have a cup or mug to avoid disposable items;
- Say no to straws or always have a reusable one in your bag;
- When shopping, take an ecobag instead of using plastic bags;
- Use cotton buds only if really necessary (because they are bad for your ears) and always choose those with paper stems.
- Refuse receipt or 2nd copy of purchase on card.
Today, there are many options for replacing plastic, and several companies are specializing in these products to promote and spread sustainability in society's daily life. One of these sustainable and
eco-friendly brands is
b.live , which offers glass straws. and stainless steel, Menos 1 Lixo cups, bamboo brushes, cotton and ecological loofahs that have zero environmental impact and are the best substitutes for plastic. The company is super new and has achieved unexpected goals, proving that people are increasingly concerned with the planet and waste management.
b.live operates on Instagram with beautiful, quality products, and is a content partner of
CASACOR São Paulo .
Another brand that will be present at
CASACOR Minas Gerais is
Mentah , responsible for the production of a glass straw that will avoid the use of plastic throughout the event. The company emerged from a movement originating in Rio de Janeiro, valuing life sustainable and contributing to the reduction of plastic waste in everyday life. Because it is transparent and wider than normal, the straw is washable and sterilizable at high temperatures. Visitors to CASACOR Minas Gerais will be able to purchase the utensil, which comes with a sanitizing brush and protective fabric cover.
