Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Each year, millions of tons of plastic waste end up in landfills, rivers, and oceans, causing significant harm to wildlife, ecosystems, and even human health. In this opinion editorial, I, Nicole Sherwin, founder of Eco Diva Natural, share four key ways you can help reduce single-use plastic in your life.
Plastic Free July – a catalyst for changing single-use plastic
In the face of this growing crisis, initiatives like Plastic-Free July have emerged as powerful catalysts for change. This blog aims to shed light on the importance of Plastic-Free July and its impact on the planet, as well as provide practical tips for individuals and businesses to embrace a plastic-free lifestyle.
What is Plastic-Free July?
Plastic-Free July is a global movement that encourages people to choose alternatives to single-use plastic throughout July. The annual initiative, which originated in Western Australia in 2011, has now gained widespread recognition and participation worldwide.
By promoting awareness and action, Plastic-Free July aims to inspire individuals, businesses, and communities to reduce their plastic consumption and find sustainable alternatives.
The Environmental Impact of Plastic
Plastic pollution poses severe threats to the environment, biodiversity, and human well-being. Plastics take hundreds of years to break down, resulting in long-lasting pollution that contaminates water bodies, harms marine life, and disrupts ecosystems.
From entangled marine animals to microplastics entering our food chain, the consequences are far-reaching. By participating in Plastic-Free July, individuals contribute to reducing plastic waste and preserving the delicate balance of our planet.
Why we need to reduce to rid ourselves of plastic
Here are four key impacts single plastic use has on our livelihoods.
- Conservation of Natural Resources: By reducing plastic consumption, we conserve precious natural resources used in the production of plastics, such as petroleum and natural gas. This leads to a more sustainable and resource-efficient society.
- Protection of Wildlife: Plastic debris often entangles and suffocates marine animals, causing injury and death. By reducing single-use plastic and choosing plastic-free alternatives, we help protect vulnerable species and preserve marine ecosystems.
- Preservation of Ecosystems: Plastic waste not only pollutes bodies of water, but also disrupts ecosystems on land. By reducing plastic usage, we safeguard the biodiversity and balance of delicate ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and grasslands.
- Climate Change Mitigation: The production and disposal of plastic contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change. Opting for plastic-free alternatives reduces carbon footprints, helping mitigate the effects of global warming.
4 Tips to Help You Embrace a Plastic-Free Lifestyle
#1 Reduce Single-Use Plastic
Swap disposable items like water bottles, shopping bags, and cutlery for reusable alternatives. Bring your reusable bags and bottles when you go shopping or out for a drink.
# 2 Choose Sustainable Packaging
Support businesses that use minimal or eco-friendly packaging. Look for products with recyclable or compostable packaging options, reducing the demand for single-use plastics.
#3 Rethink Your Grocery Shopping
Opt for unpackaged fruits and vegetables or use reusable produce bags. Buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste, and choose products with minimal or no plastic packaging.
#4 Spread Awareness
Share your Plastic-Free July journey on social media, using hashtags like #PlasticFreeJuly. Encourage friends, family, and colleagues to join the movement and start making conscious choices.
About the author
Nicole Sherwin is the founder of Eco Diva Natural. Nicole’s passion for health, wellness, and environmental awareness was inspired by a lifetime mentorship from her father, Homeopath, Naturopath, and Acupuncturist Dr. Philip Sherwin.
She was raised vegetarian, having never eaten meat and consciously chooses a plant-based diet. As an environmental advocate working in Los Angeles for 6 years, Nicole founded The Green Lounge Experience, a carbon-neutral, eco-luxury event, and expo hosted in both Los Angeles and New York.
Nicole consulted with many Hollywood leaders in entertainment for various Academy Awards events and Hollywood parties. Nicole was also brought in to green James Cameron’s Avatar Blu-ray DVD launch & turn it into a carbon-neutral event.
In 2014, Nicole founded Eco Diva Natural, a proudly South African, luxury organic skincare brand formulated with key vitamins (A, C, E), squalene, hyaluronic acid, and many superfoods that the skin requires, to heal itself daily.
Through a supercharged vegan, cruelty-free skincare regime, a radiant healthy skin glow begins to develop, and the balancing of skin conditions such as sensitivity, acne, rosacea, pigmentation, premature aging, and psoriasis. All products are safe for pregnancy and for use on all human skin, even babies.
