Environmental Factors

An estimated one trillion bags are used and discarded world wide every year. Australia alone contributes to five billion of this with only three percent of the bags being recycled. As a result, approximately eight million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean, equivalent to five grocery bags filled with plastic for every foot of coastline in the world. If you were to take a walk on the beach anywhere in the world, you are more than likely to find some form of plastic debris. 

The victims are our marine life. Thousands of marine mammals and seabirds are suffering from entanglement and ingestion of plastic debris. When the animals die and decay, the plastic is free again to repeat the deadly cycle. Marine biologist David Barnes explains in the British Antarctic Survey that plastic is not just an aesthetic problem, but it can actually change the entire ecosystems. 

So, what can you do to make a difference? Instead of buying rubbish bags for your bins at home, recycle your plastic shopping bags for your rubbish. If you find this difficult or inconvenient, don't fret! Many grocery stores have a bin or box specifically for your bags so they can recycle for you. This is usually found at the front of the store. When you find yourself out shopping, refrain from using plastic bags and instead resort to reusable ones. Luckily, you can find some stylish totes here for that purpose! This is the most effective way to reduce the number of plastic bags polluting the environment. 

If you would like to learn more about plastics polluting our environment, here are some links to great organisations for the cause: 

http://plastic-pollution.org/

http://www.cleanup.org.au/

http://plasticfreesea.com.au/

https://www.greenpeace.org/