Living in the modern world has brought us many comfortable amenities we couldn’t have imagined just a few decades ago. Unfortunately, the convenience comes at a hefty price tag, and we’re all participants in it. Trashed is a wakeup call for all of us who have been too comfortable with our wasteful habits. Here are three topics for you to consider:
The Plight of our Oceans
Many of us mistakenly assume that plastic waste disappears or decomposes once thrown away. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The biggest problem with plastic is that it doesn’t biodegrade at all. Almost every piece of plastic that has ever been produced still exists in our environment, in some form. Much of it ends up in our oceans, where it wreaks havoc on our marine life. Plastic pollution affects not only fish, seabirds, and marine mammals but also humans, who consume these creatures. Every year, over 8 million tons of plastic enter the oceans. Yet, we can all take simple steps to reduce our plastic usage: carrying a reusable water bottle and shopping bag, and avoiding single-use plastic packaging altogether.
Inequality and Poverty in Waste Management
The impact of our wasteful lifestyle extends beyond the environment. Industrialized countries often ship their waste overseas, where impoverished countries and communities bear the brunt of the problem. These countries receive the waste we can’t or won’t process, and often dispose of it in suboptimal conditions, affecting local livelihoods and public health. This unfair cycle of waste disposal leads to an exacerbation of the inequalities and poverty that already exist in many countries. As you chuck something into the bin, consider what happens to it afterward.
The Importance of Taking Action
It’s easy to feel powerless when it comes to something as monumentally global as waste production. However, every individual action, no matter how small, makes a difference. It’s easy to forget that the current waste crisis was caused by our collective inaction in the past. Therefore, taking action and making conscious decisions every day is paramount. Individual behaviour change is one of the best ways to achieve a lasting, positive impact in waste reduction. Participating in recycling initiatives, repairing old items, and reducing single-use plastic consumption are all great everyday actions that contribute to this important cause.
In conclusion, it’s essential that we all start to take responsibility for the waste we produce if we want to ensure a sustainable future for our planet. We can all make small changes in our daily lives to reduce our impact, and together, they can add up to make a huge difference. The environment is not something that can wait; we need to act fast if we want to prevent a catastrophe. Trashed is a call to action to all of us. Let’s answer that call.