Plastic, its all-pervasive presence bears ineffable pros, however, as convenient as it may seem, has led to the staggering amount of unbearable waste and landfills that our planet and its inhabitants struggle with. Reflecting on this issue and the damage it has done to our environment I have no choice but to audit my lifestyle and reduce my plastic footprint.
My awareness of plastic pollution began way back in 2017 when the Kenyan Government banned the use of single plastic bags. Being naïve and of no knowledge of the dangers of plastic, I was sceptical about this move. But curiosity held me sway and decided to do some research of my own, became an environment enthusiast and any show or documentary did not pass me unchecked.
The perils of plastic
Seeing how marine life and animals would be entangled in plastic and the fact that plastic particles infiltrate the food chain were horrifying. This is not all, plastic contains chemicals such as flame retardants which when consumed can lead to reproductive problems and the development of disorders in children. Microplastics found mostly in human organs are the main culprits that cause inflammation and cellular damage. Indecorous disposal and burning of plastic waste pollutes the air with toxic pollutants such as dioxins and furans only to mention a few which when inhaled lead to respiratory diseases and in extreme cases even cancer. This was it, I had to change my ways.
Ways in which I used to manage plastic waste were
Having this new resolution in mind, I had to adopt an unusual conduct and this meant that I had to pore over my lifestyle. As a bachelor on campus, I regularly used single-use plastics and it was startling how much of these environmental ‘bombs’ I had used, starting from plastic bottles to packaging and disposable cutlery. Save our environment meant switching to reusable alternatives; investing in a sturdy water bottle, stainless steel cutlery and discounting on junk which was either wrapped or carried in single-use plastic containers. These changes as minute as they may seem, reduced my consumption of plastic substantially.
Other practices I adopted were recycling and embracing the circular economy. For recycling, I ensured that plastic jars such as peanut butter jars, biscuit jars and other plastic jars I used were upcycled, labelled and used for storing ingredients or spices. This was also economical as I initially wasted a lot of money on salt shakers which kept on disappearing. Embracing the circular economy meant purchasing materials designed to be reused, recycled or repaired, keeping them as long as possible and extracting maximum value before recuperating and regenerating these products at the end of their life cycle.
Personal and cleaning products were not spared either. Switching to soap bars and shampoo bars was at the frontier, which ruled out the need for plastic bottles.
Reflecting on my journey
As easy as this practice may seem, constant vigilance and willingness to change long-ingrained habits are indispensable. Every single time I refuse to use a plastic bag I am reminded that small actions account for big changes as the Swahili proverb suggests “Haba na Haba Hujaza Kibaba”.
In conclusion
My endeavour to reduce plastic waste has been a life-changing experience as it has heightened my need for sustainable living and awareness of environmental issues. By sharing this, I hope to encourage others to take similar steps and contribute to a cleaner and healthier planet. Together, we can tackle plastic pollution and create a future where the beauty of our natural world is preserved for generations to come.