Plastic is a versatile material with many advantages, but its durability and harmful substances make it problematic when it ends up in nature. Reducing plastic use helps both the environment and health by reducing waste, climate impact and exposure to harmful chemicals. At the same time, it is important to choose recycled plastic and recycle correctly to minimize negative effects.
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There are several reasons for this, even though it should be said that plastic is an excellent material with many fine properties and sometimes plastic is the best option. Properly recycled and handled, plastic is an okay material, the problem is when it ends up in the wrong place.
Unfortunately, plastic's fine properties are sometimes also what makes it less good. For example, most plastics do not break down like other materials, things that are meant to be used for a very short time, a disposable lunch box, bag or mug can remain for several hundred years but are only used by us for a short time. The amount of plastic that ends up in nature on land or in the sea eventually becomes too large. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a "plastic island" in the Pacific Ocean is now the size of just over three times the surface area of Sweden.
Researchers warn that if we continue like this, there will soon be more plastic than fish in the oceans.
Another thing that makes plastic difficult is its content. There is of course good plastic but it can also contain harmful substances and it is very difficult for a consumer to know or find out exactly what our water bottle or toy contains, this is also a reason to reduce plastic use. By reducing plastic use, you also reduce exposure to these potentially harmful substances.
If you want to read more about how phthalates (often found in plastic) disrupt human hormone balance, there is more info about it here.
Science & Health: Chasing particles that damage hormone balance.
Reducing plastic use is therefore an important measure with several positive effects for both the environment and health.
Here are more reasons why many people and organizations strive to reduce their plastic use:
- * Plastic is often made from non-renewable raw materials, such as oil. By reducing plastic use, you contribute to reducing dependence on these finite resources and promoting the transition to renewable alternatives.
- * Climate impact: The production of plastic and waste management generates greenhouse gas emissions. By reducing plastic use, you can help reduce the overall climate impact.
- * Incentive for change: By individuals and companies actively choosing to reduce their plastic use, they send signals to manufacturers and decision-makers that there is a demand for sustainable alternatives. This can promote the development and use of more environmentally friendly materials.
In summary, reducing plastic use is a measure aimed at reducing the negative environmental and health impacts associated with excessive use of plastic. It is part of the broader global effort to promote sustainability and preserve the environment for future generations.
However, it is difficult to become completely plastic-free and some products are almost impossible to manufacture or package without plastic. The important thing then is that it is good plastic, preferably reused AND that you as a consumer sort and recycle the plastic correctly so that it does not end up in the wrong place.
Västerbottenssåpa refill bottles are for example made of POP, Prevented Ocean Plastic - plastic collected from beaches and coastal areas to prevent it from ending up in the oceans.
Recycle the small bottle as hard plastic and it will become a new bottle again and in this way we become a little better again.
Why aren't Västerbottenssåpa's bottles made of glass? That is a relevant question - the answer is that it would cause a lot more emissions due to heavier and more difficult transport with glass, in addition, glass is also a finite resource and there is actually a shortage of raw material for glass today. Then it is better that the glass bottles that are produced go to the food industry, we think. There is also a danger in cleaning with glass bottles, it is very easy for a glass bottle to break and you can seriously injure yourself on the shards.
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Questions and Answers
Why is it important to reduce plastic use?
Reducing plastic use is important because plastic does not break down quickly and can remain in nature for hundreds of years. It contributes to waste problems and harms wildlife, as the large "plastic island" in the Pacific Ocean shows. In addition, plastic can contain harmful chemicals that affect our health.
What is an example of how Västerbottenssåpa handles the plastic problem?
Västerbottenssåpa uses refill bottles made of POP (Prevented Ocean Plastic), which means that the plastic has been collected from beaches and coastal areas to prevent it from ending up in the oceans. These bottles can be recycled as hard plastic and become new bottles again.
Why doesn't Västerbottenssåpa use glass bottles instead of plastic?
Glass bottles would mean more emissions due to heavier and more difficult transport, and glass is also a finite resource. It is better that glass bottles go to the food industry where they are more necessary. In addition, glass bottles can be dangerous when cleaning if they break and shards spread.