The low cost of production, lightness, adaptability, and strength are some of the elements that have contributed to the emergence of plastics as a packaging material par excellence. However, the areas of application have expanded over the years and perhaps the situation has got out of hand. As a matter of fact, a large quantity of this plastic is disposable and, if dispersed in the environment, can cause serious damage.
As 12th September marks the International Plastic Bag Free Day we have the opportunity to think more broadly about reducing plastic consumption in our daily lives, and especially single-use plastic. While a plastic bag can take 10 to 30 years to decompose, a bottle can take up to 450 years. This material also creates another problem, that is microplastics. These are very small plastic particles (less than 5 mm in size) that are dispersed into the environment due to improper disposal or that end up in the sea. When ingested by fish, they make their way up the food chain and onto our tables.
Back to the original purpose of the International Plastic Bag Free Day, the perfect alternative to plastic bags are fabric bags, which can be reused over and over (and also look better). For example, the Calida shopping bag is perfect for a trip to the seaside, so that you won’t collect sand, but also for grocery shopping.
When you are at the supermarket, you can do even more to be greener. For example, it is preferable to buy products in bulk: in this way, you can buy exactly the amount you need to avoid food waste (and unnecessary plastic packaging), as well as save money (it is estimated that pre-packaged fruit and vegetables can cost up to 40% more).
Paying attention to what we wear is also an essential step towards a more plastic-free lifestyle.
Part of the above-mentioned microplastics can result from washing your synthetic clothes: this is why it is best to choose clothing and accessories made from natural materials, such as organic cotton, eucalyptus, bamboo and many others. This will not only limit damage to the environment during their life cycle, but also later when disposing of them. Among these are Womsh's sneakers, whose vegan line is made from apple skin and is an excellent example of reusing industrial waste, or Calida's 100% NATURE panties in Tencel, which are 100% biodegradable and can therefore be disposed of in the organic waste.
Alternatively, you can support projects that aim to recycle, or even upcycle, the plastic already produced. One example are Lefrik's backpacks, bags and cases, made from recycled plastic bottles. Another case is that of Ecoalf: with its foundation, it is committed to recovering marine plastic waste and transforming it into a high-quality yarn, without having to ask the planet for new resources.
It's true that plastic is practically everywhere, but at the same time you only have to look around to find good alternatives!
Discover our products for a plastic-free lifestyle online or in store! We are waiting for you!