International Plastic Bag Free Day is observed globally on July 3rd every year. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness among people about the harm caused by the use of plastic bags and to encourage them to avoid their usage.
The thin plastic bags that we bring home with every purchase, big or small, have become a slow poison for our planet. While plastic bags are undoubtedly cheap and convenient, their adverse effects on the environment are extremely dangerous.
Plastic Bags: A Major Global Problem
Have you ever thought about how many plastic bags you use in a year? According to an estimate, approximately 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide every year, and very few of them are recycled.
We generally use a plastic bag for only 20 to 25 minutes, but these bags remain on the earth for 100 to 500 years. This means that the plastic bags we throw away today can become a permanent burden for our future generations.
Impact on the Environment and Animals
- More than 100 species of seabirds have ingested plastic.
- Cases of plastic ingestion have been reported in 31 marine animals.
- More than 250 species have died after getting entangled in plastic.
Plastic goes into the ocean, where it absorbs toxic chemicals. These chemicals enter the bodies of fish and other marine animals and then, through our food, enter our own bodies.
How to Celebrate International Plastic Bag Free Day?
1. Stop Using Plastic Bags
Whenever you go to the market, carry cloth, jute, or canvas bags with you. Some stores even offer discounts for bringing your own bags.
2. Make Your Own Bag
Make reusable bags at home from old clothes, denim, or discarded sheets. These will not only be stylish but also completely eco-friendly.
3. Educate Your Friends and Family
Share information about the harms of plastic bags on social media. Use hashtags like #PlasticBagFreeDay.
4. Participate in Cleaning Campaigns
Contribute to cleaning the beaches, lakes, parks, or your neighborhood. If you cannot go yourself, donate to an organization involved in cleaning campaigns.
5. Encourage Customers
If you own a shop, stop providing plastic bags and encourage customers to bring their own bags. Offer them reusable bags.
History of Plastic Bag Free Day
This day was initiated in 2009 by European environmental organizations – Zero Waste Europe, Bag Free World, and the Break Free From Plastic movement. Their aim was to rid the world of single-use plastic bags.
Today, it has become a global environmental campaign in which millions of people and organizations are participating.
Why is Freedom from Plastic Necessary?
- Biodiversity is threatened due to plastic.
- Species trapped in plastic may become extinct.
- The sand on the beaches is no longer natural; it is mixed with plastic.
- Plastic bags are disrupting ecosystems by transporting invasive species from one place to another.
International Plastic Bag Free Day reminds us that the use of plastic bags is a major threat to our earth and marine life. We must immediately stop using plastic bags and protect the environment by adopting reusable alternatives. Small steps can bring about big changes.
