Happy Halloween!


Scientists predict there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050 – And that’s probably the scariest Halloween story…..ever.



So what can you individually do to help out with this big problem. Actually a lot…. National Geographic’s Planet or Plastic gives a lot of tips on how you can make an impact today. It starts with the little things. Then eventually, and hopefully the majority will think and act, and then that will lead to corporations changing their production to a better and more sustainable material than this massive amount of single-use plastic that is being used every single day.




On this photo ICC - International Coastal Cleanup shows the most common items found in the ocean. 
They all are single use products.........

 Article:
https://www.ecowatch.com/beach-litter-plastics-ocean-conservancy-2581760475.html



The two biggest actions that a lot of people already are doing and that is put a lot of emphasis on are as I mentioned last week: Plastic Bottles and Plastic bags.
The amount of plastic bottles that are being used annually in only America reaches to 50 Billion!! Where the recycling rate was only 23%...wonder where the rest ends up….

I am grown up in Sweden where we don’t have the same type of plastic bottle consumption than in America, and other countries. You will rarely see a person drink bottled water. We only drink water from the tap. Of course we drink soda, and a lot of sparkling water, but the biggest amount of plastic bottles in America come from the water bottles, since you need water daily.

The world is trying to make it easier to recycle. In Sweden I was grown up with when going to the grocery store, we always brought the plastic bottles we had at the house and recycled the bottles for money. I know there are stations like that here in America as well, but it is something that should be available in every grocery and convenience store! You know, for the convenience….
Companies are now trying to keep up with this huge environmental problem, which is good. When the giants come up with new ideas, the smaller businesses will follow and hopefully the world won’t give up til the plastic waste is gone from the ocean.

This website is pretty cool and useful, it helps you find recycling stations near you.
Earth911 Recycling Center Search
Imagine going on a vacation after a lot of hard work, and this is what the beach looks like.....


Some large companies that are taking actions are for example Starbucks. They are eliminating single-use plastic straws globally by 2020. Instead they are introducing new lids, and creating plastic-free straws. Other companies that innovates new products from recycled plastic are for example, Patagonia, Nike and Adidas.

Here are other major companies that use recycled bottles in their products.....
https://www.businessinsider.com/products-made-from-recycled-plastic-2018-8



I think this is really cool and I would probably tell all my friends that they're made from recycled bottles if I had them, or when I have them......



So, if you’re looking to start a business you can collect plastic and sell to companies that will create new material out of it. It’s the future, you’re welcome.



When it comes to plastic bags, a lot of stores will have you buy a plastic bag. In Sweden for example, this is the case at every grocery and clothing store right now! And it really works! You don’t want to spend a quarter for every plastic bag. Instead you will buy maybe one, and put the rest of the things you buy in the bag that you already have. The ultimate thing though is to bring a reusable bag beforehand.
What needs to be done is for the grocery stores here to do that as well. Everytime I go to Walmart or Big Y they will pack the groceries in these small thin plastic bags, and sometimes with ONE ITEM IN ONE BAG, and you walk out of there with at least 3 plastic bags every time.
Conclusion to this is that corporations and individuals need to help each other out. If we individuals don’t take that straw for our drink for example, the corporations will not produce the same amount of straws eventually, but at the same time the corporations need to at the same time work on new sustainable materials for other products that we can’t just skip. Or at least not at the very second. It takes adaptation.

This was it for today, and no you don’t have to read any article or watch a video this time.
Happy Halloween! 

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