On top of everything else, the Covid-19 pandemic has, in many ways, forced us to return to single-use plastic. We saw a rise in the use of disposable face coverings, takeaway coffee cups and throwaway polystyrene food containers, which has increased pressure on an already serious plastic waste problem.
The impacts of plastic waste on our environment and our health are well-documented; we have seen the devastating images brought to our screens by programmes such as Blue Planet II. Single-use plastics are more likely to end up in our rivers and oceans – it’s estimated that there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish by 2050 - and microplastics can find their way into our food.
We must also be careful when considering switching to other types of plastic. Degradable plastic may sound good, but all this means is that it breaks down into smaller pieces of plastic - which are still damaging to the environment. Although biodegradable plastic offers the benefit of breaking down in nature, there is no timeframe for its decomposition. Neither of these types of plastic are suitable for recycling or composting in Suffolk and will have to be placed in your rubbish bin.
I want to stress that not all plastics are inherently bad. When properly used and recycled, plastics can play a part in our efforts towards a more sustainable way of living. But we must reassess our relationship with the kind of cheap, throwaway plastic that has become so commonplace – products which have a lifespan of hours, or even mere minutes.
That’s why it’s time for us to break up with single-use plastic – to say “I’m sorry. It’s not me, it’s you.”
You can join thousands across Suffolk who are changing their relationship to plastic by:
- Using a reusable water bottle and coffee cup
- Choosing beeswax wraps and reusable tubs instead of clingfilm
- Opting for loose fruit and veg to cut down on excessive packaging, with the bonus being that this is often cheaper than pre-packaged alternatives
- Carrying reusable shopping bags and reusable cloth bags for loose items
- Buying metal straws and portable cutlery to reduce your reliance on disposable alternatives
- Shopping at retailers which offer product refills if you take your own container
At Suffolk County Council, we are committed to cracking down on plastic waste as part of our ongoing ambition to be the greenest county and as such have phased out single-use plastic in all our offices. Protecting and enhancing Suffolk’s environment and biodiversity remains a priority for us and we hope to lead by example to encourage our residents and other organisations to do the same.
And where we cannot avoid plastic, we should remember to reuse and recycle when we can.
An analysis of the make-up of Suffolk’s recycling bins, carried out by Suffolk Recycling, found that over half of the waste in our bins could have been reduced or recycled. We must all do our part to ensure that recyclable materials are placed in the appropriate bin, and not thrown away at a greater cost. Many items that can’t be recycled at home, such as wood, electricals, and hard plastics, can be taken to one of Suffolk’s recycling centres. More and more supermarkets now also offer collection points for soft recycling, enabling you to easily dispose of your bread bags and chocolate wrappers while doing your weekly shop.
Likewise, we must ensure that we are not putting the wrong items into our recycling bins. In 2021, Suffolk Waste Partnership found that 20 per cent of our recycling waste had to be rejected each year because of contamination from products such as nappies, food waste, cartons, and textiles. If you are not sure, it is always best to check. Suffolk Recycling have a handy A to Z guide on their website at suffolkrecycling.org.uk.
Of course, we can also create less waste in the first place by purchasing things second hand, allowing us to reuse items that have already been producing and reducing the amount we all throw away. Doing so also reduces packaging, as many brand-new products are often wrapped in plastic. The best part? Buying used is likely to be much cheaper, saving both pounds and the planet.
It's time for us to dump disposables and move on to a more healthy, sustainable relationship with reusable and recyclable products.
