Single-use plastics are an increasing issue around the world, and governments are taking proactive steps to reduce their prevalence. New Zealand made a bold move in 2018 when it became the first country in the world to ban single-use plastic bags. Following this trend, France aims to become the first major European nation to put an end to single-use plastics.
The effects of plastic on our environment are far-reaching and devastating, with it polluting land, water and air, as well as posing a threat to wildlife. Plastic takes hundreds of years to break down, meaning that many generations will have to live with its presence in our environment if nothing is done about it.
This is encouraging news for environmentalists, who hope their efforts can be replicated across other nations so we can tackle this global problem soon.
What Was the First Country To Ban Plastic Plates and Cutlery?
France has recently taken a pioneering step in the fight against plastic pollution by becoming the first country to pass legislation banning all non-compostable plastic plates, cups, and utensils.
This new law, which was created in 2016, and will go into effect in 2020, is part of the nation's Energy Transition for Green Growth Act, which sought to reduce reliance on plastic products. Exceptions will be made for items made from biodegradable or compostable materials.
The move follows a ban on plastic shopping bags that was implemented in July and is another part of the country's green growth act. This is especially pertinent considering that approximately 4.73 billion plastic goblets were discarded in France in 2015 alone, with 17 billion plastic bags used that same year in supermarkets across the nation.
This law should put an end to France's reliance on disposable plastic wares, thereby significantly reducing the number of harmful materials released into the environment over time. It also serves as an example for other countries looking to make their own transitions towards greener practices.
France is now one of the few places to outlaw single-use bags in grocery stores, joining other countries that have also taken action against plastic waste. This comprehensive ban on non-compostable plastics is an important milestone in reducing our dependence on disposable plastics and encouraging the use of sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives.
What Does France Use Instead?
Restaurants with the capacity to serve more than 20 customers at a time are now required to switch from single-use items to reusable plates, cups, and cutlery. All burgers and sandwiches will no longer be presented in boxes, but instead, they will be served in paper wrappers.
Hard plastics will replace any cardboard or paper containers that were once used to contain the other food items such as nuggets, pizzas, cakes, and ice creams. This transition requires restaurants to have sufficient preparation time for the changeover.
In order to further reduce plastic pollution and wastefulness, this new law is a key step toward having an eco-friendly dining experience that cuts down on the amount of disposable materials used.
What Are the Benefits of Banning Plastics?
When it comes to the discussion of banning single-use plastic, there are countless benefits. There are two large benefits of banning plastics, which we will go over in more detail below.
Less Microplastics
Microplastics have become an increasingly concerning issue, with their prevalence in the food, water, and air we consume. A recent study has shown that humans may be ingesting up to a credit card amount of microplastics every week.
These tiny particles of plastic pose a serious risk to our health, as some plastic additives and chemicals found in microplastics have been linked to interference with brain development, disruption of the hormone system, and even cancer or birth defects.
While it is important to reduce the use of single-use plastics, individuals should also be aware of their consumption of food or beverages that might contain microplastics in order to limit their exposure. It is crucial for governments and organizations around the world to take further action to reduce plastic waste and eliminate microplastics from our environment.
Marine Life Will Be Protected
Let's face it, every year, a startling amount of plastic enters our oceans. This plastic is devastating marine life in numerous ways, like entanglement, blocked digestive tracts, disease transmission, and the leaching of harmful compounds into their environments.
Estimates suggest that this amount of plastic equates to five grocery bags of plastic per foot of coastline around the world annually. Every species of sea turtle and almost half of all seabird and marine mammal species have ingested some form of plastic waste.
Even more disheartening is the stomach contents found in two recently deceased whales; one had 88 pounds and the other had 64 pounds of trash in their systems, mostly consisting of plastics. We must take action against this global crisis as soon as possible if we want to save our beloved oceanic wildlife from extinction due to human-caused pollution.
Other Benefits
Apart from the two benefits mentioned above, countless more benefits come with banning single-use plastics, and plastic bags. Plastic bag bans, similar to what France has already done, are beneficial to the economy, consumers, and the environment.
They reduce the costs of goods for shoppers by eliminating plastic bags and redirecting tax money to more important areas rather than dealing with plastic litter. Bans also reduce the need for petroleum, thus decreasing our dependence on the limited non-renewable resource.
Additionally, eliminating plastic bags will reduce the amount of litter in our environment as well as lessen pollution in oceans, rivers, farmlands, cities, and neighborhoods. Lastly, drainage infrastructures run more efficiently when plastic litter is minimized due to its clogging capabilities, which can lead to unnecessary flooding.
In conclusion, banning plastic bags, single-use plastic plates, and cutlery positively impacts the economy by providing new job opportunities, saving consumers money while shopping, and helping reduce pollution that would otherwise harm us and our environment.
Join Tru Earth In the Movement to Save Our Planet!
At Tru Earth, we are committed to making the world a better place. Our mission to reduce the number of plastic jugs in landfills has been a resounding success. In just over a year, our community has managed to prevent 8,600,382 jugs from ending up in landfills.
This is a true testament to the power of collective action and how we can make meaningful changes when we work together. We have been able to raise awareness about sustainability and help set a great example for others who wish to emulate us. Our initiative has proven that even small individual actions can lead to large-scale environmental improvements.
Our impact has been significant, with us eliminating more than 8 million jugs from landfills since April 2019 alone. Our efforts are sure to have a lasting effect on our environment and provide inspiration for future generations on how they too can protect their planet from waste pollution.
