life & style // no. 12 theotherpress.ca

Easy strategies
to reduce single-
use pollution

» Getting used to plastic reduction

Jerrison Oracion
Senior Columnist

 

mall products can lead to big problems.

This is definitely the case when it comes
to the amount of pollution that is in the
environment, especially in our oceans.

Most of that pollution comes

from single-use plastics—and unlike
compostable products, they take a very
long time to break down, so they end up
filling the oceans. When plastic does break
down, it degrades into microplastics that
cannot be seen by the naked eye. Then,

microorganisms such as plankton eat them.

Larger predators will then eat the plankton,
and so on and so forth up the food chain
until it eventually reaches humans. The
problem is that these microplastics build
up and become toxic—harming both
people and the ecosystem.

The United Nations is currently
doing an initiative called the Clean Seas
campaign to help clean out and preserve
the ocean for future generations. Ten
countries—including Canada—are
involved in the initiative, and one of the
biggest steps to reducing pollution is
phasing out single-use products. Examples
of single-use plastics are personal care
products, plastic bags, and straws.

Progress was made when
microplastics were removed from personal
care products like toothpaste and facial
scrubs. However, the next big step is
reducing and phasing out our use of single-
use plastics. While it might be difficult to
stop using these products entirely, there are
a few relatively simple ways to start cutting
back.

One way to encourage more people to
not use single-use plastics is by introducing
a fee, like charging a few cents to purchase
a bag. Another way local businesses are
transitioning is by putting food in reusable
containers that can then be returned. This
idea is similar to the way that Earnest Ice
Cream sells their pints in glass jars and
then gives you a discount should you bring
the jar back.

Another example of progress is
people using reusable bags when they buy
groceries. If someone does not buy a lot of
products, they can even be carried without
a bag as long as you can hold them while
you are moving.

Although it is tricky to get used
to doing these strategies, it will lead to
positive benefits. Reducing the use of
single-use plastics will lead to a time when
they are not made—thereby helping to save
the Earth!

Going green 1n 2019

» Local buys to build your arsenal

f |

 
    

Image via Walmart

Image via Well.ca

Lauren Kelly
Graphics Manager

 

Manna Hydration water bottles

Wish you had a S’ Well water bottle, but
youre not willing or able to fork over the
$50 price tag? Check out Manna Hydration.
You can grab a comparable water bottle at
Canadian Tire from this brand for around
$8 to $10, or order from its online store.
With double-walls that will keep your
drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12, this
is all you need—and the brand has fun
designs just like S’Well.

Colibri Snack Bags

If you bring your own food for classes—or
if you help pack lunches for someone
else—you know how many Ziploc bags

you can go through. When I was a kid, I
had a few a day in each lunch, and that
amount of waste adds up quickly. Luckily,
companies are beginning to make cute,
reusable bags for items of any size. Colibri
is a Manitoba-based company that sells in a
few different stores in Vancouver, including
My Little Green Shop at Burnaby and
Burrard. The bags are around $8 each and
are easy to clean. This store is also a great
one-stop shop for other environmentally-
friendly goodies!

GlassSipper glass straws

There has been a lot of debate about
plastic straw bans recently. If you're looking
to ease your conscience on this front,

Reusables "

check out GlassSipper. With various sizes,
including smoothie and bubble tea straws,
these glass straws can fit any sipping need.
The company was started by a Vancouver
glass artisan, so youre also supporting a
local business. Their straws are available at
Donald’s Market in the New Westminster
River Market just down the street from
the New West campus and fall under $10 a
piece.

Local reusable bags

Some stores are turning to paper bags, but
many still use plastic. For those of us who
don't carry around huge backpacks, an
easy to tote reusable grocery or tote bag is
a useful tool. For those with little room,
London Drugs sells packable thin shopping
bags in various patterns for $2.99 each,
and if you're a member of their rewards
program you can get your first one for 99
cents. However, many of your favourite
local stores will sell reusable bags with
their own branding, so buying from them
is a great way to support local and also give
your store a shout-out. Check out small
bookstores such as Book Warehouse on
Broadway and gift stores such as Giving
Gifts on Main Street for good options.
Another great place to pick up some great
reusable bags is the Vancouver Public
Library. Proceeds go to the library itself
and they have a lot of cute and punny
designs. They even sell plastic-coated ones
with a seal specifically for carrying food or
lunches.

ITS Mor
HOAROING |

 

Photo by Billy Bui

Image via GlassSipper

Image via BookWarehouse on Facebook