Why plastic is a problem

Plastic. It's a material that we use for everything from water bottles to contact lenses, but few of us stop to think about the consequences of its widespread use. In this blog post, we'll take a look at some of the problems caused by plastic, and explore ways that we can reduce our reliance on it. Stay tuned – you might be surprised by what you learn!

1. Plastic is a problem because it's not biodegradable

When plastic ends up in landfill, it can take centuries to break down. That's because plastic is made from synthetic polymers, which are long chains of molecules that don't decompose easily. As a result, the plastic that we use today could still be around hundreds of years from now.

2. Plastic is a problem because it's polluting our oceans and waterways

Every year, around 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans. That's the equivalent of a garbage truck full of plastic dumping its load into the sea every minute! This pollution is having a devastating effect on marine life, with reports of turtles and seabirds being choked by plastic bags and fish mistaking small pieces of plastic for food.

3. Plastic is a problem because it's clogging up our landfills

As plastic doesn't biodegrade, it just sits in a landfill, taking up valuable space. In the US, it's estimated that around 30% of the rubbish in landfills is made up of plastic. This negatively impacts not only our environment but also our economy – in 2012, the US spent around $11.5 billion disposing of plastic waste.

4. Plastic is a problem because it's killing marine life

As well as polluting our oceans, plastic is also killing marine life. Animals can become entangled in plastic bags and other pieces of rubbish, or they may mistake it for food. It's estimated that around 100,000 marine mammals and one million seabirds are killed by plastic every year.

5. Plastic is a problem because it's harmful to humans

Not only is plastic bad for the environment, it's also harmful to humans. Studies have shown that exposure to plastic can cause a range of health problems, including reproductive issues, hormonal imbalances, and cancer.

 

So there you have it – five reasons why plastic is a problem. But what can we do about it?

At Upcycle with Jing, we believe that one of the best ways to reduce our reliance on plastic is to upcycle it into something new and beautiful. Our jewelry is handcrafted from PET plastic bottles that we collect in Helsinki – giving these bottles a new lease on life as stunning pieces of jewelry.

Not only does upcycling help to reduce the amount of plastic ending up in landfill, but it also helps to create jobs and support local businesses. When you purchase from Upcycle with Jing, you can feel good knowing that you're not only looking good – you're also doing good!

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