July 3rd is the International Plastic Bag Free Day celebrated every year. This campaign aims to eliminate the use of single-use plastic bags in the world. It is an important day to raise awareness of the negative impacts using plastic bags for the environment and change the mindset of people with a disposable concept to become more sustainable.
For some people this campaign is familiar, but not for some others, in fact, there is still a lot of plastic waste found disturbing the marine and earth ecosystems. So the plastic-free days will always be an important reminder for everyone to always save the environment by leaving disposable plastics. Because we might not realize that we actually carry the weapon that can kill our own environment.
This Plastic Bag Free Day campaign has been echoed in many countries. In some countries this campaign works significantly, people already aware of the dangers of using single-use plastic and followed by their actions. The government policies such as taxation on single-use plastic and plastic bag ban policy give space for this campaign to nicely spreading. With the support of the community, stakeholders, business owners, and wise buyers will increasingly raise awareness to put our thoughts and leads our actions to recover our earth.
So what should we do?
Bring Your Own Bag
You have must have heard this term in many places. This is a simple step to do to reduce the single-use plastic bag. When you are going to shop not only for groceries, even for buying your clothes, shoes, cooking ware, it is important to carry your own bag. Because the plastic with the cool brand name on it that you will bring is still plastic.
Use The Plastic Bag We Have
I know we still have a lot of plastic bags in our house. Keep using them is one of the ways to stop adding it. Fold them nicely, store it in a reachable place that you can easily see. So you will know that you still a lot of them to be used. And keep some in your bag, in case if you need them for immediate shopping to carry your goods.
Smart Alternatives
Nowadays, there are plastic bags alternative available from natural materials, such as the plastic made from cassava or corn. Some small businesses have already begun to follow the movements by using biodegradable plastic to replace the old plastic bag to wrap and deliver goods.
Be A Starter
If you are a seller, you can start replacing old plastic bags that you use by biodegradable plastic or change it to another type with environmentally friendly materials. If you are a shopper, be more responsible and discipline to always carry your bag.
For some people put more concern and act against the single-use plastic bag is not easy. There are always reasons to keep using them sometimes you forget to bring and next time you need more of them to carry your stuff. It may take years to understand the damage we have created by the irresponsible use of plastic bags. But everything has to be started. We may have not aware of our actions before but now start from ourselves to be more sensible and responsible for our better world.
References:
https://zerowasteeurope.eu/products/plastic-bag-free-day/
https://bimcal.com/calendar/international-plastic-bag-free-day
https://www.sustainablelearning.com/event/international-plastic-bag-free-day
https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/international-plastic-bag-free-day-2020/
