Prior to World W
ar II, the use of plastic was a relative rarity. But usage exploded after the war, with the use of products such as Saran Wrap, vinyl siding, baby bottles and sippy cups and even dolls and other toys. Then two items were invented that were to have unseen repercussions on our environment.
Plastic bags.
Bottled water.
Plastic bags first made their appearance in the late 1970’s or early 1980’s. Today, there are trillions of plastic bags in circulation; polluting the environment and poisoning sea life as the bags are unwittingly ingested; threatening the future of sea life. While many communities have banned plastic bags, the vast majority of cities and towns still allow their use.
Then came bottled water.
Just twenty years ago, bottled water was primarily used as an emergency water supply. But as the health benefits of drinking water became well known, more consumers turned to the easy to carry, smaller water bottles.
Today, in the U.S. alone, over 42 billion bottles of water are sold annually. Unfortunately, nearly 80% of those bottles ultimately end up a landfill!
According to the Ocean Conservatory, both plastic bottles and plastic bags are the most prevalent form of pollution found on beaches and oceans with every square mile of ocean containing over 40,000 pieces of plastic.
Do you use plastic bags or buy bottled water? Are you willing to give them up? Please share your thoughts and experiences with us.
Stay up-to-date with the latest HMI happenings with our free bi-monthly e-newsletter, Covering Ground. New training opportunities, case studies, recipes, contests and more delivered right to you!