Plastic pollution issue
What can we do about plastic pollution?
To reduce plastic pollution, avoid petroleum plastic products wherever possible and reduce your packaging waste.
If reusability or avoidance is not possible, then use compostable bioplastics made from renewable raw materials.
Use reusable packaging because it is always better than petroleum plastic disposable packaging.
When you throw something away, be it plastic, metal, paper, glass, etc., make sure you use the right trash can!
There is no need for microplastics in toothpaste, shower gels, peelings, etc.!
Clear labeling of bioplastic products and petroleum plastic products for end consumers.
Expand more reusable and deposit systems.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about plastic pollution
How does plastic waste enter the environment and where can we find it?
Plastic waste enters the environment in various ways. Much of it is carelessly discarded, from streets and parking lots, and eventually ends up in rivers like the Danube, which washes into the sea. Every year, over 12 million tons of plastic are washed into the world's oceans, in addition to over a million tons of fishing nets abandoned by ships. Contrary to popular belief that most plastic floats on the surface, the majority (an estimated 94%) sinks to the seabed due to its density. Only 1% floats on the surface, while about 5% washes up on beaches. On the seabed, an average of 70 kg of plastic per km² is found, and on beaches, as much as 2.000 kg per km².
What are the consequences of plastic pollution for animals?
The consequences of plastic pollution for the ocean ecosystem are serious. Every year, one million birds and 100.000 marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, and seals, die worldwide as a result of plastic pollution. Discarded fishing nets, in particular, pose a major threat, as marine animals become entangled in them and die a miserable death.
What can be done about plastic pollution?
NaKu recommends the three "Vs": Avoid, Reduce, Improve. To reduce plastic waste, use reusable packaging and ensure proper waste separation. If reusable packaging or avoidance isn't possible, compostable bioplastics made from renewable resources offer a more environmentally friendly alternative. It's also important to avoid products that deliberately contain microplastics, such as some toothpastes, shower gels, or scrubs.