Plastics and pollution? They're problems.
Plastic pollution is a significant environmental issue, as it contributes to the destruction of wildlife, marine life, and ecosystems, not to mention how the production of plastic contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and consumes valuable non-renewable resources.
Addressing plastic pollution is a vital step toward mitigating serious environmental repercussions and safeguarding the health and balance of ecosystems worldwide.
At ecoHiny, we're committed to becoming a solution to plastic pollution. Along with advocating for saving our forests, we're excited about offering a product that helps you reduce your plastic use.
Buying our product means making a difference in your environmental footprint; it's something to consider now more than ever.
Understanding the Impact of Plastic Pollution
Plastics are materials made from a wide range of organic polymers, typically derived from petrochemicals. Toxic chemicals in plastic can include additives such as phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), and flame retardants. These chemicals have been linked to potential health risks, and some are considered carcinogens. (1)
According to the Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health, "an estimated 22 metric tons of plastic waste enters the environment each year, much of it single-use plastic and are added to the more than six gigatons of plastic waste that have accumulated since 1950." (2)
Plastic pollution has far-reaching environmental consequences that affect various aspects of ecosystems and wildlife. When plastic waste enters natural habitats, it poses a severe threat to land and ocean creatures.
Marine animals often mistake plastic debris for food, leading to ingestion and entanglement, which can result in injury and death. The Center for Biological Diversity reports that "Thousands of seabirds and sea turtles, seals and other marine mammals are killed each year after ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it" (3). Plastic pollution also disrupts ecosystems by altering habitats and affecting the balance of predator-prey relationships.
As plastic degrades, it releases harmful chemicals into the environment, adversely impacting soil and water quality. This not only affects the health of various organisms but also poses risks to human health when these contaminants enter the food chain. Plastics don't degrade; they break down into smaller particles called microplastics. These small particles, less than five millimeters, are found everywhere in the world, including inside animals and humans! (4)
Plastic pollution also contributes to climate change. As of 2021, 98% of plastics are made with fossil fuels, which contributes to rising greenhouse gas emissions. (5mont) The production, transportation, and disposal of plastics exacerbate the global climate crisis.
By cutting down on our plastic use, we can help protect the environment, reduce health risks, and create a more sustainable future for the planet.
Simple Steps to Reduce Plastic Use
The good news? It's easy to modify your plastic use. By adjusting a few small habits, you can make a big impact on lessening your contribution to the plague of plastic pollution.
Here are a few suggestions for reducing your most common single-use plastic culprits.
Reusable Grocery Bags
More than 100 billion plastic bags are used in the U.S. each year. (5) Eliminate the need for single-use plastic bags that are often given out at grocery stores. By using reusable bags, individuals can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste generated by the overuse of plastic grocery bags.
Many reusable bags are made from materials such as cotton or sturdy plastics that can be used multiple times, further cutting down on the demand for single-use plastics.
Avoid Products with Excessive Plastic Packaging
Look for products that use alternatives to plastic packaging, such as cardboard, glass, or metal containers. Choose products with minimal or no plastic packaging, and consider purchasing items in bulk to reduce the amount of packaging overall.
Avoid Single-Use Food and Water Containers
Plastic water bottles are a big deal when it comes to plastic consumption. The same goes for single-use plastic bags and food containers. Buy a refillable water bottle and consider some creative alternatives for food storage, such as:
- Taking your own to-go containers to restaurants
- Reusing empty food containers from the store
- Using Mason jars, silicone food bags, and beeswax wraps
Buy from Sustainable Brands
There is a wealth of companies producing products with the environment in mind. ecoHiny is proud to bring you one of the best. Not only is our toilet paper made with super-sustainable bamboo, but our packaging is fully recyclable and biodegradable. Trees are missing in our toilet paper production, and so are plastics!
A more environmentally friendly toilet paper purchase is an excellent place to start meeting your household sustainability goals.
Take action against plastic pollution by adopting these positive plastic habits! We're right here beside you, doing our part.
ecoHiny's Role in Reducing Plastic Pollution
ecoHiny can help you reduce your plastic use, but first, let's consider other positive impacts you can make by purchasing our T.P.
When you commit to buying from or subscribing to ecoHiny, you get a 100% tree-free toilet paper option. The harmful and widespread destruction of our vital hardwood forests caused by the traditional toilet paper industry is something we strongly stand against.
Our product only makes use of bamboo, which is considered an incredibly safe and sustainable material. Bamboo's quick growth rate, combined with its ability to thrive with less water than hardwood trees, make it an ideal crop for something as significant in our lives as toilet paper.
Add to that the fact that it doesn't require the use of pesticides or fertilizers, and it's clear that bamboo is the best eco-friendly option. What goes into our rolls is always only 100% bamboo; in addition to trees, here's what else ecoHiny doesn't include:
- Toxic chemicals
- Dyes, fragrances, or inks
- BPA (Bisphenol A)
- PFAS (Per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances)
ecoHiny's environmental promise also extends to our packaging. Our premium, planet-friendly rolls are wrapped in 100% recyclable paper and housed in recyclable cardboard boxes. All components are fully biodegradable and contain no plastics whatsoever.
Consider plastic-free toilet paper from ecoHiny a first step toward a safer and more eco-conscious home. Purchase our eco-friendly toilet paper today and help us put an end to harmful plastic consumption.
Your Toilet Paper is No Place for Plastics
Plastics are to blame for environmental hazards worldwide. Their impact on ecosystems and human health is a serious concern, but it's something we can help alleviate.
Eco-conscious consumers can make a difference by supporting sustainable brands and buying from companies committed to environmental efforts like ecoHiny. Are you ready to be part of the plastic pollution solution?
Start with small changes; make one of them a purchase of ecoHiny 100% bamboo toilet paper.
- "Marine Plastic Pollution." International Union for Conservation of Nature, www.iucn.org/sites/default/files/2022-04/marine_plastic_pollution_issues_brief_nov21.pdf.
- "The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health." Annals of Global Health, annalsofglobalhealth.org/articles/10.5334/aogh.4056.
- "Ocean Plastics Pollution: A Global Tragedy for Our Oceans and Sealife." Center for Biological Diversity, www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/ocean_plastics/.
- "Impacts of Plastic Pollution." United States Environmental Protection Agency, www.epa.gov/plastics/impacts-plastic-pollution.
- Huun, Kate. "Issues With Plastic Bags and the Ripple Effect." , 23 Feb. 2022, www.colorado.edu/ecenter/2022/02/23/issues-plastic-bags-and-ripple-effect
