Plastic became popular in the 1960s. Today, it is so widely used that it is almost unavoidable. More than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced worldwide every year, half of which is only used once, while nearly 19 million tonnes end up in lakes, rivers and seas.
"Single-use plastics contribute to a huge amount of waste, so it is important to look for sustainable alternatives, such as reusable containers and cloth shopping bags, buying products without unnecessary packaging and sorting waste properly so that what can be recycled gets a second life," says Rumpane.
The World Wildlife Fund estimates that plastic waste increases by up to 40% in summer. After summer parties and picnics, there is usually a lot of waste, as it is more convenient to feed a large group of people using ready-to-eat takeaway food served in disposable containers.
Living without plastic or with significantly reduced plastic use is possible, but it requires preparation and a change in habits. But by following the tips below, you can significantly reduce plastic and other waste.
Pour your drinks into sustainable containers
Refreshments are an essential part of a picnic or other summer party, but they don't have to be in disposable plastic containers. For example, water can be poured into reusable bottles made of stainless steel, glass or sustainable plastics that can be used several times and for long periods of time. Such bottles are durable and easy to care for. Lemon or cucumber slices can be added to the water.
"When buying drinks such as lemonade or water in plastic bottles, it is important not to put it into the environment - these bottles can most often be taken to deposit machines or, if these are not available, can be thrown in a bin designed for plastics. Meanwhile, coffee or tea can be taken in a thermos or reusable cups," advises Rumpane.
Don't use disposable containers
On 1 July 2021, the European Union, including Latvia, banned the sale of single-use plastic products such as plastic straws, utensils, cutlery and cosmetic cotton buds.
From next year, Riga City Council plans to ban single-use containers at public events, as our northern neighbours Estonia have already done since 2019. However, it will be allowed to offer reusable containers in exchange for a deposit or to bring your own reusable containers to the event.
If you are planning a picnic in nature, bring real cutlery from home. You'll feel more comfortable, wash them afterwards and use them for years to come. It is also worth considering investing in a picnic basket that will last for many years to come.
Homemade food is the best
Surprise your friends and family with healthy and fresh meals and snacks - salads, vegetable, fruit and cheese platters - that you make yourself. Not only will you cut down on plastic wrap and disposable containers, you'll know exactly what's in your teddy bear's tummy.
Fruit is easy to transport whole, or you can pre-cut it and put it in snack packs or reusable containers.
"Wrap picnic snacks in reusable containers or paper, not plastic bags. Wax-free wax paper degrades much faster than plastic bags, which can take almost 1 000 years to decompose," advises Rumpane.
When you go to the shops for groceries, remember reusable shopping bags. If you have a big party planned, it might be worth buying a cardboard box, which is a more environmentally friendly alternative to supermarket bags.
Eco-friendly decor instead of cheap plastics
For those who want to throw an eco-friendly party, a minimalist approach to decoration will also be cheaper and more sustainable. Use reusable tablecloths and give preference to live flowers and plants.
"Although balloons are a staple at many parties, remember that they take years to decompose once they are in nature. Balloons are a danger to animals and birds - their remains are found in the internal organs of dead animals, birds and fish," explains CleanR's Head of Municipal Waste Management.
For decorations, you can use nature's bounty - fresh flowers, dried flowers and other plants such as lavender, yarrow, reeds, sisal, cones, dried orange, lemon and similar cloves, which can then be preserved and used again.
All these decor parts can be composted or placed in a Biodegradable waste container when not in use, thus ensuring that Biodegradable waste is also sorted.Lighting is undeniably one of the most important elements in creating a mood.
Of course, you can use eco candles, but from the point of view of price and long-term use, it is more efficient to choose LED light strings.On the one hand, LED technology consumes relatively little energy, but on the other hand, they can be used again and again.
Hands can be clean even without wet wipesAt a picnic or a party in nature, it is often necessary to clean your hands or face.
Many people buy wet wipes for this purpose, but they are not environmentally friendly. These wipes contain plastic resins such as polyester or polypropylene, which are completely non-biodegradable.This essentially makes these wipes a single-use plastic.
"Wet wipes end up in sewers, polluting land, rivers and oceans, or in landfills where they can live for up to 100 years. So a simple alternative to wet wipes is reusable cloths that are wetted with water and taken with you after use to be washed and reused," says Rumpane.
Plastics are almost everywhere, including in cosmetics, sunscreens and other personal care products.So when choosing protection against harmful UV rays, look for creams that are as natural as possible and biodegradable alternatives that don't have as big an impact on the environment.Prefer brands that are free of oxybenzone and octinoxate.
"The amount of recycled materials in Latvia is increasing every year, but the pace is still not fast enough, so we need to try to generate as little waste as possible, especially plastics, which pollute the environment and, when they end up in landfills, stay there for a hundred years," reminds Liene Rumpane, CleanR's Head of Household Waste Management.
If you use plastic, sort it!
If you can't do without plastic, make sure you sort it, because recycling plants can give it a second life. Remember that plastic, cardboard and metal packaging containers must be clean and dry. In particular, yoghurt, kefir or milk packaging should be rinsed before being thrown away; disposable plates should be thrown away if they are thoroughly soiled and even wet, as should any wet and damp cardboard or wet paper towels.
It is important to buy food as you need it - think about how much you will actually consume and be able to eat.If you have leftovers, such as vegetable and fruit peelings, or if any of the food spoils during the cooking process, don't throw it in the bin, but take the opportunity to sort BIO.On outings, it is certainly useful to have a compostable bag to collect the BIO waste and put it in the BIO container. It is important to leave behind a clean and tidy environment wherever you enjoy the summer and the festivities.
Photo credit - Pexels.com
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