Engineering and fabrication

What can we do to reduce the plastic polluting our environment?

Plastic is made from fossil fuel, the same as our gasoline. So everytime we buy something plastic we are using more fossil fuel. We have plastic bottles, plastic bags, plastic everywhere that may take thousands of years to dissolve. What can we do as consumers to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in our landfills besides the most common answer of recycle? I'm not looking for simple answers here. I'm looking for an informed discussion. It's too easy to say, recycle, don't buy plastic, etc. Plastic is everywhere on almost all things we use. Our cars, in our houses, furniture, anything you buy has some plastic in it. What are some different ideas for reducing the amount of plastic disposed in our environment.

Public Comments

1. Buy less plastic as a consumer!


2. reuse, recycle


3. Ask your grocer to use less plastic bags. They put one item in one bag. Cut the bag use in half. Cut plastic pollution in half.


4. This is a hard question to answer. Instead of taking on the whole plastic industry,we must start with the small things first. One of the biggest polluters from plastic are the bags that are used in our stores. What do you do with them after you get them home? We aren;t allowed to put them in our recyclables so they get thrown in the regular trash which adds to the landfills. If we all had our own shopping bag such as a canvas one, we could use that at the check out lane.Just think how much of an impact that would have on our environment.


5. Thank you for posting this question. I appreciate your concerns on this.

   The next threat to this plant is Global Warming and pollution. In most of the countries plastic is burnt out which produces carbon dioxide and other harmful gases. This carbon dioxide is a real culprit which causes the Global Warming. I see people are going away from natural lifestyle and becoming more and more synthetic, by mind and by possession also. We should kick start the awareness in the community and on global level to discard the usage of plastic unless and until it is absolutely necessary and there is no substitution for that. Using plastic bags as a carry bag is a foolish idea as there is a simple substitution for that. And this contributes to major part of pollution whether it caused by burning or dumping. People should be made aware of ecological balance, environment care. And most importantly, these things should be taught in schools as compulsory learning. There should be compulsory essays on these topics in schools. Not forgetting, our children are the next generation which can save this planet, so it is utmost necessary to educate them on this and imbibe the thoughts of care and love towards nature and environment.