My quest to go plastic free while living on a Caribbean island

One morning I obtained out of the bathe, reached for my towel and located myself nose to nose with a shelf full of various merchandise. Though I used these items day-after-day, I regarded on the shelf like I used to be seeing it for the primary time and was horrified. Taking a look at me have been bottles of shampoo, conditioner, aloe vera gel, canine shampoo, hydrogen peroxide, physique lotion, and a few oils. Apart from the oils, all the things was in plastic bottles.

This sight impressed me to embark on a plastic journey.

My mission was to cut back the variety of plastic-wrapped merchandise on my shelf. I needed to learn the way simple it will be for the common household to search out merchandise that weren’t packaged in plastic, and likewise how simple it will be for folks like me residing on islands and extra distant locations around the globe.

I began the place I used to be – the island of Grand Bahama – searching for plastic-free alternate options within the native purchasing facilities. After three failed makes an attempt, it regarded like I must take my search elsewhere.

A bit of later I had the chance to journey to the US and requested a really affected person buddy to take me purchasing for merchandise in non-plastic containers; I assumed for positive I’d have higher luck with it within the States. I began with massive chain and grocery shops like Goal, Walmart, and Publix. Once more, I did not discover something appropriate.

I then transitioned to markets that delight themselves on promoting natural and holistic merchandise, resembling Sprouts and Entire Meals. Regardless of the upper costs and all the flamboyant labels depicting chemical-free, wholesome and eco-friendly formulation, the containers have been largely plastic. I discovered a couple of facial toners, the same old important oils and hair oil in glass bottles, however nothing else.

I dragged my buddy to much more specialty shops like The Physique Store and Tub and Physique Works, ending my search within the high-end cosmetics aisles of Macy’s and comparable shops. In all places I went the outcomes have been the identical.

It was an extended and irritating search. Regardless of the standard of the shop, the value of the product or the environmental friendliness of the substances, about 98% of the gadgets are available plastic.

So I returned to the Bahamas with little to point out for my efforts, I made a decision to make substitutions the place I might. I swapped physique gel for cleaning soap and was fortunate sufficient to have mates ship me shampoo and home made physique lotion and toothpaste in glass jars. I additionally discovered an organization that makes physique oils in glass bottles, however they’re costly.

With a variety of assist from mates and somewhat further money, my shelf modified little by little. However whereas this stuff assist, my journey is much from over.

Except for the bar they gave me, my shampoo and conditioner nonetheless are available plastic. I attempt to purchase larger bottles to cut back waste, however there are not any refilling amenities or recycling locations on the island, so that they go within the bin after they’re empty. Up to now I’ve additionally had no luck discovering merchandise for my little ones that are not in plastic bottles.

The following pure step could be to make a few of these merchandise myself. Nonetheless, most of the mandatory substances are usually not available on the island.

So how sensible and straightforward is it for the common household to cut back their waste? With some extra cash — typically loads — further time and effort, it is potential to cut back and even get rid of the plastic current on the lavatory shelf.

However for the common family, that is removed from a straightforward job. And in case you reside in a distant a part of the world, this will change into virtually unimaginable.

We preserve speaking about particular person choices and making guarantees; we pledge to cut back using straws and plastic luggage, and many people attempt to refuse, reuse and recycle the place we will. However we now have an issue that requires a top-down resolution, and we want extra drastic intervention.

The change should come from the businesses themselves. If we will scale back the quantity of plastic we promote, we may even scale back the quantity of plastic we throw away.

Packaging must be extra environmentally pleasant, with merchandise delivered in reusable, reusable containers. Charging stations must be the cheaper norm, not the costly rarity. Pricing ought to facilitate greener selections, not discourage them. Why is being environmentally acutely aware a luxurious that only a few can afford?

If my plastic journey has taught me something, it is that shifting the burden to the person just isn’t an efficient or sensible resolution to lowering the world’s waste.

The submit My Mission to Go Plastic Free Whereas Residing on a Caribbean Island appeared first on EcoWatch.

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