Zac Levenson – Year 12

Within our lives, plastic is everywhere. Try for a day to notice how much plastic you see, it will truly shock you! It lines cans, hides in household dust, is found inside of toys, electronics, shampoo, cosmetics and countless other products. It’s used to make thousands of single-use items, from grocery bags to forks to candy wrappers and despite recent attempts to try and limit its usages i.e. Australian states and territories pledging to ban single use plastic bags, it’s role in our life, for the moment at least, feels irreplaceable. Just last year, over 380 million tonnes of plastic were produced and while we don’t think about it very often, this plastic doesn’t just disappear into the abyss. 

Every time you eat, drink or even breathe, you’re almost certainly taking in tiny particles along with you. These ubiquitous fragments are known as microplastics. Microplastics are a broad term used to describe any plastic pieces less than half a centimetre in diameter. Microplastics were only discovered recently so there isn’t a lot of research yet on the effects of plastic on our health as well as other creatures, however, even in the short period of time it is evident that the amount of microplastics are increasing. A recent study from the University of Newcastle found that Australians consume almost five grams of plastic per week – roughly a credit card worth of plastic. 

The majority of the world’s plastic is produced in China. Corporations there often try to make as much plastic for as little as possible and cut corners due to a lack of regulation to do so. Unfortunately, this frequently involves the use of chemicals which can have harmful effects on humans and the environment. An example of these chemicals are phthalates, which are used as a plastic softener in a variety of products including plastic clothes, soaps and cosmetic bottles. This chemical, that is released as microplastics, has been linked to hormone disruption and brain development issues which can cause long-term problems, particularly for young boys.

Let’s be real, we can’t stop eating, drinking and breathing so how can we limit the amount of microplastics?

• Try use alternatives to plastic 
  • Use your own reusable bags, straws and cutlery
  • Try to use containers or beeswax instead of cling wrap
  • Use reusable plastic bottles (particularly metal ones)
• Stay informed 
  • Follow media and learn more about microplastics so that you can educate those around you
• Get involved
  • If you hear about a petition or story that you agree with get involved

Last week the Sustainability Va’ad organised a clothes drive to highlight the amount of fashion waste that we produce. We received a staggering number of donations and wanted to thank everyone who donated for their amazing contributions. Our local Vinnies is now full of amazing, good quality clothes that will go to people who need them and their purchases will help Vinnies continue the amazing work they do.

Thank you to everyone who donated!