Plastic pollution is a growing concern, impacting our oceans, communities, and even our health. Unfortunately, India happens to be among the 12 countries responsible for 60% of the world’s mismanaged plastic waste according to a report by Swiss non-profit, EA Earth Action. Further analysis shows that India will release 391,879 tonnes of microplastics into waterbodies. However, it’s important to note that our per capita plastic waste production is also among the lowest in the world.
Read More: State of Environment in Figures 2024 on plastic waste in India
Despite India’s ban on a few single-use plastic items, many other items remain in circulation. This July, QNET India joins the global movement – Plastic Free July! We can all be part of the solution by making small changes in our daily lives to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics.
Millions of people around the world are taking the Plastic Free July pledge to refuse single-use plastics. It’s a simple way for anyone to make a difference. At QNET India, we’re committed to supporting a sustainable future, and we encourage you to join the cause. Apart from following the 3Rs (Reduce, reuse, recycle), here’s how you can make a difference:
Plastic Free at Home
- Prep for grocery shopping – Avoid breads, pastries, fruits and veggies with plastic packaging and use your own reusable bags for grocery trips. Try to choose eco-friendly products for your home that come in reusable or recyclable packaging.
- Sustainable clothing decisions – Opt for clothing made from natural fibres like cotton or linen to reduce microplastics shed during washing. You can also go for clothes made using recycled materials. Simple tweaks to your laundry routine like washing clothes in cold water, can also help reduce microplastic shedding.
- Plastic-free bathroom essentials – Look for bar soaps, shampoo bars, and reusable razors to ditch single-use plastics in your bathroom routine. You can also consider using plastic-free alternatives for periods such as menstrual cups which are eco-friendly, reusable and durable.
- Plastic-free everyday essentials – Invest in a reusable coffee cup and water bottle instead of piling up the mountains of single-use cups in landfills. Refuse plastic straws and carry your own reusable ones.
Plastic Free Surroundings
- Communicate and educate – Organise workshops or talks on plastic pollution and simple ways to reduce it at work and in your communities. Share tips and success stories.
- Reduce printing – Encourage digital communication and double-sided printing when necessary in the workplace or in your surroundings.
- Support local – Shop at farmers’ markets or local stores that offer unpackaged options and support sustainable practices.
- Spread awareness – Talk to friends, family, and neighbours about plastic pollution and simple ways to reduce it. Encourage them to join the Plastic Free July movement.
- Community clean up – Organise or participate in clean-up events at parks, beaches, or local neighbourhoods to remove plastic waste.
Beyond the Basics
- Check your bin! – Check your trash audit to make sure you’re recycling and disposing waste correctly. If you’ve got the time, get creative with your community and repurpose plastic items as decoration or for other uses around the house.
- Buy Less, Waste Less – Resist the urge to buy impulse items wrapped in plastic.
- Food storage solutions – Instead of cling wrap, opt for reusable containers or beeswax wraps for storing food.
This Plastic Free July, take the pledge and join QNET India on the path to a cleaner, plastic-free future. Let’s be the generation that turns the tide on plastic pollution. Visit https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/ to learn more and take the pledge today!
QNET’s Green Legacy
At QNET India, we believe environmental responsibility goes hand-in-hand with a thriving business. QNET’s Green Legacy is a comprehensive approach to sustainability that focuses on 4 key pillars:
- Strategic Product Development
- Ethical Supply Chain
- Sustainable Culture
- Green Footprint
QNET’s Green Legacy aligns perfectly with the spirit of Plastic Free July. By focusing on strategic product development that minimises single-use plastics and promoting a sustainable culture among our representatives, we’re working towards a future where plastic pollution is significantly reduced.
Read More: QNET’s Green Legacy
By making small changes in our daily lives, choosing eco-friendly products, and supporting companies committed to sustainability, we can all contribute to a greener future.
