Recently, National Geographic Magazine have been sharing some devastating photos of the plastic crisis our Planet Earth is currently experiencing. These photos are appalling. You can check them out here (National Geographic), here (National Geographic Instagram) and here (Bored Panda).
I understand that plastic has a necessary place in our world, but this resource being abused. Every resource must be used responsibly and very few are. This is an age old problem that isn’t just about plastic. For example, in one of Bill Bryson’s books (favourite author alert!), Bill tells us that pecan nut trees ran the risk of going extinct in America because it was easier for the first European settlers to cut down a tree to harvest the nuts, than it was to pick the nuts off the tree. Wow! Just wow!
However, back to plastic: It’s easy to understand why it is in such common use today as it is relatively cheap to produce (out of crude oil no less), keeps new products looking good and food preserved. However, once you’ve removed the packaging on that new item/food, nothing can be done with it and most of it ends up in a landfill somewhere, where it runs the risk of blowing into a river and/or the sea. Likewise, cheap toys and household items break after a couple of weeks and as it can’t be fixed, the toy ends up in a landfill.
And this is exactly why I decided to bring Sinchies to South Africa. I truly believe that if used responsibly, these pouches can help many families reduce their plastic footprint.
Fun Fact: Sinchies Reusable Pouches won the Baba Indaba Green Award right here in South Africa! (Sinchies pouches have also won various Australian awards).
Read on…
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Help With the Plastic Crisis!
However futile the little bit that you can do against the plastic crisis seems to be, every little bit helps. As pressure builds against manufacturers and food distributors to use less plastic in such a wasteful manner, this war will get easier as more options become available. Ice cream used to be packaged in cardboard containers. Is this not still an option? What about packaging from hemp, bamboo and sugar-cane fibres?
I am sure you have heard the mantra “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” before.
Reduce your plastic waste by choosing products that have less plastic packaging. Buy good quality items that will last longer.
Reuse items as far as possible. If you no longer need something that can be of benefit to someone else, sell it or give it away rather than throwing it out. Buy decent quality toys for your children that will last a long time. I know of a certain popular brand of plastic building block that is often handed down from generation to generation. I know from myself growing up, my bicycle that belonged to my uncle when he was a boy was one of my most treasured possessions. When I outgrew it my sister rode it and then it was handed over to another family. My story proves that good quality toys can be loved by more than one child.
Recycle, where possible, if this option is available to you. (See my previous article on recycling in South Africa).
Sinchies Can Help You Fight Against the Plastic Crisis
Reduce: Our Sinchies pouches give you a means to transport “squishy” foods easily. They can be used for baby food when you are out and about, yoghurt for school lunchboxes (make your own) and smoothies for your own breakfast, gym workouts, hiking, camping, etc. This means that you don’t have to rely on pre-bought packaged goods, but can rather make and bring your own.
Reuse: Sinchies pouches are fully reusable and are made out of a good quality, PVC, Phthalates and BPA free plastic, making them as safe, durable and as long-lasting as possible.
Recycle: When Sinchies pouches do finally reach the end of their lifespan, they are recyclable.
Rot: Our packaging is made out of cardboard which can decompose.
