From our rockpools to the deepest oceans, it's a pervasive threat to marine life, birds, and ultimately, us. It clings to our shorelines, swirls in our oceans, and even infiltrates the deepest, most remote corners of our planet. Plastic waste is one of the greatest threats to marine life, birds, and ultimately, to us. Sea turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, seabirds ingest microplastics, and whales become entangled in discarded fishing gear. The consequences are devastating and far-reaching.
Imagine a world where our oceans are choked with plastic debris, where marine life struggles to survive amidst a sea of synthetic waste. This is the reality we face if we fail to address the plastic pollution crisis.
Every year, over 12 million tonnes of plastic enter our oceans, breaking down into microplastics that contaminate the food chain and even end up in our own bodies. The long-term effects on human health remain undeniably concerning, but the presence of plastic in our systems is undeniably concerning. In collaboration with Surfers Against Sewage, this blog post explores the devastating impact of plastic pollution and highlights practical ways we can all contribute to a healthier ocean.
A Deeper Dive Into The Plastic Problem
Plastic is so ingrained in our daily lives that it's easy to overlook its pervasive presence. From food wrappers and single-use water bottles to packaging and clothing, it's a direct product of our disposable, throwaway consumer culture.
Surfers Against Sewage claim: “Corporate culprits rely on it, and governments have failed to adequately address the problem simply focusing on recycling and waste rather than reduction, reuse and refill.”
The stark reality is that recycling alone is not enough. Only a small percentage of plastic waste is recycled, and even then, the process often degrades the quality of the plastic, limiting its reusability. The vast majority of plastic waste ends up in landfills, where it can take hundreds, even thousands of years to decompose, leaching harmful chemicals into the environment.
Marine-protected areas are vital for ocean health. When fully protected, they can boost biodiversity by an average of 21%, according to the Marine Conservation Society. This highlights the urgent need to support initiatives that safeguard these critical areas and promote responsible ocean management
This never goes away. As the voice of our oceans, their aim is pretty clear, a world where the Ocean thrives, so we can too. Plastic is the most common type of waste found around UK beaches, with even more significant amounts of microplastics. We need to reduce, reuse and repair. To turn back the plastic tide choking our wild waters and campaign for clean waters away from sewage and plastic pollution by 2030. So, how can you help?
How we can help bring their vision to life with sustainable living solutions
Bamboo Toothbrushes
Traditional plastic toothbrushes take hundreds of years to decompose, contributing to the ever-growing plastic pollution problem. Our Bamboo Toothbrushes offer a sustainable alternative. Made from fast-growing, naturally antimicrobial bamboo, they're kind to your teeth and the planet.
The bamboo plant is one of the fastest-growing on our planet. As they can grow a staggering 35 inches per day! Even without the use of pesticides and fertilisers, which hold microplastics and damaging chemical values themselves. Their ability to thrive and stay strong can help us, and our waters, do the same.
One of the best things about bamboo is that it's naturally antimicrobial! This means there's no need to douse it in harsh chemicals to keep it fresh and hygienic. Compare that to a traditional plastic toothbrush, which can linger in a landfill for up to 400 years (and that's not even counting the flimsy, hard-to-open plastic packaging it comes in!). Our bamboo toothbrushes offer a refreshing change. When you're done with them, they can decompose easily – just remember to remove the nylon bristles first.
Wooden Doughnut Food Clips
Say goodbye to flimsy plastic food clips that easily break and end up in landfills (or worse, our oceans). Our natural Wooden Doughnut Food Clips are a charming and functional alternative. Made from sustainable wood, they're durable and reusable, and add a touch of whimsy to your kitchen, whilst helping to reduce plastic waste.
Their quirky eyes and doughnut shape help hold our bags tightly closed to help them stay fresh and secure- which can even eliminate food waste! They make a great eco-friendly gift as they come in a handy storage box is a nice addition to the pantry.
Bamboo Cutlery Set
Worried about your plastic consumption on the go? Ditch single-use plastic cutlery and embrace our travel-essential sustainable Bamboo Cutlery Set. This travel-friendly set includes a knife, fork, spoon, straw, and straw cleaner, all neatly packed in a stylish bamboo case. Perfect for work, travel, or picnics, this set helps you say no to plastic wherever you go.
Each piece is crafted from high-quality bamboo for durability and longevity. Their lightweight and stylish compact case is easy to slip into your bag for all occasions. Not only are they simple to clean and maintain but will contribute to a cleaner and kinder planet. Beyond their practicality, these cutlery sets are a commitment to a cleaner, kinder planet. By choosing reusable bamboo over disposable plastic, you're taking a stand against plastic pollution and its devastating impact on our oceans. 5% of each sale will contribute to Surfers Against Sewage to bring their vision to life. Together, we can reduce to restore our great waters.
Swedish Dishcloths
Unlike traditional plastic-based products, our products don’t release microplastics into our water systems. Our Swedish dishcloths are the everyday hero for cleaning spillage and grime making a great sustainable and practical alternative to traditional plastic-based sponges and wipes. Made from a blend of cellulose and cotton, they're super absorbent, reusable, washable and compostable.
These cloths are composed of 70% cellulose from 100% FSC-certified forests and 30% waste cotton. They can be used time and time instead of the fragile and insubstantial plastic sponges or wipes. Once they’ve had enough of their very long life, cut them up and place them in your compost bin ready for their simple 8 to12 week decomposing process. With a selection of funky and colourful designs say goodbye to bland plastics and welcome bright and practical playfulness into your home.
Cellulose and Sisal Spongy Scourers
Take into action a plastic-free powerful clean that is gentle on the environment. These four packs of cellulose and sisal washing-up sponges help tackle grime without contributing to microplastic pollution. Crafted from entirely renewable plant resources, they tackle tough grime without harming the environment. They are entirely made from natural cellulose and sisal fibres and wholly renewable plant resources. After their use, they can be placed into your home compost bin. They also don’t hold that pungent fake plastic smell as your typical ones. 400 million cleaning sponges are thrown into landfills in the UK alone per year. The friction used multiple times a day in our washing up and cleaning emits microplastics onto our ‘clean’ dishes and water systems. It's time to choose a healthier, more sustainable kitchen. Make the switch today – for your dishes, your health, and our planet.
We have a wide range of sustainable living products that can help reduce the everyday plastic products that are contributing to the problem. Shop our kitchen, bathroom and gifts here.
Beyond Product Swaps: Embracing a Sustainable Lifestyle
While choosing sustainable products is a crucial step, it's equally important to adopt a more conscious approach to consumption and waste reduction. Here are a few additional ways to embrace sustainable living:
-
Reduce: Before you buy something new, ask yourself if you need it. Can you borrow it, buy it secondhand, or repair something you already own?
-
Reuse: Find creative ways to reuse items instead of throwing them away. Turn old t-shirts into cleaning rags, jars into storage containers, and glass bottles into vases.
-
Refill: Choose products with refillable options to reduce packaging waste. Many stores now offer refill stations for cleaning products, personal care items, and even food.
-
Compost: Composting food scraps and yard waste is a fantastic way to reduce landfill waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden.
-
Educate: Spread awareness about the importance of sustainable living and encourage others to make eco-conscious choices.
Microplastics: The tiny villain, causing huge problems.
We're proud to share a significant milestone in our commitment to environmental sustainability: we've successfully diverted 72,000 plastic products from entering landfills. This achievement underscores the effectiveness of our eco-conscious approach and the positive impact our products have on reducing plastic waste. But our commitment goes beyond simply reducing the landfill burden. We're deeply concerned about the pervasive issue of microplastic pollution and its potential health implications. That's why our products are designed with a crucial difference: they don't release microplastics into the water system.
This is a critical distinction, especially given the growing body of research highlighting the alarming presence of microplastics in various environments and even within living organisms.
Ecojiko understands the increasing concern surrounding microplastics and their potential impact on human health. Recent studies, including research cited by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have revealed the disturbing presence of microplastics in human tissues.
One particularly concerning finding from the NIH study indicates that brain tissues can accumulate significantly higher concentrations of microplastics than other organs in the body – specifically, 10 to 20 times the amount. This accumulation is not only happening but also appears to be increasing over time. While the exact pathways of microplastic entry into the human body are still being investigated, potential sources include irrigation practices using plastic-contaminated water, as well as the consumption of food that may contain
Conclusion
Join us and Surfers Against Sewage in the fight against plastic pollution. Embrace sustainable living alternatives, spread awareness, and help us turn the tide on plastic waste. Together, we can restore our precious waters.
