You must of been living in a cave to not notice the plastic epidemic that has hit us here on the planet in the last few years, it’s bad and we notice it even more here on this lovely tropical island of Koh Phangan because of the abundant nature we are faced with every minute of our waking day.
It’s detrimental to the environment, the ocean life, jungle and beach. The average time that a plastic bottle takes to decompose is 450 years!
There are small things we can be doing to help, small changes that really won’t affect your life but could help to improve the life of the planet when it comes to reducing plastic, the thing about ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ is that it is actually in the order that is most important to do, so although you may be recycling and reusing things the most critical to change is how much plastic you use.
Here are some things that you can change RIGHT NOW!
Stop using Plastic Cutlery!
Refuse the plastic cutlery you get with a takeaway and instead take your own or use your own at home, it’s simple.
Stop using those stupid Plastic Straws!
Every time you buy a drink in 7/11 they give you a straw, it’s annoying right? Well just take it out and leave it. Remember the days when you used to just drink fro the glass? Do that!
If you have to drink from a straw then purchase a reusable one.
Say No to Bottled Water!
Slightly more difficult here on this island as we can’t drink from the tap but there are things you can do!
Trash Hero sell bottles which you can fill up at different locations/businesses on the island for free and you can also purchase a 20 litre bottle for your house rather than buying the small ones.
Stop using Takeaway Drinks Cups!
These one use items are the worst, take your own cup or a reusable one.
Swap your Plastic Toothbrush!
There are bamboo toothbrushes available nowadays so opt for one of those or an electric one with changeable heads!
No Takeaway Containers!
Get yourself some tupperware, yes it may be plastic but it will last you forever or just take a plate and use another plate to cover it.
Lots of restaurants here are now using biodegradable takeaway packaging to go to these places and try to encourage the ones that are not.
Plastic Bags are the Worst!
So easy, just take your own bag….
We hope this helps and well done to so many of you Phanganists who are doing your bit already!
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