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Plastic has a bad reputation. When we think of plastics, we usually think of single-use bottles, bags, and packaging being washed into the ocean or dumped into landfills – but there is a case for plastic to be used.

Should You Really Stop Using Plastic?

Plastic has been a part of our lives for over 60 years and has become an integral part of industries and our everyday lives.

Is all this plastic trash cluttering up landfills and polluting our oceans the result of all that plastic we use, or is it because we simply dispose of it the wrong way? Is it too much plastic that is the problem, or is there a better way to use and dispose of plastic?

No matter the questions asked, the issue isn’t just about reducing plastics – it’s about using them more responsibly. The case for plastic use implies that we should stop using so many single-use plastics, especially for products like water bottles, straws, bags, etc.

Pros and Cons of Plastic Usage

The amount of plastic used today is not actually that much compared to the number of other items made from other materials. If anything, this is a good thing as it shows how efficient and recyclable plastic is in comparison to other materials.

There are definitely some cases where plastic is a good option. For example, Bito storage systems use plastic storage containers in their process, which is an excellent use of the material. They also have an article on their website about how to spot high-quality plastic.

It’s attention to detail like this that really does drive the case for plastic use within specific use-case scenarios. However, for every pro, there’s always a con, and the biggest argument against the use of plastic lies in the field of packaging and single-use plastics.

Ideally, we should move away from single-use plastic entirely – especially when it comes to packaging. Whether we’re talking water bottles or packaged goods, single-use plastics should be avoided where possible.

Single-use plastics are not just environmentally unfriendly and harmful; they are also unhealthy in terms of the chemicals used to make them. They can leach into your food or water and may be linked to cancer or other illnesses.

Plastic is a chemical-intensive material and we need to start being more conscious about the amount of plastic we use and the way we dispose of it. Unfortunately, we currently do not have a sustainable solution for a lot of the plastic that goes out with our trash.

Plus, it goes without saying that we should also look for more durable materials that will last longer than single-use plastic.

Plastic Alternatives To Consider

There are many viable options for plastic alternatives on the market these days, and you should definitely consider them.

Some of the most popular options being used today include:

These are just a handful of the alternatives to single-use plastics you can use for packaging, but there are much more available on the market.

From bamboo toothbrush holders to stainless steel disposable cutlery, there’s no shortage of sustainable and healthy plastic alternatives out there.

Claire Preece