April 22nd sees the worldwide celebration of ‘Earth Day’. It’s time to take a moment and think about the environmental challenges facing our planet and the positive steps we can all take to protect it. This year, Earth Day’s theme, ‘Planet vs. Plastics,’ urges us to tackle the impact of plastic on our health and the environment head-on.
The problems caused by plastic are pretty serious:
1. Heavy Reliance on Fossil Fuels: Making plastic uses a lot of fossil fuels, which makes our carbon footprint bigger.
2. Long Decomposition Period: Most plastics take centuries to break down in landfills, sticking around and causing harm for a long time.
3. Threat to Nature: Plastic pollution is a big danger to our ecosystems, especially in our rivers and seas, where it harms marine life and habitats.
Here’s a shocking fact to think about: by 2050, there could be more plastic pieces in the ocean than fish, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
But it’s not all doom and gloom! At Boughey Distribution, we’re doing our bit to reduce plastic waste and make a positive impact:
– Last year, we recycled a whopping 82.62 tonnes of plastic waste, doing our part to help the environment.
– We’re always on the lookout for new and better ways to package our products. Right now, our machine wrap includes 30% recycled material, making it a more eco-friendly choice.
– In June 2023, we said goodbye to plastic cups in our vending machines, saving 3.9 tonnes of plastic in the process.
– We’re proud to say that we’re a zero-waste-to-landfill business. This means that all our general waste gets burned rather than being dumped in a landfill, reducing our impact on the environment.
– As a gift to our employees for supporting our Earth Day efforts, we are offering a free, stylish, green cloth bag carrying the message reduce, reuse, recycle – perfect for reducing the use of plastic at work and at home.
But we can’t do it alone! You can join us in making a difference:
Things You Can Do Today
Step 1 – Reduce: Start by cutting down on your plastic use. Say no to single-use plastics like water bottles, pick products with less packaging, and try out plastic-free alternatives wherever you can.
Step 2 – Re-use: Give your plastics a second chance at life by reusing them. Whether it’s using carrier bags again, refilling bottles, or wearing your clothes for longer, every little bit helps reduce the demand for new plastic.
Step 3 – Recycle: While recycling is important, remember it’s not a cure-all. It’s better than throwing plastic away, but it’s not a permanent solution. That’s why reducing and reusing come first!
Together, we can make a real difference. Let’s work together to protect our planet for generations to come.
