Welcome to the Plastic Free Week Kick Off Event! With the Sweden Alumni Network XXX

We’re seeing some other worrying trends We’re seeing some other worrying trends. Since the 1950s, the rate of plastic production has grown faster than that of any other material. We’ve also seen a shift away from the production of durable plastic, and towards plastics that are meant to be thrown away after a single use. More than 99% of plastics are produced from chemicals derived from oil, natural gas and coal — all of which are dirty, non-renewable resources. If current trends continue, by 2050 the plastic industry could account for 20% of the world’s total oil consumption.

Only 9% of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled Only 9% of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled. About 12% has been incinerated, while the rest — 79% — has accumulated in landfills, dumps or the natural environment. Cigarette butts — whose filters contain tiny plastic fibres — were the most common type of plastic waste found in the environment in a recent global survey. Drink bottles, bottle caps, food wrappers, grocery bags, drink lids, straws and stirrers were the next most common items. Many of us use these products every day, without even thinking about where they might end up.

The same properties that make plastics so useful — their durability and resistance to degradation — also make them nearly impossible for nature to completely break down. Most plastic items never fully disappear; they just get smaller and smaller. Many of these tiny plastic particles are swallowed by farm animals or fish who mistake them for food, and thus can find their way onto our dinner plates. They’ve also been found in a majority of the world’s tap water. By clogging sewers and providing breeding grounds for mosquitoes and pests, plastic waste — especially plastic bags — can increase the transmission of vector-borne diseases like malaria. Source: https://www.unenvironment.org/interactive/beat-plastic-pollution/

About the Plastic Free Lifestyle Challenge The purpose of the Plastic Free Lifestyle Challenge is to create awareness around how much plastic we are in contact with every day and explore ways to avoid it. We hope you will think it is fun and that it will inspire other people to live a more plastic free life.

What is allowed? Food that was packaged in plastic and that was purchased prior to the challenge (we don’t want anything to go to waste) Some products that literally are impossible to find without plastic wrapped around them (toilet paper might be one of them). But if you come across items like this, make a post in the group about it. Maybe someone else in the challenge has found a solution? Hygienic product that has an impact on your health (menstrual pads for example) Plastics that you already own such as water bottles or plastic grocery bags. These you can reuse instead!

The point is to avoid all single-use plastics at all costs. What is not allowed? No single-use plastics (straws, cups, utensils, bottles, bags, boxes for takeout food) Food and other household products with plastic packaging The point is to avoid all single-use plastics at all costs.

Practicalities Dates for the challenge: Discussion forum for the challenge:

Tips and tricks Bring your own bag to the grocery store, also bring smaller bags for your fruit and veggies. Use bee wax paper instead of plastic wrapping paper Maybe give advice on where you can buy these and other useful things locally? Bring your own food boxes to the take out places and ask them to put your food in your own box. Get reusable items such as thermos for hot drinks, straws, food boxes, water bottle etc. Ask everywhere you go for staff to help you reduce plastics. Many service personnel are much more innovative than you might think!  Does anyone have more advice or ideas?

Finishing event! Share the details here about the finishing event