Individual action for systemic change
/We’re big believers in making individual change in an effort to spark both collective community change and also as a way to bring about larger changes amongst businesses and governments. But unfortunately our consumer changes in using less plastic and resources can only spark so much change, we need governments, industry and corporations to get involved and put in as much effort as we are to create real systemic change.
Lets take he plastics industry as an example. The plastic pollution crisis obviously starts at the source and we need the plastics industry (read Fossil Fuel Industry) to start taking responsibility for the plastic its producing. Its been reported that ‘the plastics industry has produced 98 tons of plastic waste since 1950 and its not slowing down, in 2050 there’s going to be 12 billion tons of plastic waste in landfills.’ ‘Around half of all plastic products produced are for single-use items’ and ‘right now, the amount of plastic waste ending up in the ocean every year is equivalent to five grocery bags per every foot of coastline around the globe. If we continue business-as-usual, global plastic waste is predicted to triple.’
The industry continues to put the onus on us to deal with their waste. This has been highlighted recently by Surfers Against Sewage and the findings from their 2020 #ReturntoOffender campaign where they found a ‘small number of brands highlighted the actions they were taking to reduce their plastic production but the majority of responses simply blamed the general public’. We desperately need businesses to recognise and take responsibility for the part they play in plastic pollution and we also need legislation forcing producers to take responsibility for both their production plans and for the life cycle of their plastic products.
If you have started on your plastic free journey with individual changes now is the time to start using your voice to get policymakers and businesses to listen and start making their own changes to further the plastic free and zero waste movements. Here are a few of our favourite ways to get involved:
Signing petitions: As Vicki Chillcott writes in an article for Surfers Against Sewage, ‘petitions are a way to provide a platform to indicate the electorate’s concerns’ and to get your voice heard. Keep a look out for shared petitions and take the time to sign, it doesn’t take long and could help bigger systemic change.
Directly contacting brands / corporations if you have been unhappy with any of their products or services. We recently invested in some new eco based cookware and were disappointed in the packaging used so contacted them directly to let them know. Calling out brands and businesses online can be another way to get them to listen, similar to the Surfers Against Sewage #ReturnToOffender campaign, taking a picture and calling out the brand on a social platform can get them to listen and also lead to community online action.
Community action is a really positive thing to join in with. Joining a community action group can help with feelings of helplessness by coming together with like minded individuals and amplifying each others voices. They can also help with the above actions, offering help and support with wording for emails/letters and starting petitions. You can look out for groups in your area, start your own or join in and support charities that are also fighting against the causes of plastic pollution, a few of our favourites are listed below:
Engaging in further study is a great way to increase knowledge, widen your reach and also a great way to meet people looking to do the same. Some options for further study are listed below:
Centre for Alternative Technology
How will you take your #plasticfree and #zerowaste actions further to fight for systemic change?
Sources used:
Gizmodo: The Lie Behind Plastic Pollution Is That We’re Responsible
Surfers Against Sewage: What Influences Government Policy Change On Plastic Pollution
Surfers Against Sewage: Thousands Take in Part in #ReturnToOffender Exposing The Digital Dirty Dozen
Josephine Becker: Single-Use Plastic Depends on Capitalism Depends on Single-Use Plastic
Earthjustice: How Big Oil is Using Toxic Chemicals as a Lifeline – and How We Can Stop It
Taylor Bratton: Changing the Scope of Zero Waste: My Journey from Indifference to Action
Yikes Podcast: EPISODE 2: Can lifestyle change save the planet?
