Over 55 homes: World Environment Day and solutions for plastic pollution
Since 1973, World Environment Day has been celebrated on 5th June every year! It’s the largest international day for the environment. Now in its 50th year, the focus for 2023 is raising awareness and actioning solutions when it comes to the plastic pollution crisis. Whether you’re young or old, within our over 55 homes at Burnham Waters, we are doing our part to help towards the environmental crisis.
This week, we focus on plastic pollution, what it is and what can be done to combat the problem for a cleaner, safer and greener environment.
The problem with plastic
Did you know that humanity produces 430 million tonnes of plastic each year? 65% of this ends up as waste, filling the ocean and even works its way into the human food chain. Plastic is embedded into our daily life and has a significant impact on wildlife, the climate and human health.
From a business perspective, plastic is deemed an affordable and durable way of packaging many products and goods. In fact, the packaging sector is the largest generator of single-use plastic around the world, with 36% of all plastics produced used in packaging! Industries such a farming and fashion also heavily contribute to the plastic pollution crisis. It’s imperative that we utilise alternative options now, before the damage cannot be reversed at all.
What is being done externally?
As we write, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee is developing a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution to be finished by 2024. From what we know from the UNEP website, it focuses on the entire life cycle of plastics, from extraction and product design to production to waste management, enabling opportunities to design out waste before it is created as part of a thriving circular economy.
Whilst this is positive progress, the current commitments by governments and industry are still not enough. To effectively tackle the plastic pollution crisis, systemic change is needed. Experts have urged us to move away from the current linear plastic economy, which centres on producing, using and discarding the material, to circular plastic economy. This is where the plastic that is produced is kept in the economy at its highest value for as long as possible.
What can we do to help plastic pollution?
Yes, the plastic pollution crisis needs systemic evaluation and change, but individual choices and working together as a community, like we do at our o, we really do make a difference in the long-term. It’s important to shift old behaviours when it comes to plastic. So many of the changes that can be made are simple, easy and won’t affect our day-to-day that much. However, this reform will make a huge difference to our planet and the rising plastic pollution problem.
Here are some of our achievable top tips that can help to combat plastic pollution Let’s be part of the solution together!
No single use plastic
The simplest way areas like our over 55 homes at Burnham Waters can help to combat plastic pollution, is to stop buying single use plastic. This includes – straws, cutlery, cling film, cups, bottles, for example.
Reuse and repurpose
If you must use plastic, re-use or re-purpose until the item can no longer be used anymore. These should be recycled or disposed of properly afterwards.
Bring your own bag
Be sure to being your own bags (popularly known as BYOB) when shopping. Additionally, where possible, try to purchase locally sourced products and seasonal food options that require less plastic packaging and transport.
Refillable bottle
Thirsty? Rather than purchasing bottles of water when you’re out and about, simply buy a water bottle to refill each day! You’re saving your pocket as well as the environment.
Beware of microbeads
Take a look at your beauty products. Many of those ‘scrubbing’ lotions and potions are actually made up of plastic scrubbing microbeads. Beware of products like facial scrubs, toothpaste and exfoliating body washes. The tiny plastic beads slip through water-treatment plants, adding to the micro plastic problem, and also look just like food to some marine animals. Simply swap to products with natural exfoliants, like oatmeal or salt, instead.
Buy in bulk
When shopping, try buying in bulk. This minimises your plastic packaging consumption and product-to-packaging ratio. When it comes to food, you can batch cook and freeze things for longevity. Bulk buying can also save you money month to month, especially if you’re buying for more than one person.
Take responsibility
It sounds easy, but everyone should take the responsibility to recycle. Most of us would admit that we could be doing more. Be sure to look for the recyclable label on your products. This will tell you if something can be recycled and sometimes, even its recyclable category.
Avoid purchasing non-recyclable items
In the same vein of the above, if an item cannot be recycled, take note and don’t repurchase where possible. Try and look for more sustainable alternatives.
Get in touch
We only get one world - it’s paramount that we look after it. At Burnham Waters within our over 55 homes, we’re committed to creating a greener environment and making a difference within our industry. Our mission to create a positive community for over 55s works in synergy with our commitment to the planet. We want to lead in reducing the carbon footprint of retirement villages in Essex and head the proactive change for our sector. For more on what we’re doing to positively impact the environment, take a look at our ‘Going Green’ blog.
If you’re looking at over 55 homes and retirement villages in the Essex area, our coastally located village is set within a beautiful and communal ecological landscape are minutes away from further unspoilt coastal landscapes by the riverside town of Burnham-on-Crouch. If you’re interested in hearing more about Burnham Waters bungalow and our over 55 bungalows, our friendly team are on hand to answer any questions on the details below:
- Call our sales team at on 01621 861559
- Send us an email at info@burnhamwaters.co.uk
- Fill out our contact form for a downloadable brochure
Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom of our home page and sign up to our newsletter for all the latest news on our community for the 55 and overs. We look forward to hearing from you!
