It’s durable, inexpensive, light weighted and has practically transformed our lives. No other material offers the benefits it does, but unfortunately, they come at a terrible price – at the cost of human and environmental health. We’re talking about plastic, the old bete-noire of ecologists everywhere. That’s why, this year, the theme of World Environment Day is ‘Beat Plastic Pollution.’

And beat plastic pollution we must! Plastic has always figured in any discussion about the environment. From the most rural hinterlands to the urban jungle, plastic pollution is rampant in India. You find it clogged inside the drains, you see it littered at tourist spots and you can even spot it bobbing in the lakes and rivers. These days, the indestructible plastic has also found its way inside the bodies of aquatic creatures; not too long ago, a whale died after ingesting 80 plastic bags.

But sadly, the one thing that keeps us from a plastic-free world is our heavy dependence on the material. You will be amazed that an Indian uses approximately 25 pounds of plastic every year, which is only a tenth of what Americans do. Here’s a complete break-down of plastic usage, in a day of an average Indian.

Waking Up

The day begins with plastic for almost all Indians. If you start your day with a drink of water, you are most likely to be pouring it out of a plastic bottle. Toothbrushes and tongue cleaners are made of plastic, and toothpaste is contained within a plastic casing. Mouthwash and dental floss are also stored in plastic containers.

Personal Hygiene

Personal hygiene products such as body washes, shampoos and conditioners are all stored in plastic containers and have to be replaced on a monthly basis. Grooming products like plastic razors are use-and-throw in nature. You may need a new one every week or two. The facial scrubs that you use contain microbeads, tiny plastic particles that help exfoliate the skin. But unbeknownst to you, these very microbeads are indestructible; they pollute water bodies and even kill the fish. Toilet seats, shower curtains and soap dishes are all plastic. Imagine how much your personal hygiene routine contributes towards the plastic menace.

Meals

Your breakfast, unless you freshly prepare it every day, comes out of a plastic box. Breakfast cereals that you from the stores may come in a cardboard box. But companies vacuum seal the cereals inside a plastic packet to ensure better shelf life. Even the pre-cut fruits that you picked up from the supermarket may be packed in a plastic tray with a thin film. Tetrapacks for yoghurt and juice are also lined with plastic. Your lunchbox is mostly made of plastic. To even take a sip of a cold beverage, you need a plastic straw. Americans alone use 500 million straws daily.

Commute

In the fiery heat of summer, you stop for a bottle of mineral water or a juice box on the go, both of which are made of plastic. The headphones that you use to cut out the ambient noise (and to avoid acknowledging people on the public transport) have plastic parts. Seats of trains and buses heavily relies on plastic parts.

Work

Even at work, you are heavily dependent on plastics. Everything from your cell phone to the laptop relies on plastic parts. The keys of your computer, the chair you sit on and even the stationery you use every day at work have plastic in it. You may carry a glass water bottle for health reasons. But remember, ultimately, the pipes that supply water to your office is also made of PVC. The water cups and the cooler that stores your water is also made of – you guessed it—plastic!

And this is just scratching the surface. A lot of us don’t realise how dependent we are on plastic. The material figures in every item we use on a daily basis, from food containers to personal hygiene products. Although breaking free from the tyranny of plastics may seem like a gargantuan step to take, we can always start small. Opting for cloth bags in the place of plastic bags, utilising glass bottles instead of plastic ones, buying stainless steel utensils, buying non-disposable razors made of metal, replacing plastic straws with metal ones and supporting eco-friendly brands.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 05, 2018 11:03 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).