In ancient times, humans used tree leaves for servicing food and clay pots to cook and drink out of. As we grew smarter and with the help of technological growth, we started innovating more reliable and easier to use solutions like the use of plastic and aluminum followed by Styrofoam. While these were more reliable and long lasting, these have many other environmental and health concerns.
Styrofoam is non-biodegradable and non-recyclable. It can take 500 years or more to decompose. Since this is non-recyclable, it gets dumped as landfill and stays there for years. Manufacturing process for Styrofoam requires use of chemicals that release large amounts of ozone into the atmosphere, that can cause respiratory issues. Eating and drinking out of these Styrofoam products can also cause health problems.
Statistics show that use of Styrofoam products can cause irritation of the skin, eyes and respiratory tract and gastrointestinal problems. Chronic exposure affects the nervous system, causing symptoms like depression, headache, fatigue and weakness, and minor effects on kidney function and blood. Not to mention, when these are sitting in landfills and innocent animals end up mistaking these for food, it threatens their health.
Now there is a big push to go back to our original roots and seek tree-based products. The good news is that technology has grown to new heights and can support much more biodegradable options. The research shows that almost all the tree and plant waste can be used to develop sustainable products, and these items are fully biodegradable. Some may argue that these items cost more than Styrofoam or plastic. While this is true that biodegradable options are costlier than other toxic materials, it is imperative that we also analyze the cost of human health and environmental cost. These costs are much higher than the saving the use of non-biodegradable products.
We just need to stop using these and make the necessary change. Sometimes, I see people thinking that everyone else is using it and if I stop it is only one person. Remember, you are the one person who can make a difference. As Gandhi stated, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” If each one of us decides to change ourselves, the earth will change and will be a better place to live.
Remember to RECREATE and RESHAPE our own environment, our own future, and the future of our upcoming generations.
Thanks for reading Beyond the Journey!
