Humble News: Green Spotlight 5 & 6 - Plastic Free & Plant Power

Last and definitely not least on the Green Spotlight series we focus more on being Plastic (Waste) Free. This report will showcase news, updates, highlights and inventions to mitigate plastic use from across the globe, as well as some innovative products that are plant-based. And no, it's not limited to food items anymore. Scroll through to learn more about minimizing your carbon footprint by limiting or finding the perfect swap to plastic.

These countries below have taken a strong stand against one form of plastic or the other, especially single-use types of plastic, phasing them out and banning their use altogether.

- Bangladesh: first country to ban single-use plastic and polythene bags in 2002.
- Rwanda: world’s first ‘plastic-free’ since 2009 by banning all plastic bags and plastic packaging. Anyone who is caught with a plastic item faces a jail sentence of up to six months.
- Kenya: strictest ban since 2017, the legislation prohibits the manufacture, importation and sale of plastic carrier bags, punishable with a maximum of four years in prison or a $40,000 fine.
- Caribbean Islands: known as a travel destination, especially for cruises, the islands (Jamaica, Dominica, Barbados, Turks & Caicos and St. Kitts & Nevis) are eliminating and banning the use and entry of single-use plastic in the islands.
- UK: being separate from the EU, the Environmental Protection Agency is putting pressure for the UK to instate a plastic-free regulation, resulting in restricted supply and distribution of single-use plastic straws, cotton buds and stirrers.
- Thailand: as the 5th highest contributor of plastic waste in the ocean, Thailand banned plastic bags in 2021 and will completely stop the import of any plastic scraps by 2025.
- Canada: the government drafted Single-Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations (2021) to prohibit the manufacture, import, and sale of six categories of single-use plastics, including checkout bags, cutlery and ring carriers.
- India: banned (July 2022) the production and use of single-use plastics. India is promoting bamboo-based and sugarcane alternatives to plastic in an effort to provide economic opportunities to local indigenous communities.
- China: has banned (2021) single-use plastic bags and utensils from major cities, and single-use straws were banned nationwide.
- European Union: all countries under the union have implemented the banning of single-use plastics and tableware, straw, balloon sticks and cotton buds. The end goal is an EU circular economy model via which any remaining disposable plastics will be reusable or recyclable by 2030.
- United States: Since 2020, these eight states have banned single-use plastic bags including California, Delaware, Connecticut, Maine, Hawaii, Oregon, New York, and Vermont. And as of 2022, the government has started the ban on selling plastic-based products in public lands such as national parks.

Given all the laws that these major countries have banning not only the use but the distribution and eventually the manufacturing (supply) of plastic, we have put together a chart of possible plastic replacements that you can (easily) find for your daily use.

While more focus on research and development is being put into play both by the government and businesses, we are sure that there will be more creative alternatives coming our way in a few months or years. Such as Notpla’s packaging which is literally zero-waste as it is made up of seaweed that naturally disintegrates.

That is why, more and more scientists are looking into PLANTS and some creative, functional way to use this Plant Power to replace non-biodegradable and non-earth-friendly materials and “commodities”. Some exciting new research that we covered from the last year, includes:

- Mycelium (mushrooms) as discovered by Philip Ross when processed a certain way can produce non-concrete bricks and is even said to be stronger ten-fold.
- Biodegradable "plastic" made from plant waste (the non-edible parts of plants), breaks down into harmless sugars in the environment.
- Using succulents, scientists have another renewable energy breakthrough by being able to generate electricity from a shrub.
- Variations of Okra, Aloe and Cactus "goo" have been said to contain properties that help absorbs microplastics in the ocean (or waterways).
- Using Lotus leaves (Salvinia) helps absorb oil spills, greatly lowering the environmental cost and resources used for clean-up.
- Muskin (mushroom) leather is discovered to be the latest and most durable form of faux leather.
- Scientists discovered ways to use plants to create a new generation of robots that can naturally repair themselves.
- Lingin from trees, is the new plant-based alternative for foam widely used in car seats and mattresses. Foam is said to be the 6th most-produced plastic-based product in the world.

And while we are very excited about all these developments and new technologies, we hope that when more supply and alternatives are available, these products become more accessible and affordable for the public to choose and use over plastic willingly. High hopes and big dreams of a plastic-free and zero-waste future! To keep up-to-date with everything HEI, make sure to follow us on Instagram @humbleearthinitiative.

Sources:
https://www.rd.com/article/most-sustainable-countries/
https://www.soalliance.org/soablog/plastic-free-july-20-countries-taking-action
https://learn.eartheasy.com/guides/the-best-eco-friendly-alternatives-for-the-plastic-in-your-life/