EARTHDAY.ORG, the force behind Earth Day, is joining up with ZeroWaste.org to celebrate International Day of Zero Waste. Designated by the UN to be marked on March 30th, it aims to encourage us all to rethink our consumption habits in general and this year to specifically reduce the amount of single-use plastic we use.
With recycling failing to scratch the surfaceof the plastic pollution problem, EARTHDAY.ORG advocates for a 60% reduction in the production of plastics by 2040. A goal we can reach given that half of ALL plastic we produce annually is single use. This partnership showcases a shared commitment to end the scourge of plastic pollution.
"Reducing the amount of plastic we produce is the only way we will solve this issue, and we can support this goal individually by rejecting the casual use of single use plastic in our lives. International Day of Zero Waste allows us to showcase to plastic producers and manufacturers that we really don't want these products anymore," says Michael Karapetian, The Great Global Cleanup Coordinator at EARTHDAY.ORG.
International Day of Zero Waste highlights EARTHDAY.ORG's continued focus on the serious health risks associated with plastics, as they break down into smaller particles known as microplastics, and plastic related additive chemicals leach out of them. These have been linked to some cancers, heart attacks, strokes, Alzheimer’s, endocrine disruption, male infertility, miscarriage, obesity and much more.
"By actively removing plastics and other waste from our lives, we are aiming to protect the environment from pollution as well as the health and safety of both ourselves and the people who live near the production of plastic. Ultimately, the solution is to reduce plastic production at the source." says Lydia McMullen-Laird, co-founder of ZeroWaste.org.
Join EARTHDAY.ORG and ZeroWaste.org by signing a pledge to go zero waste on March 30th, and gain access to resources and tips on living zero waste
