Kick the habit! Towards lesser usage of plastics

Plastics indeed are a wonder material. We use it for almost everything. Unfortunately it is the most harmful trash because it does not readily breakdown in nature. In fact, the plastic that goes over the side today may still be around in hundreds of years to foul up the beaches of future generations. Careless disposal of plastics can have dire consequences. When plastic is burned, it has its own disadvantages. The only way to overcome the deadly and lasting danger of plastic pollution is to cut down the use of plastic, if possible avoid it altogether.

This World Environment Day (WED), Wild Wing Society along with Cognizant Go Green organized a three day plastic campaign at different Cognizant facilities in Chennai. The main purpose of this campaign was to create awareness among the associates about the adverse effects of plastic bags on the environment and provide ways for people to make a difference- reduce, reuse, recycle! Our short term goal is to reduce, reuse, and recycle but in the long run hope to achieve a zero waste policy.

Collection boxes and bins were kept at a common entrance point in all locations where the associates dropped the plastic wastes.

A register was kept for entering their personal details and contributions.

WWS extends its heartfelt thanks to all the associates for their participation in  the campaign.

 TRIVIA:

•  Each year, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide.
• Hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, whales and other marine mammals die every year from eating discarded plastic bags mistaken for food.
• On land, many cows, goats and other animals suffer a similar fate to marine life when they accidentally ingest plastic bags while foraging for food.
• Plastic bags don't biodegrade, they photodegrade—breaking down into smaller and smaller toxic bits contaminating soil and waterways.
• In 1999, 14 million trees were cut to produce the 10 billion paper grocery bags used by Americans that year alone.
• When retailers give away free bags, their costs are passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices.

·    Each high-quality reusable bag you use has the potential to eliminate an average of 1,000 plastic bags over its lifetime. The bag will pay for itself if your grocery store offers a $.05 or $.10 (USD) credit per bag for bringing your own bags

So, next time you do the shopping and carry home the things in a plastic carry bag, think and realize that you are contributing your share to a deadly plastic pollution.  There is only one planet, to care and share.

Help clean up the mess!!!