The Better Planet Plastic Petition

I think I can say that most of us want a better world for future generations to come.  I know as I get older, I am increasingly more concerned about the environment. With so much information out there it can be hard to know what to do to really make a difference, but you certainly can and you don't have to be an 'eco-warrior' either! 

What I am doing to becoming more eco-friendly

rubbish

Of course, it's a big and sometimes complicated subject. Personally, I am consciously buying less especially new, upcycling, and recycling. By doing these three things I feel I am helping to minimise my impact on the world and to be more environmentally aware and more eco-conscious.  I've even joined a group that picks up rubbish from the beaches and surrounding area. 

Buying less reduces the need for the consumption of energy whilst making the product and the packaging. Upcycling, especially if you have the skills in crafting can be fun and productive by making something new and different out of old products you no longer want.  Whilst recycling is especially important so that our waste can be manufactured and used again, and not burnt to produce greenhouse gases or sent to landfill. 

Let's focus on plastic recycling, what you can do to minimise plastics and the Better Planet Project by BetterYou.

Living in a seaside town


Living in a seaside town in South Wales, I see my fair share of rubbish. Yes, there are bins around but the amount of people we have had through here over lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic has been much more than usual. I can't blame people for coming here, it's a beautiful little town with some amazing beaches, however, the litter is getting unreal. Increased bins and litter collection has helped clean it up a little but also people need to realise that they need to take their litter with them if bins are full. It's a windy place, as many coastal destinations are, and before you know it the litter is everywhere including on the beaches and washed into the sea, causing harm to humans, animals and marine life. There is nothing worse than children playing on the beach and coming across broken glass. 

Better recycling

recycling bins

Recycling here in South Wales is not perfect but Wales generally has a decent recycling system for household waste. In fact, Wales is fast becoming a world leader in recycling with the mantra of Reuse, Repair and Recycle coming across strongly, whilst England seems to have a few problems in this area. For example, there is no national unified programme of household and industrial waste collection. This is where the company BetterYou wants to see change. 

BetterYou is a health care company that has a commitment to becoming a more sustainable brand through the Better Planet Project.  They are looking to transform their product range so that any plastics they use are ocean recycled or plant-based and 100 per cent recyclable. They are also removing all palm oil and palm oil derivates from all their products and reducing CO2 emissions. 

BetterYou are campaigning for local authorities to create a unified waste plastic collection and recycling programme in the UK. 

They feel that there needs to be a national programme that is 
  1. independently monitored
  2. standardised
  3. reviewed annually. 

Please sign the petition 


They've even set up a BetterYou petition which I think is worth signing, and I urge you to as well so that recycling becomes easier for the average person, the whole process is unified countrywide, and that the government monitors the progress made by the country as a whole. The UK should also strive to be self-sufficient and in control of its plastic recycling, rather than allowing materials to be sent overseas and to landfill.

People want to recycle but it's easy to get confused. To make recycling simpler is a worthy task, but a task I feel needs to be carried out to ensure people, know what can be recycled and know what recycling bag to put it in. Many people are confused about this and this needs to be evaluated, changes made and implemented to become more productive. 

It is time to end the confusing, differing recycling policies across English authorities so that we can all do our part in working towards a greener future. Signing the BetterYou petition by the 19th of April will mean that if they reach their goal of 10,000 signatures the government will respond to the petition and at 100,000 signatures it will be debated in parliament.

At the end of the day, we all want a better planet for future generations. 

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8 comments

  1. I think this is so important. I always recycle and our council provide great recycling facility's. The problem is sorting what goes where and if it can be recycled at all. I have signed the petition.

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  2. Like you I am more conscious of what I am buying and if I can reduce my plastic waste. So far I am doing pretty well but there is always room for improvement. I will always opt for the more eco-friendly option

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  3. I've been trying to buy more recyclable products when shopping. We've always recycled everything we can.

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  4. You're right, at the end of the day we just want a better plant and a better future for generations after us. I am trying to be conscious of what I buy and use, and try to only buy reuseable items when they're available and suitable x

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  5. This sounds like a brilliant initiative and so so important nowadays! I will definitely be signing the petition.

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  6. Definitely signing the petition, we need to reduce our use of plastic and recycle/reuse where we can. This is such a great initiative.

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  7. Recycling is so important and lucky that Wales has adopted the Reuse, Repair and Recycle approach. I wish England would also do the same. Our area is pretty good but more needs to be done for a better future.

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  8. We have really been trying to reduce our plastic and waste , we just want a happy planet

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