The world’s coasts today overlook the greatest, most unprecedented plastic waste tide ever faced in global history.

And we are responsible for it

To put this into perspective, here is a bit of math: In the 1950s the world made about 2 million tonnes of plastic a year. In 2018, the figure has risen 330m tonnes a yea.

And it is set to treble again by 2050

It makes sense why plastic is so popular: it is versatile, strong, light, and inexpensive. But, on the other hand, it is very slow to degrade. There are few affordable ways to sustainably dispose off plastic – which is why it ends up in our oceans.

And, while a major part of the blame falls on major industries and cooperations – individuals also have a huge role to play in this. And it’s time, we in Saudi Arabia, need to take up responsibility of how much plastic we consume – which is a LOT.

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Just take a look at the average amount of plastic we unnecessarily consume in a day – with all the disposable plastic bottles we buy from the baqalas to the plastic shopping bags we take to carry those plastic water bottles, to all the plastic used in take-outs and home deliveries, to the crazy amount of plastic bags used to carry our groceries home.

All of these are avoidable – and with minimum changes to our lifestyles too

Buy a water bottle. When you are buying just a quick snack or two from the baqala, opt out of the plastic bag and just hold the things in your hand. When you are buying groceries, carry a large bag with you to hold the groceries. Avoid the usage of straws. And stop your friends, family, and colleagues from unnecessary plastic consumption as well.

It’s really that simple

This is, in no way, implying that it will fix the global plastic crisis but it will make a huge difference and help create a culture around us about being more sustainable.

It’s an important start.