Tag: environment

Sporting way to say no to plastic

by sharonply, posted in Sharon Initiatives

Who says cricket is all about entertainment? Since the launch of T20 cricket in 2008, the game has earned the mega-entertainment tag and has inspired several other Premier Leagues for sports, one of them being TNPL. Sharon Ply is TNPL2019 Strength Partner and the company has used this occasion to spread awareness about caring for the environment.

Sharon Ply has put in place one plastic-bottle-shredding each at both the TNPL venues in Dindigul and Tirunelveli. It is to be noted that Sharon Ply has installed these machines at other venues too, earlier this year. Boards have been placed near the Shredding machines to encourage the public to drop PET bottles into the machine. Those who do so are also rewarded with a tree sapling – two birds in one stone.

Sharon Ply uses every opportunity at publicity to also raise awareness about environmental issues. When the company got on board as one of the event sponsors for TNPL, the idea of having this machine at the district venues was mooted to Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. It’s at such places that initiatives like these can be implemented to good effect and TNPL agreed to follow through with the eco-friendly plan.

The crowd in Dindigul and Tirunelveli have warmed up to this idea, with many  from the audience flocking to the machine on match-days. The shredder machines offer novelty factor and this draws more people to it. After the TNPL, Sharon Ply plans to locate these machines at public places.

Sharon Ply has also ensured that all the promotional material they distribute at the venues are eco-friendly. The company hopes to distribute around 2000 tree saplings by the end of the TNPL season.

 

 

How much Plastic do Humans consume?

by sharonply, posted in Eco Friendly Info

How much Plastic do humans consume?

If you thought that was an odd question, you’d be surprised to learn that an average human consumes the equivalent of one credit card per week!

One third of all plastic the world produces ends up in our oceans polluting the seas and affecting the poor marine animals that end up eating these. Of particular concern are the micro-plastic particles that plague our oceans which is consumed by fish. This fish, when eaten by humans, end up in our system. The medical world is yet to fully understand the health consequences this has on our bodies.

Researchers estimate (source: https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/credit-card-plastic-04323/)  that people who eat Mussels might end up consuming 11,000 micro-plastic particles a year. And if you thought vegetarians are free from this risk, think again. Even sea-salt has micro-plastic and 1 kilogram of sea-salt could have 600 micro-plastic particles in it.

In all, scientists estimate that humans might be consuming 50,000 micro-plastic pieces  every year. It is upon us to act immediately to eliminate single-use plastic and micro plastic from our lives in order to save ourselves, if not the environment.

India Pledges to Eliminate Single-Use Plastic by 2025

by sharonply, posted in Eco Friendly Info

India consumes an estimated 16.5 million tonnes (1.6 million truckfull) of plastic annually according to a June 2018 report by PlastIndia Foundation.  43% of this is single-use packaging material which mostly end up in garbage heaps since only 20% of Plastic produced annually is recycled. It is now common knowledge that this plastic waste ends up clogging our waterways harming marine life and also pollutes our soil by leaching poisonous toxins.

At the UNEA (United Nations Environment Assembly) held in Nairobi, Kenya, in March 2019, India piloted a resolution on phasing out single-use plastic by 2025. India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, had said

“The choices that we make today will define our collective future. The choices may not be easy. But through awareness, technology, and a genuine global partnership, I am sure we can make the right choices. Let us all join together to beat plastic pollution and make this planet a better place to live.”

In tandem with this, India has unveiled a campaign to tackle plastic pollution along its 4,660 miles of coastline and will seek to make 100 national monuments litter-free.

On this World Environment Day, it is upon each of us to ensure that material prosperity does not compromise our environment. Reducing usage, reusing materials and recycling disposables are imperative diktats that each one of us has to adhere, in order to make the 2025 deadline of eliminating plastic a reality.