Let’s Talk Plastic

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), every piece of plastic you’ve ever used is still on this planet. Anywhere you travel in the world, you will encounter plastic pollution just like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is a collection of several large areas of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean totaling over 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic. This estimated weight of 80,000 metric tons of garbage poses a serious threat to marine life such as whales, sea turtles, fish, and birds. These remote plastic dumps may be out of sight for most people, but they nevertheless impact the health of humans everywhere. 

Plastic is not just an ocean problem, it is also a health and social justice problem. 99% of plastic is made from fossil fuels, a huge contributor to climate change. In the 1970s, the petrochemical and fossil fuel industry, promoted by consumer giants, spent millions of dollars pushing the myth of plastic recycling through ads to trick customers into believing that recycling was a real solution for the explosion of plastic packaging. However recycling is not the only solution. We now know that only about 91% of plastic we send out for recycling is difficult to recycle (ie: some of the plastics require too much heat and are more expensive than just buying new plastic). We can’t be dependent on recycling alone, our future depends on implementing sustainable refill and reuse systems not just in our homes but on a global scale. 

Every July there is a worldwide campaign to end plastic waste. A time to consider and reflect on our collective and individual contribution to plastic pollution. This movement has inspired 100+million participants in over 190 countries. Promoting that small sustainable changes in your daily life will collectively make a difference globally. Being a part of Plastic Free July can help you find more sustainable alternatives that can become new habits not just for the month, but forever!  

At Sol Terra Shop, we believe that being mindful of our planet is not just about the materials you avoid, but the materials you choose. All of our products are created with intention and less waste. 

• We use natural dyes in our clothing, made from native plants rather than synthetic dyes
• All our products are made to order, no needless inventory sitting on the shelves or going to waste.
• Natural and organic ingredients are used in our Home and Travel products, free of plastic chemicals and preservatives.
• We even have apparel made from recycled polyester, conserving our resources creatively.