PLASTIC: Unwrapped – Milly Clover and Sophie Dorothe Lieke
18 months ago we began our journey with PLASTIC: Unwrapped, a partnership seeking solutions to plastic pollution. Our inspiration was drawn from a long-standing desire to actively engage in environmental stewardship and conservation. We wanted to find individuals around the globe who are making a difference and share their messages to inspire others to follow suit. At the time we were just two final year biology students, two individuals, embarking on an exciting mission. Now, with a wealth of hands-on experience under our belts, we can say with hand on heart that individual action is both imperative and hugely impactful. Whilst we set out wanting to share this message, we didn’t realise just how powerful we are as individuals. Just one action makes a difference. Each decision we make, each step we take has an effect, and no matter how big or small the effect, it makes a difference to someone or something.
A bit of background for those who don’t know us
What exactly is a sustainable life?
The word ‘sustainable’ gets thrown around a lot these days. It can actually be quite misleading and even intimidating at times and so we’d like to clarify a few things surrounding sustainability.
- A sustainable life does not mean you have to live ‘perfectly’
Nobody is perfect, nor is anyone capable of living ‘perfectly’. Sustainable living isn’t about extreme, sudden behaviours. In fact such action can cause more damage than good by putting too much demand on certain sectors, which is a pattern we have seen globally with many eco or vegan alternatives. A world full of people practising imperfect sustainability (i.e. small, baby steps within their means and context) is a whole lot more effective than a few people in the world doing it perfectly.
- Buying products that use the word ‘sustainable’ or ‘eco’ in their name is often not the answer
One thing we’ve learnt on our sustainability journey is that it’s very easy to get sucked into thinking that it is possible to live sustainably by choosing certain brands over others. Of course there is a time and a place for eco brands, and many are a great way of supporting small business or raising awareness. BUT. And this is a very big BUT. It is so important as a consumer to understand why a product has been labelled ‘eco’, as too often it is used as a form of greenwashing. Large companies are especially guilty of tricking us into thinking we are doing good when actually the effect of their actions towards corporate social responsibility are minimal. We have learnt to question the manufacturers. To check where these eco products are made – is it really sustainable to buy an ‘eco product’ that has been shipped halfway across the world? We’ve also learnt where to opt for not buying anything at all. Supporting an eco clothing brand is one thing, but why not support a local charity store so that we are prioritising the act of reusing over recycling or sustainable manufacturing?
- Sustainability does not always have to be expensive
Sustainability does not mean buying the new stainless-steel water bottle, when you have a hard, reusable plastic bottle. It does not mean to get rid of your lunchbox, to buy the newest bamboo or metal lunch boxes. Instead, it means eliminating single use plastics, and re-using the plastics that you already have until they have reached their end. Yes, being plastic-free can be seen as trendy, and yes, it can get expensive if you radically aim to change your life from one day to the next. Instead, start gradually, get second-hand where possible, search for ‘Exchange and Reuse’ groups in your area, repair what you have, and when you do make purchases, go for quality.
What are some simple swaps that we have made and what is their direct impact?
We are all capable of making a difference as individuals. Never underestimate your own power or ability.
“Individually we can make changes. Together we can make a difference.”
Milly and Sophie Dorothe of PLASTIC: Unwrapped