The last few months I’ve been posting a lot about veganism. I’ve gone vegan a while back and so I’ve also been learning a lot at the same time. That’s why I share a lot too. But this blog is not only about veganism and it started at first with a zero waste lifestyle. And about that last subject I haven’t shared much lately. And so today I am sharing the first documentary I watched about waste: Bag It.
First Time
I think Bag It is the first documentary I watched intentionally. There are documentaries I’ve seen come by on tv, but I didn’t watch those intentionally. I did with Bag It. It was the first time I wanted to learn more about something. And oh did I learn.
Bag It
Bag It is a documentary who at first is about a very well-known polluter: the plastic bag. Therefore the name, Bag It. But eventually the documentary discusses the entire waste pollution problem as a whole. However, it is mainly focussed on consumers. Single-use products play a major role in this documentary, but the biggest plastic polluter in oceans are fishing nets. Please remember that. The best way to clean the oceans is to stop eating fish. If you do that, then you can switch to other parts of a zero waste lifestyle (or at the same time, but to stop eating fish is the best).
Bag It is a documentary that can easily be translated into action. Banning that plastic bag, bringing your own bag and tadaaa, problem solved. That’s the reason I like this documentary. Yes, fishing nets are the biggest problem and besides going vegan there isn’t much we can do about that. But there are other things we can do and Bag It gives some insight in those things. It’s an eye-opener and gets you into an action mode.
“Think about it. Why would you make something that you’re going to use for a few minutes out of a material that’s basically going to last forever while you’re just going to throw it away. What’s up with that?” – Jeb Berrier
Top 10 Litter Items
In the documentary you see the consequences of plastic pollution. Especially the biggest one everyone always mentions: the plastic soup. Many organizations have made top 10’s of the most frequently found items on beaches (you can easily look up those list, they differ per area). Single-use products are the problem here. And so I want to share the 4 easiest tips I have to reduce single-use plastic waste.
4 Tips
- Say no to straws if you can. This is the easiest step if you’re not dependent on straws (mind you, for some disabled people straws are of great importance). All you need to do is form a habit. Whenever you order a drink, ask the waiter for no straw. Even if they weren’t planning on putting one in, you’re always safe. Need motivation? Watch The Turtle Video (it’ll break your heart).
- The golden tip from this documentary Bag It: bring your own bag! You can fold it up really small and take it with you everywhere you go. I always take one with me in my purse. This way you’re always prepared, even on unexpected shopping sprees.
- Buy a reusable drinking bottle. And then form another habit by taking it with you all the time, wherever you go. This way you always have access to water and you never have to buy disposable bottles ever again. Bye single-use caps and bottles!
- Don’t use balloons. No helium ballons, no regular balloons, no wishing balloons (the ones which are made out of paper and need a candle to make them fly). We consider this normal but it’s really not. These balloons always end up in the environment and that’s not where we want them. Need an alternative? Use bows.
Sometimes plastic-free living can seem overwhelming. But you have to start somewhere and I suggest you start small. These 4 tips can help you on your way. And Bag It is hopefully the next documentary on your watch list.
Yours sincerely,
Romee