Bali Direct has maintained a strong commitment to zero plastic deliveries, and in today’s blog post, we’re exploring why.
Talk of banning plastic seems to be happening everywhere. At the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi last year, more than 200 countries committed to reversing the widespread use of single-use plastic that is clogging our oceans and threatening vital marine ecosystems. Meanwhile, progressive cities all over the world are imposing taxes on plastic bags, and some are even banning them altogether. And university students across the globe are passing initiatives to remove plastic bags and bottles from their campuses.
But why all the fuss?
When plastic was invented at the start of the 20th century, it was widely lauded for its incredible ingenuity and usefulness. In many ways, plastic was a godsend. Manufacturers suddenly had access a lightweight, corrosion resistant, malleable, and transparent material which could be used to package quite literally everything. The use of plastic is so widespread that you can find it in everything from the flooring in your house, to audio tapes, to the more commonly talked about uses like water bottles and bags. The inventors of plastic thought it would be a boon to the global economy, but little did they know that these benefits would be far outweighed by the environmental destruction that ensued.
The global concern about plastic is driven by a number of factors. For one thing, plastic is full of harmful chemicals. Exposure to toxins found in plastic has been linked to cancer, birth defects, impaired immunity, and other ailments. But what makes plastic even more problematic is that it never goes away. Plastic is designed to last forever, and thus when it finds its way to our oceans, it persists for years on end, causing enormous harm to our marine ecosystems, and emitting toxins which ultimately find their way back into the human food chain. Scientists at the UN have called marine plastic pollution a “planetary crisis,” while others have spoken about the impact of ocean plastics on biodiversity, ecosystem services, food security, and human health as a “global threat.”
As a human being and consumer, there are myriad ways you can contribute to the reduction of plastic waste. An easy one is to purchase a reusable water bottle which you can easily carry everywhere you go. It not only protects the environment, but it will save you money in the long run. You can also avoid purchasing food items that are wrapped or packaged in plastic. That’s where Bali Direct comes into play, and where we’re extremely proud of our team’s commitment to zero plastic deliveries. Instead of using plastic cellophane and styrofoam to package your fresh produce, we do it with compostable banana leaves. Our zero plastic deliveries are prettier, healthier, and most importantly, better for the environment.
As a member of the Bali Direct family, we hope you share our commitment to conscious consumption and sustainable business practices. If you have questions about our zero plastic deliveries, want to share ideas about how to be a conscious consumer, or just want to chat business and sustainability, drop us an email at info@balidirectstore.com. We’d love to hear from you!
