Each year, the world produces a staggering 430 million tonnes of plastic, and shockingly, over 11 million tonnes of it makes it's way into rivers, lakes, and oceans, causing immense harm to our planet’s ecosystems. As members of the AARVEN community, we believe that facts should spark both awareness and action. Here’s what you need to know, and how you can make a real difference, this Plastic Free July.
The Realities of Global Plastic Pollution
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Plastic Everywhere: From city streets to mountain peaks, and even our own bloodstreams, plastic pollution is now a planetary crisis.
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Mounting Waste: By the end of 2025, global plastic waste is projected to reach 460 million tonnes annually, with only 9% ever recycled, the rest is incinerated, landfilled, or lost to the environment.
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Waste in our Waters: Between 8 to 14 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans each year, adding to the estimated 75 to 199 million tonnes already swirling in the sea. The massive Great Pacific Garbage Patch now covers an area larger than Texas.
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Plastic Packaging: Nearly 36% of all plastic produced is used for packaging, the biggest source of plastic pollution, and 2 out of every 3 plastic items are single-use.
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Threats to Wildlife: Each year, more than 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals die from plastic polluting their natural habitats.
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Microplastics in Us: Microplastics have now been found in human lungs, blood, and even breast milk.
The Urgency
If we don’t act, the plastic problem will only get worse. The amount of plastic in our oceans is set to triple by 2040, potentially outnumbering fish by mass by 2050. With every minute, over 1 million plastic bags are discarded, and global use of plastic bags now exceeds 500 billion a year.
Everyday Solutions You Can Embrace
Complex problems require collective change, and every action counts. Here are impactful, simple steps you can take (and that we champion at AARVEN):
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Rethink Single-Use: Switch to reusable alternatives such as cloth shopping bags, beeswax wraps, and glass or stainless steel containers.
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Choose Ethical Brands: Support companies that actively reduce or eliminate plastic in their products and packaging, just as AARVEN does.
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Bulk & Refills: Shop in bulk where possible and use refill stations for cleaning and beauty products.
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Plastic-Free Swaps: Swap out plastic toothbrushes for bamboo, use bar soap instead of bottled, and opt for natural cleaning tools.
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Recycle Smartly: Familiarise yourself with local recycling rules and ensure plastics are thoroughly cleaned before recycling. Soft plastics can by recycled at many supermarkets in the UK.
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Speak Up: Share your journey, support policy changes, and encourage businesses and friends to join the movement.
Making conscious choices, one home, one purchase, one conversation at a time, can collectively turn the tide against plastic pollution. At AARVEN, we believe in the power of every small swap and every intentional act. Together, let’s make plastic pollution history. Find out more at www.plasticfreejuly.org.
Inspired to act? Explore AARVEN’s collection of artisan-made, plastic-free homeware and accessories—each a step towards a cleaner, fairer world.