What consumes 17 million barrels of oil annually, kills 100,000 marine animals each year, makes up 10% of all human-generated waste, and takes 100 years to biodegrade? You probably guessed it - plastic. In an age of single servings and disposable everything, what can we do to reduce plastic pollution in the environment?

World Environment Day, a global day of environmental education and advocacy supported by the United Nations, began in 1974 and is still going strong today with a goal to lead global change for a healthier planet. The theme of World Environment Day 2018 is “Beat Plastic Pollution” and we’re planning a little giveaway to celebrate and encourage the Wild Interiors® family to help beat plastic pollution.

Individual Impact

Making small changes on an individual level is a step in the right direction. Reducing your reliance on single-use items like plastic cutlery and cups, straws, and bags is a great way to take charge of your personal plastic footprint. However, plastic was developed as a lightweight and cheap way to provide accessibility and ease of use, which greatly benefits people with mobility and health issues who may benefit from pre-packaged items that are easier to open and consume. We can’t just tell everyone to ditch the straws like that’s the perfect solution.

If you’re able to, it’s perfectly fine to say no thanks to a straw, bring along your own bamboo cutlery to a picnic, or use a stainless steel water bottle instead of grabbing a plastic bottle out of the cooler. But that’s not what’s going to make a lasting global impact. What we really need to do is encourage a change on a worldwide scale.

A Need for Change

According to the World Environment Day website, “At the heart of this is extended producer responsibility, where manufacturers must be held to account for the entire life-cycle of their consumer products. At the same time, those companies actively embracing their social responsibility should be rewarded for moving to a more circular model of design and production, further incentivizing other companies to do the same.” We must say, that sounds like a great goal for our global economy to aspire to.

World Environment Day 2018 encourages social change in the following four areas:

• Reducing single use plastics

• Improving waste management to reduce pollution

• Phasing out microplastics

• Promoting research into plastic alternatives

Wild Interiors® Sustainability

At Wild Interiors®, we have been working toward sustainability initiatives and a desire to keep things Earth-friendly and Designed by Nature®. Our greenhouses are heated with recycled wood boilers to virtually eliminate our dependence on natural gas, and our rainwater retention ponds are completely self-sustaining, allowing us to water our plants and re-filter the water again and again. When you’re operating over a hundred acres of indoor greenhouse space, every aspect of greenhouse operations is on the table to be improved and more friendly to the planet.

To reduce waste, we source recycled cardboard for production and distribution, and we also re-use and recycle plastic throughout the facility to reduce our dependence on new plastic materials. Our brand’s plants come in wood, clay, and ceramic pots, and the grower pot is made of recycled plastic. We also offer accessory items made from natural materials, like a braided hemp rope macrame hanger and a wooden plant stand.

Unfortunately, we aren’t able to cut out all plastic in our operation, but by focusing on recycled and recyclable materials, we’re able to make a more positive impact on the environment.

Our World Environment Day Giveaway

World Environment Day is June 5, 2018, so keep an eye on our social media channels for important news about plastic’s effect on the environment as well as action steps you can take to reduce your reliance on single use plastic.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @wild_interiors to enter our giveaway! One random winner each day will be selected to win a Wild Interiors® Prize Kit, including a reusable canvas shopping bag, stainless steel water bottle, and set of stainless steel straws.