Why do we need to reduce plastic consumption?

It’s not so long ago that plastic was hailed as a marvel of modern times. However, it’s now a global environmental crisis.

The widespread use of plastic has led to pollution, ecosystem damage, and harmful impacts on both wildlife and humans.

It is crucial we all do our part to reduce our reliance on plastic for the sake of our planet and future generations.

Plastic Pollution is Choking Our Oceans and Wildlife

Plastic waste is persistently polluting our oceans, rivers, and other bodies of water. According to the Ocean Conservancy, plastic items such as bottles, bags, and straws are among the most common items found during beach clean-ups.

These plastics will likely remain in the environment for hundreds of years, posing a threat to marine life. Marine life is particularly affected with sea turtles, whales, seabirds, and other creatures at risk of becoming entangled in plastic debris – often with fatal results.

Plastic Contributes to Climate Change

The production of plastic is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The extraction, refining, and manufacturing of plastic require significant energy inputs, primarily from fossil fuels.

In addition, the decomposition of plastic waste in landfills and oceans releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. As plastic production continues to rise, so do its carbon footprint and impact on climate change.

Plastic is Persistent and Harmful to Ecosystems

Plastics do not biodegrade; they only break down into smaller pieces known as microplastics. These microplastics can persist in the environment for hundreds of years. They can infiltrate ecosystems, disrupt natural processes, and harm wildlife, from the tiniest plankton to the largest whales. Microplastics have been found in freshwater sources, such as rivers and lakes, as well as in remote areas such as the Arctic and Antarctica, highlighting the pervasive nature of plastic pollution.

Plastic Pollutants Pose Health Risks to Humans

The impact of plastic pollution is not limited to wildlife and ecosystems; it also poses risks to human health. Microplastics can enter the human food chain through contaminated water, air, and food. Studies have shown that microplastics have been found in drinking water, seafood, salt, and even in the air we breathe. The long-term health effects of ingesting microplastics are still being studied, but evidence suggests that they may have detrimental impacts on human health, including potential harm to our organs, immune system, and reproductive system.

The good news is that reducing plastic consumption is a feasible and effective solution to tackle plastic pollution. By embracing a lifestyle that minimizes plastic use, we can collectively make a significant positive impact on the environment. Looking for more tips on how to cut down to be greener and cut down your plastic consumption? Well, we have a blog for that! And for even more tips, make sure to follow us on Instagram

Easy eco-friendly Halloween crafts

Not sure what to do with your leftover toilet rolls? With Spooky Season around the corner, you can magically transform these little bits of cardboard into some creative Halloween decorations. 

Here at Feel Good, we care about the environment and creating sustainable solutions by repurposing this bathroom item, to decorate your home in a fun, easy and eco-friendly way, with minimal extra materials. 

Take a look at these 5 creative craft ideas!

Bat

Hang these little critter’s from your ceiling to make your space feel like a bat cave.

Step 1: Start by painting the outside of your roll with black paint. 

Step 2: Cut out two eyes and spiky teeth with white card (a more eco-friendly solution to plastic googly-eyes).

Step 3: Next, cut out some bat wings with any card you have – old cereal or tissue boxes work well here – and paint black.

Step 4: Stick the wings onto the back of the roll with glue or tape. 

Spider Sweet Holder 

Sprinkle these little spiders around and fill them up with spooky sweets. 

Step 1: Paint the inside and outside of your roll with black paint. 

Step 2: Using scissors, cut out rectangles facing each other on the roll, approximately ¾ of the way up – these will be the front and back of the spider. 

Step 3: Cut three slits on each side, also ¾ up the roll – these will be the legs. Where the legs start, bend them outward and fold downward toward the end of the leg. 

Step 4: Draw on a couple of googly-eyes and a mouth with spiky teeth with white sharpie or paint. 

Step 5: Cut a black circle made of card, the same circumference of the roll and stick to the leg side of the spider. 

Step 6: Finally, fill up the top of the spider with whatever sweets you like! 

Goofy Ghouls 

Halloween doesn’t have to be too scary. Add a little silliness with these goofy ghouls. 

Step 1: To start, paint your rolls white on both sides. 

Step 2: With black paint or sharpie, add on two eyes and a mouth – these can be a little wonky.

Step 3: Finish off your ghosts with two arms by cutting out the arms with white card, and stick them onto the sides. 

Mummy 

Got a little extra toilet paper? Make this super simple mummy with only two steps!

Step 1: Wrap several pieces of scrap toilet paper around the roll and stick together with small drops of glue.

Step 2: Simply draw two eyes onto your roll and voila!

Castle

Feeling extra creative? Why not try out this challenging spook-tacular castle. 

Be as creative as you like with the size and formation of your castle. 

Step 1: Paint your rolls black or grey and leave to dry. 

Step 2: Draw on your designs in black, white, or grey sharpie – draw cobbles, windows, front door and some vines.

Step 3: Carefully cut out your windows with scissors or a craft knife. 

Step 4: Create a grassy base with green card and shape like a lawn. Draw on some bunches of grass for extra detail. 

Step 5: Position a few of your rolls for the first level and glue together. Now attach these to the green base. 

Step 6: Cut out a shaped piece of card for the second floor and paint it the same colour as your castle. Glue this onto the top of your lower level. 

Step 7: Now position your second level tubes and glue them together, as well as onto the second floor base. 

Step 8: Stick two tubes together to create a tall turret and add a cone on top by cutting a pattern for a cone and shaping it with coloured card. 

Step 9: Cut some small squares out around the top of the tubes to give a castle wall effect.

Step 10: To enhance your castle, place electric tea lights into the windows and watch them glimmer in the dark.

Step 11: Take your castle to the next level, with mini pumpkins, cauldrons, and a witch.

If you liked these boo-tiful crafts, then head over to our Instagram for even more ideas on repurposing your rolls.

Or if you want even more tips on how to have a green Halloween, check out last years blog!

Make Your University Halls Feel Good

Whether you’re moving to your first halls at university or helping someone prepare for the first big step out of the nest. Packing for university can be overwhelming. Especially if you’re making the effort to be eco-conscious, in between freshers’ fairs and pot noodles. 

We’ve asked around Feel Good HQ, and here are some things the team wish they had taken to their first uni accommodation and found some options that’ll help you feel good about your first halls.

A bath mat

It might not seem essential, but whether you have a communal bathroom or you share one, a bath mat is essential. They help keep the bathroom just a little cleaner, and they can look pretty cute! Urban Outfitters is the ultimate option for a funky bathmat. 

Candles

You’ll probably want to air out and freshen up your room as you move in. You might be tempted to get some plug-in air fresheners, but make sure you go for candles instead. Plugin refreshers not only use unnecessary electricity, but are often made with toxic materials that make them hard to recycle. 

Flip flops

Okay, hear us out. We know the UK isn’t necessarily a year-round, flip-flop-wearing country but… If you’ve got communal showers, flip-flops are a must. You never know what germs are lurking on those communal shower floors…

A pack of toilet rolls!

(helps if it’s Feel Good) 

In all the fuss and rush, sometimes the essentials get forgotten. But make sure you’ve packed some toilet rolls, so you don’t have to run to the shop as soon as you’ve moved in! You can also guarantee someone else will have forgotten so you can be there to lend a helping hand by sharing a roll. But, if everyone in your halls remembered this essential, you can rest assured that you’re stocked up for a while! 

If you’re looking for an even more extensive list of everything you need to take to uni, head over to the UCAS website and if you want more tips on living an eco-friendly life, have a look at our bumf page.