Is It Possible To Live Plastic Free? (ft Zanna Van Dijk) | Plastic Planet | BBC Earth Explore

With plastics becoming a serious threat to the planet, Zanna Van Dijik looks into ways to reduce plastic consumption and whether it's possible to achieve a zero waste lifestyle.

Welcome to BBC Earth Explore! We make films about the incredible natural world, we investigate the conundrums, quirks and beautiful science of our amazing planet, delving into the BBC vaults and mixing it up with our own stuff to take a brand new look at Earth.

[jamieism]

I have become much more conscious in the last year of plastic I consume. I was already using tote bags for shopping (plastic bags are still the norm here) and coffee tumblers, buying fresh veg (no bag, just put them in a separate tote), etc. It’s the buying products in a non-grocery store that is the hardest thing. EVERYTHING comes in plastic. Toys, markers, art tools, etc etc. I recycle everything I can (though most isn’t accepted here in this small town), but man. It’s hard. Buying online is basically something I can’t avoid for good options, but everything uses plastic.

I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with all that unavoidable waste from non-groceries, and thinking about melting it down to use in something someday. I don’t know. I just don’t know. It’s so frustrating.

It would be a miracle to get major grocery stores like Safeway and the like to care one whit for the environment. They still sell meat and all sorts of junk food, so it’s obvious that they don’t.

[marmiy]

It’s impossible to live 100% plastic free, however it is very possible to minimize the amount of plastic you use. Switching to reusable straws, bringing your own mug to get coffee, eat less packaged foods, etc..

[lisaswinson]

I started buying food on glass containers when possible. So salad dressings, pasta sauce, etc. All come in glass. I reuse the glass for storage.

[waltergrigoryan]

BBC is stepping up with its thumbnail game haha

[Bashfuldoc]

I carry a bamboo straw and a titanium spork as well as my steel water bottle where ever I go. I stopped buying baggies and got reusable silicone bags. A steel bento box for restaurant left overs and take away. Reusable shopping bags, reusable produce bags. I'm just starting, but I'm determined!

[margarett_b]

I LOVE Zanna and absolutely agree with all she does so I'm crazily excited about this series! <3

[kovtundiana]

Zanna is freaking awesome, she truly inspired me to reduce my plastic purchases back in July!

[emilytaylor]

Loved this video! I've made many changes to my lifestyle recently. These have included, going plastic free when I'm food shopping (buying loose veg or going to farmers markets), using reusable cutlery and metal straws, lunchboxes, reusable coffee cups and water bottles :)

[abhinilbose]

I try to live plastic free and I try to make my friends aware of the real situation. What we r doing to earth with plastic is heart breaking. I believe nobody is aware of it and so they are living happily in a world of plastic, but once they become aware of the situation they start thinking about it more and try to reduce it. Every curriculum in school is teaching students to reduce reuse and recycle but I can not see any impact of it in their mind. It really makes me sad. If the next generation grow up as we did in a world of plastic then its going to be a very different world. We will loose many things in this World just for the convenience and super usability of plastic.

[sarahcole]

Bravo for your videos. I was overwhelmed by the vast quantity of plastics everywhere in our lives. Started buying laundry detergent in boxes instead of liquid detergent in those forever bottles. Then I got discouraged. Like, how can I make a difference on such a HUGE problem? But if we all do these things, maybe we can save the planet?!

[SarahBCordell]

I can’t drink tap water due to a whole host of issues so the biggest thing I’ve done at the beginning of 2019 is to buy a Pur water filter jug for my fridge. I know the filters can be recycled I just need to research where there is a drop off for it in my area and hopefully this is my start to reducing the plastic I was using with plastic water bottles. Next up for me is to get a reusable coffee cup I can take with me everywhere I go.

[emmalappin]

Love this video, well done Zanna, keep inspiring us all to make those sustainable swaps!

[juliepoulsen]

Wow Zanna. This is amazing! 👏🏽 I admire you so much. Keep up your lovely work. ❤

[plasticfreejulychallenge]

Thanks for being part of Plastic Free July and sharing tips to help people get started!

[renasiegel]

I did several swaps - reusable cup and bottle and shopping bags and a bamboo toothbrush - which was terrible and I again switched to a plastic toothbrush. But I will try again and hopefully I will get used to it one day!
By the way - great presentation and such an important issue! Keep up the good work!

[troywilkinson]

My first step was purchasing a DE razor. Was disappointed to realize a lot DE brand blades come in plastic packaging. Now I’m on the hunt to find comfortable blades that come in recyclable packaging. Small step but it is a start.

[SalmanAwan]

Plastic... yeah of course I clicked for plastic...

[moonchu_]

ya'll really got it messed up if you're nitpicking her mascara and eyebrows as "too much makeup" rather than focusing on the positives of this video and what YOU (or I) can do to help our planet. yikes.

[frankflowers]

Well you convinced me. Didn't even need to think about it

[drewbaker]

Goverment taxation on things of this type, (or many other things), may not be a good trend. Taxation may jump onto many other things which people object to, - as they do already in many.
One day yellow sweaters may be taxed, because it was found they they look soiled after too few uses and are discarded sooner.
Public awareness, in my opinion, is what is needed, and this show may help.