How to reduce plastic pollution with stainless steel products

It's no secret that plastic pollution is a very real and pressing issue in the world today. With a staggering 8 million tonnes of plastic entering our oceans every year and harming marine life, it is vital that we do what we can to help. This includes minimising the use of single-use plastics and replacing them with more sustainable materials.

Fortunately, there are many options available, from glass and bamboo to wood and stainless steel. But are these alternatives really better? Will stainless steel be the way of the future? Well, we're here to tell you all the benefits and how you can use stainless steel to reduce plastic pollution.

Is stainless steel really environmentally friendly?

Stainless steel is very environmentally friendly as it is a green product that is 100% recyclable and does not contain any harmful toxins. In fact, the production and recycling of stainless steel is one and the same thing, with around 60-70% of stainless steel products containing recycled scrap metal. So while steel does not degrade, it does get reused again and again, which significantly reduces the amount of waste and energy used to create more.

The plastic pollution problem that stainless steel can solve

Did you know that the ratio of plastic to marine life is currently 6 to 1, or that 50% of plastic is only used once? Or that around 7 million coffee cups are thrown away every day in the UK? There are many issues around plastic and although it may seem like a lot of work now, it is estimated that within 10 years the amount of plastic in our oceans will have tripled. The fact that a lot of it is somewhat difficult to recycle and is present in many of our everyday products doesn't help.

This is where stainless steel can make a difference and help solve many plastic pollution problems. Stainless steel is considered one of the most reliable and safe materials, especially in construction, because of its strength, durability and recyclability. In fact, around 80% of all metals ever produced in the world are still in use today! This is because metal used to be a very valuable resource that was almost never wasted. In addition, it is much easier to recycle indefinitely, unlike plastic which can only be recycled 2-3 times.

As more and more people turn to stainless steel alternatives, such as steel straws instead of plastic straws, we are definitely moving in the right direction to become more environmentally friendly and aware of the dangers that plastic poses to our planet.

How to use raw steel to reduce plastic pollution

Our conscious efforts to reduce plastic pollution are setting an example for those around us.