WorkingSolutions
Today,peoplearestartingtotakeaction.Theywanttosolvetheplasticsproblem.InAfrica,Kenyahasjoinedothernationsinbanningplasticbags.Francewillbanplasticplatesandcupsby 2020.
Corporationsarehelping,too.Coca‑Colaproducesbottledwater.Ithopesto“collectandrecycle”allofitsbottlesby 2030.
Solutionscanbefound.Peoplecanmakeadifference.Youcanhelp,too.Here’s how.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/working_solutions_and_ten_things_you_can_do/271994/bales.480_0_1.jpg)
Thisplasticisreadytobe recycled.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/working_solutions_and_ten_things_you_can_do/271996/recycling_plant.960_0_1.jpg)
SanFrancisco’slargestrecyclingplanthandlesupto600tonsofmaterialsa day.
TenThingsYouCanDo
1
Giveupplastic bags.
Takereusablebagstothestore.Atrillionplasticshoppingbagsareusedworldwideevery year.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/working_solutions_and_ten_things_you_can_do/272002/bag_plastic.240_0_1.png)
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/working_solutions_and_ten_things_you_can_do/272003/plastic_reuseable.240_0_1.png)
2
Skipplastic straws.
Americanstoss500millionplasticstrawsevery day.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/working_solutions_and_ten_things_you_can_do/272004/drink_plastic.240_0_1.png)
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/working_solutions_and_ten_things_you_can_do/272005/drink_reusable.240_0_1.png)
3
Passupplastic bottles.
Useabottleyoucanfillagain.Aroundtheworld,nearlyamilliondisposableplasticbottlesaresoldevery minute.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/working_solutions_and_ten_things_you_can_do/272006/bottle_plastic.240_0_1.png)
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/working_solutions_and_ten_things_you_can_do/272007/bottle_reusable.240_0_1.png)
4
Avoidplastic packaging.
Buybarsoapinsteadofliquid.Andwhileyou’reatit,giveupplasticplatesand cups.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/working_solutions_and_ten_things_you_can_do/272008/soap_plastic.128_0_1.png)
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/working_solutions_and_ten_things_you_can_do/272009/soap_reusable.240_0_1.png)
5
Recyclewhatyou can.
Globally,only18percentofallplasticis recycled.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/working_solutions_and_ten_things_you_can_do/272011/recycle.400_0_1.png)
metal
plastic
paper
6
Don't litter.
![please do not litter keep this area clean](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/working_solutions_and_ten_things_you_can_do/272010/dont_litter.320_0_1.png)
7
Snackon fruit.
Insteadofsnackpacksthathaveextrapackaging,packanapple,banana,or orange.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/working_solutions_and_ten_things_you_can_do/272012/fruit_plastic.240_0_1.png)
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/working_solutions_and_ten_things_you_can_do/272013/fruit_reusable.320_0_1.png)
8
Useabetter bag.
Packsandwichesandsnacksinreusablecontainersorclothsacksinsteadofplastic bags.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/working_solutions_and_ten_things_you_can_do/272017/sandwich_plastic.240_0_1.png)
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/working_solutions_and_ten_things_you_can_do/272018/sandwich_reusable.320_0_1.png)
9
Choosea cone.
Gowithoutplasticspoonsandcupsandhaveyouricecreamina cone.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/working_solutions_and_ten_things_you_can_do/272047/NGX0519_EE_15d.240_0_1.png)
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/working_solutions_and_ten_things_you_can_do/272048/NGX0519_EE_15c.240_0_1.png)
10
Pickupwhatyou can.
Grabanadultandpickuptrashnearalocalriver.Becareful:Neverpickupanythingthatlookssharpor dangerous.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_may_2019/working_solutions_and_ten_things_you_can_do/272049/GettyImages_827393690.400_0_1.jpg)