As little as a generation ago, the culture of disposable goods was on a much smaller scale than it is nowadays. This photo was taken in an abandoned house in Żabbar.

Glass bottles, reusable containers and some other packaging materials can easily be recycled. While plastics can indeed be recycled, they degrade in quality through the process, until eventually they have to be taken to landfills.

Unfortunately, major businesses have found it more cost-effective to use plastic. People drink bottled water because they think it is better than water out of the tap but that’s not true.

There is a growing concern that chemicals in the bottles leach out when overheated. This is more harmful to one’s health than tap water. Water is definitely good for your health, so keep drinking it. But think carefully about its source and see if you can make any change. A minimum effort is needed.

If everyone in the world simply made a few changes in the way they consume plastic items, the problem would at least be limited and, with changed attitudes, those in power could slowly mend the damage that has been done.

I hope for more awareness in the near future.