Single use plastics: they’re sneaky, hiding in plain sight and slipping into the nooks and crannies of your daily habits. That coffee cup lid? Single use. The shampoo bottle perched on your shower caddy? Guilty. And the plastic clamshell holding those perfectly ripe blueberries? You guessed it — single use.
These plastics trade convenience for catastrophe — filling landfills, choking oceans, and putting wildlife at risk. The thing is, we can’t fix what we can’t see.
So, let’s pull back the curtain on 15 of the most common culprits. Because once you see them, you can’t unsee them.
What are single use plastics?
Single use plastics are exactly what they sound like — plastics you use once and toss away. They’re popular because they’re quick, convenient and fit perfectly into our busy, on the go lives.
But here’s the catch: even after you toss them, they’re not really gone. Think of them like houseguests who overstay their welcome — except these ones stick around for centuries, becoming long term squatters in landfills or worse, taking up extended residency in our oceans. Though they seem handy at the moment, their brief existence causes long term problems.
What are the common sources of single use plastics?
Single use plastics have quietly infiltrated nearly every corner of our daily lives, often slipping under the radar. Take a quick glance around — chances are you’ll spot a few offenders right now. They’re your trash bags, water bottles, takeout containers and even the packaging on your toilet paper.
Step outside and the picture doesn’t improve. Sidewalks are scattered with soda bottles, snack wrappers, cigarette butts… the list goes on. All part of the single use plastic scheme.
Curious about where these plastics are hiding? Here are the top 15 common sources of single use plastic:
Plastic bags
Water bottles
Plastic straws
Takeout containers
Plastic cutlery
Coffee cups with plastic lids
Food packaging
Cigarette butts (the filters)
Toothbrushes
Toiletry packaging
Balloons
Six pack rings
Plastic party cups
Cling film
Ziplock bags
Why single use plastics are an environmental and health problem
If single use plastics are so harmful, why are they still everywhere? Fair question. Plenty of things that are perfectly legal can have terrible effects on the world — just look at James Corden’s movie career (apologies to the Corden heads). Let’s break down some of the effects single use plastics are having on our land, oceans and even our bodies.
The impact on resources
Single use plastics are made from finite resources like fossil fuels, non-renewable energy sources that drive global warming.
Shockingly, people toss 95% of plastic after just one use. We’re using ancient, irreplaceable materials to create things meant for mere minutes of use. Once these resources are depleted, they’re gone for good.
And the damage doesn’t stop there — fossil fuel extraction scars the environment, while refining and burning them releases massive amounts of CO2, polluting the air and accelerating climate change.
The impact on oceans and landfills
Single use plastics don’t just make the ocean look trashy — they turn it into a graveyard. Ever heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? That floating nightmare is only a small part of the story. Around 70% of marine debris actually sinks to the ocean floor, silently devastating the ecosystems below.
The impact on marine life is heartbreaking. Picture turtles with straws piercing their nostrils, dolphins tangled in ghost nets, and seabirds suffocating on snack bags — it's an endless list of harm. And it’s not just physical damage. Chemicals released by plastics poison coral reefs and aquatic plants, gradually dismantling fragile underwater ecosystems.
The harm doesn’t stop at the waterline. Single use plastics left to fester in landfills for centuries leach toxins into the soil and groundwater, threatening natural resources and wildlife. Land animals often ingest or become trapped in plastic waste, leading to injury and even death.
Honestly, we don’t like talking about this stuff any more than you do — but acknowledging it is the first step toward change.
The impact on us
Looking for more bad news? We’ve got you covered. Single use plastics don't just pollute our land and oceans — they’re also making their way into our bodies.
How? Microplastics. As plastics break down, they shed tiny particles that end up in our food, water and air. One study even suggests we consume about a credit card's worth of plastic weekly. Not exactly the side dish we thought we were ordering.
Microplastics come from packaging, synthetic clothing fibres, sponges and countless industrial processes. They sneak into the seafood on our plates, the water we drink and, ultimately, into us.
But the story doesn’t stop there. Single-use plastics leach harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates, especially when heated or left in sunlight. Researchers have linked these chemicals to a range of health issues, from hormone disruption to cancer.
Sustainable alternatives to single use plastics
We’ve got a long way to go before we achieve a plastic-free world, but one of the simplest yet most impactful ways to cut down on plastic is by making the switch to reusable or sustainable alternatives. Ditch single use plastic bags for sturdy totes, swap out disposable bottles for a reusable water bottle, use trash bags made from recycled materials and bring your own straw or food storage containers when you're on the go.
Going entirely plastic-free may feel daunting, but small changes still make a big difference. Buy toiletries and household goods in bulk to reduce packaging and shipping emissions. Skip the flashy extras — instead, choose products with minimal packaging and take the opportunity to support businesses prioritising sustainability
Conclusion: We can all work towards being plastic free
Single use plastics are everywhere, sneaking into nearly every aspect of our lives while posing serious risks to the planet and our health.
In our oceans, single use plastics create vast pollution, harming marine life, disrupting ecosystems, and leaching toxic chemicals into the water. On land, they clog up landfills, leach toxic chemicals, and break down into microplastics that have infiltrated our food and water — research even suggests we consume about a credit card's worth of plastic weekly. Yuck!
Countries like Kenya and France are already taking steps by banning single use plastics, with inspiring results like cleaner landscapes and reduced landfill waste. You can join the movement by opting for reusable alternatives like tote bags and water bottles and by supporting brands who support sustainability, like Who Gives A Crap. We offer recycled toilet paper and eco-friendly products while donating 50% of our profits to non-profits working to improve clean water and sanitation around the world.
Ready to make a switch that matters? Check out Who Gives a Crap today!