Black Friday, a tradition started in America. It’s the first Friday after Thanksgiving that sparks the beginning of the Christmas season. It has become more popular this decade as the day to get your Christmas present deals and is known to be utterly chaotic!
To give you an idea of exactly how chaotic, it is estimated Brits spent approximately £6 billion last year with more expected in 2020.
Fast Forward to 2020, a turbulent year, I think everyone would agree, and the first (and hopefully last), black Friday with the nation in lockdown. Although shoppers will be unable to physically utilise the day, it is expected to be just as big online.
Online purchases however have consequences for the environment, particularly the packaging.
Plastic wrapping and the environment
It is no secret the damaging effects plastic has on the world; so let us look at the facts…
- Over 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic have been produced since the 1950’s
- Every Year plastic is the cause of over 1 million animal deaths around the world
- Plastic is an illegal material in Kenya. The production, selling and use of plastic can result in up to 4 years imprisonment, or a substantial fine!
- Around the world, 1 million bottles are bought every single minute!
- It is estimated that the rate of plastic production and its use, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish
- There is approximately 300 pieces of plastic in the Arctic Ocean
- Plastic microparticles have been found in the flesh of fish across all oceans; fish that is being consumed by humans
High street shopping halves the amount of unnecessary plastic packaging, with that out of the question this year there will be a heavier impact on plastic pollution.