Save plastic: Expert gives tips - "As nice as barbecuing is, it's an ecological catastrophe"

Created: 06/28/2022, 17:27

By: Christiane Breitenberger

Jessica Schilcher tries to avoid garbage.

As beautiful as barbecuing is, it is an ecological catastrophe.

Jessica Schilcher © Christian Fischer

In July, the worldwide environmental protection campaign “Plastic free July” will take place.

In an interview, Jessica Schilcher explains how packaging waste can be reduced and why we should listen to children more often.

District – Sustainability and environmental protection are close to her heart.

Jessica Schilcher (28) from Weichs is a trained educator, has already initiated sustainability projects in her work with children, and about a year ago she opened the first packaging-free shop "Ohne Schmarrn" in the Dachau district in Indersdorf.

In July, the worldwide environmental protection campaign "Plastic free July" is running.

Jessica Schilcher is also participating with an action week.

In an interview, she reveals how easy it is to do without plastic packaging and whether a plastic-free life is possible.

Plastic-free July campaign week: goal and specific figures

What is the aim of the Plastic free July campaign?

Jessica Schilcher: Environmental activists around the world are trying to draw attention to the problem of plastic waste.

They want to show that the plastic flood never ends.

They also want to use campaigns to show how plastic can be saved.

Do you know specific figures on the subject of packaging waste?

In 2020, 4.3 million tons of plastic packaging were produced in Germany alone.

That makes an average of 53 kilos per year for every person living in Germany.

In other words, each of us throws away over a kilo of plastic packaging every week.

Save packaging waste?

That's how it works

How can we avoid the plastic packaging?

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Fruit and veg is easy.

And for products where this is not possible, such as noodles or rice, at least use larger packs, which also saves packaging.

In unpackaged shops it is also very easy to save on plastic, for example with detergent.

I just come with my empty bottle and can refill it there.

How else can you save plastic?

By thinking about my consumption behavior.

I should basically ask myself, do I really need the three different gummy bear bags or do I just want them now?

I should fundamentally question myself - what is good for me, what is good for our environment?

Are there behaviors that hurt you when you observe them?

Yes, if people simply don't think about what they buy and how.

Like, for example, when it comes to grilling.

Again and again I have to observe how people prefer to get a disposable grill because they don't have to clean it.

That hurts.

As beautiful as barbecuing is, it is an ecological catastrophe.

Jessica Schiilcher

As beautiful as barbecuing is, it is an ecological catastrophe.

Many buy their meat or grilled cheese in plastic packaging.

Not to mention the origin of the meat.

If you don't want to do without meat, you should at least ask the butcher about the keeping and origin of the animal - and, for example, bring your own glass jar.

Everyday life without plastic - is that really possible?

Is a plastic-free life even practical?

No, but a low-plastic life.

I don't think it's possible to go completely without plastic.

Nor is it about completely demonizing plastic.

We should definitely get away from single-use plastic.

There are also things that I'm okay with using, if I just use them for a reasonable amount of time.

Like a tupperware.

Do you also have things in your store that are made of plastic?

Yes, for example the 20 liter canisters in which the washing-up liquid is filled.

But the canisters are refilled.

Assuming all supermarkets stopped using single-use plastic packaging, what would you think of this development?

Basically, that would be a good thing.

However, it always depends on what is in the packaging.

Products should be fairly produced, if possible organic, and supply chains should be as short as possible.

Unfortunately, conventional supermarkets are still lagging behind here.

Who is shopping in your store?

From students to retirees, really everyone.

Even elementary school children sometimes come after school and get something sweet.

The store is for everyone.

Using less plastic: Why we should listen to our children more often

How did people become aware of these issues?

Overall, there is a rethinking taking place in society.

Many try to avoid single-use packaging, sustainability is important to them.

However, it is now noticeable that for some it is becoming rather secondary again, since everything is becoming expensive because of the war.

Now people are paying more attention to money.

How do children in particular deal with the issue of environmental protection?

We can still achieve a lot by working with children.

As a teacher, I did sustainability projects in the kindergarten, this week I gave a lecture on plastic avoidance to all the children at the Weichs elementary school.

The children care deeply about the environment and want to protect it.

Many already have immense prior knowledge.

In what way?

Some took over half of my presentation right away (laughs).

Others told what they look out for when shopping.

One child said: "I always tell mom not to buy so much plastic and she always tells me to stop saying that".

In this case, listening would be much nicer.

The interview was conducted by: Christiane Breitenberger

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