The World Economic Forum has estimated that currently there is 50 million tons of plastic in the world’s oceans which is alarming because plastic can take centuries to degrade. Hence, popular personalities across the world are making efforts to combat this problem and are encouraging people to go plastic-free and adopt a sustainable lifestyle.

Prince Harry is one of them. UK media outlets, quoting the Prince’s close friend Argentinian polo player Nacho Figueras, have reported that the Duke of Sussex is making conscious efforts to cut down on his plastic use and actually requests hotels he stays in to use minimum plastic.

Recalling a time he and Harry stayed a night at a hotel before a game, Figueras said, “He talked to a person at the hotel and said, ‘This morning I got my coffee and I saw that you have a plastic thing on the coffee. And then I also sent my shirt and I got my shirt in a big plastic bag.”

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Looks like Harry is borrowing a page from wife Meghan’s book. The Duchess follows an eco-friendly lifestyle and in fact, a lot of her fashion is also sustainable.

Not only the Prince but Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced a ban on single-use plastics in Canada. The leader of the state said that Canada will ban single-use plastics as early as 2021 and the specific items to be banned will be determined based on a science-based review, but the government is considering items such as water bottles, plastic bags and straws.

Trudeau asserted that the issue of plastic pollution is a “global challenge” and that everyone should play an active role in combating it.

Moreso, even our neighbours are taking the initiative to end plastic pollution. A village in the east India state of Assam, where people are too poor to pay school fees, is educating children free of cost as long as they bring 25 recyclable plastic items.

Pakistanis are also making efforts to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle, albeit on a micro-level. Here are some tips from The Green Gang Pakistan on how to use less plastic: