Why I Stopped Using Plastic and Why You Can Too

Why I stopped using plastic and why you can too

Hi! I’m Parth Singla, a 10-year-old eco-storyteller from India. I build LEGO machines, write poems about nature, and make short Instagram reels to help other kids learn about the Earth. But there’s one small change that made a really big difference in my life: I stopped using plastic wherever I could-and I want to share why that matters.

Last year, I watched a video about sea turtles getting stuck in plastic rings and jellyfish choking on plastic bags. I felt sad and helpless. But then I realized: even kids like me can take action. I made a list of all the single-use plastics I was using every day-like straws, snack wrappers, and water bottles-and I started finding eco-friendly alternatives one by one.

At home, I started with small changes. I switched from a plastic toothbrush to a bamboo one. I carry a steel water bottle to school and always say no to plastic straws. I helped my parents stop buying plastic shopping bags-we now use cloth bags. Even my LEGO bricks are stored in reused glass jars!

As I made these changes, I began sharing my journey online. On Instagram, I post short reels showing kids how to switch from plastic to reusable items. I talk about turtles, whales, and even invisible microplastics. I try to make my stories fun, with jokes and cool experiments, so other kids can learn without getting bored.

Soon, I saw something amazing. My friends at school started carrying reusable bottles. One of my neighbors used my video to teach her younger brother about ocean pollution. Even my grandparents began reusing old plastic containers instead of throwing them away. It felt like a ripple effect, and I was proud.

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental problems today. According to Earth.org, more than 8 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans each year. A lot of it comes from land-trash on the streets, bags in drains, or wrappers in rivers. Sea animals eat plastic because it looks like food, and it can hurt or even kill them.

When I learned about this, I knew I had to do more. I created a storybook character named ‘Tilly the Turtle’ who teaches ocean animals how to dodge plastic traps. I even turned her into a comic strip for my school’s bulletin board! I wanted kids to feel hopeful and excited about helping, not scared.

During Plastic-Free July, I led a small campaign in my neighborhood. We made posters, gave mini-talks to shopkeepers about switching to paper bags, and collected plastic bottles for recycling. I wore a cape made of reused cloth with a badge that said “Kid for the Planet.” It was the best July ever.

What I’ve learned is that fighting plastic pollution doesn’t need to be hard. You just start with what you can. Instead of buying juice in plastic bottles, I ask for it in a glass. Instead of buying toys with lots of plastic packaging, I reuse materials to build my own. I even made a plastic-eating robot worm for a science project!

Sometimes people ask me, “But you’re just a kid-how much difference can you really make?” And I tell them: A LOT. Kids are curious, creative, and powerful. We’re not afraid to try new things. And when we believe in something, we keep going. That’s what changemakers do.

So here’s what you can do if you want to help too: Start with your toothbrush, your lunchbox, or your shopping bag. Pick one thing to change this week. Talk to your parents and friends. Make a fun video or poster. Keep it simple, and keep it positive.

One of my favorite quotes is, “We don’t need a few people doing zero-waste perfectly. We need millions doing it imperfectly.” That’s how I see it. I’m not perfect-I still use plastic sometimes. But I keep trying. And every time I say no to plastic, I feel like I’m saying yes to the Earth.

My mission is to inspire kids everywhere to believe that age doesn’t limit action. Whether it’s a story, a robot, or a book review, I try to make every project count. I hope this article helps you start your own journey away from plastic. Together, we can protect our oceans, our animals, and our future.