Olya Wright with her pet chicken Peck-a-ny Henderson. Olya leads the Nordic Nature Group, which is made up of Cook County youth committed to helping the environment.
We made it. We depend on it. We’re drowning in it. Plastic. (National Geographic issue 06, 2018)
“Eighteen (18) billion pounds of plastic ends up in the ocean each year. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.” This quote was in the June 2018 National Geographic magazine, and it illustrates that this is a global issue, not just a little one.
Recent scientific studies have documented that this problem threatens the lives of animals, including humans, and the natural ecosystems. The problem is our over – production and constant use of plastic; plastic never decomposes, instead it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces and becomes “micro plastics1.”
As facts are an important way of understanding an issue and being able to make a decision on your point of view/path of action, here are some incomprehensible facts. . In the U.S. and U.K. 550 million plastic straws are thrown away every day (A Plastic Ocean). . There are over 300,000 plastic beads in some tubes of face wash (A Plastic Ocean). . The “working life” of a plastic bag is 15 minutes (National Geographic Issue 06 – 2018). . More than 40 percent of all plastic is used just once, and then tossed (National Geographic Issue 06 – 2018).
If one person tries to solve this issue on his or her own, it will feel like trying to swim to the top of Mount Everest. But, if we all work together and start with simple and easy actions, it will not be as hard. Here are some ideas to help to reduce plastic consumption: . Refuse plastic bags—Bring your own box or cloth bag. When at restaurants, coffee shops, cafes…say “no thank you” to plastic straws, lids, coffee stirrers and cups (Styrofoam is plastic, too!). . Instead of buying single-serve yogurts or other items, purchase the large size. . Do not use and politely decline single use plastic water/juice/pop bottles— Bring your own reusable water bottle, coffee cup… from home. . Encourage businesses and companies to provide plastic-free options and packaging. . Refuse/do not use plastic toothbrushes— We use bamboo and they work great.
My family has been trying to not use any plastic for the past few years. To do this we have used several strategies from buying our milk from Lakeview Natural Dairy in glass jars (once we are home we divide the milk from the gallon jar into four smaller jars, and we also make our own yogurt and buttermilk) to only buying crackers that come in paper wrappers. We have also created a strategy for not using any plastic cups or straws.
To avoid plastic straws, we simply bring a metal straw from home or just don’t use a straw. Whatever option (metal or no straw) be sure to ask whoever is helping you not to put a plastic straw in your drink, otherwise you may get surprised by having a nice little plastic straw perched in your juice.
Now using a metal straw (or no straw at all) is a very nice start, but if your (metal) straw is in a “nice” plastic cup, then the feeling of making a difference is not nearly so great. So, we have been bringing our own glass and straw. We simply got a canning jar (and a lid and ring) and punched a hole in the lid just big enough for the straw to fit through! Now we have two very pretty, durable and useful “to-go” containers!
And now here is an opportunity to get started! Plastic Free July is an organization that is working around the world to make/dedicate the month of July as plastic-free. You can go to their website (http://www.plasticfreejuly.org/) and take the “pledge” to give up single-use plastics for the entire month of July. And then maybe you will decide to continue forever.
I encourage you to try this exciting opportunity or if that does not interest you, feel free to just start on your own. For more information and to get a real grasp of what this article is really about, I encourage every single person in the whole wide world to watch A Plastic Ocean (https://plasticoceans.org/aboutfilm/). (This film is also available at the Grand Marais Public Library.) This heart-wrenching film will cure any feelings that make you feel that you just “can’t do anything.” Perfect for your next family movie night!
And just remember, though it seems nearly impossible, there is a way to start to stop this huge issue—and it begins with you and me.
Resources: Metal straws (www.cocostraw.us); Bamboo tooth brushes (www.brushwithbamboo.com).
To learn more about “micro plastics” please watch “A Plastic Ocean” available at the Grand Marais Library.
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