What Can Be Done to Reduce Plastic Pollution?
We are “swimming” in a sea of plastic pollution, and it is not getting much better with just recycling. Just take a moment to notice all the plastic products around us that are not easily recycled.
The pandemic, of course, necessitated the increased use of some one-time use plastic products. Now is the time to get back to facing the problem of plastic pollution. More than 350 million tons of plastic products are produced each year and, by some estimates, 91% of it is NOT recycled. The U.S. ships off at least 255 shipping containers of plastic waste daily to other countries where it is sometimes recycled – but often burned, buried or borne out to sea. These practices hurt the workers. Pollute their land and water.
The manufacture of plastic products requires the basic ingredient, petroleum, which causes environmental damage when mined and when refined and then, again when molded into products. Most refineries can be found in poorer communities and communities of color. Therefore, we have a problem at the mining site, at the refining site, at the production site, at the third-world recycling site and in our streams, lakes, rivers and the oceans. In our oceans, it not just the accumulation of plastic products, but also discarded fishing nets and poles and tiny plastic particles that are eaten by fish and fowl.
What can be done? As with most pollution issues, it is a spiritual issue, a practical lifestyle issue, and a governmental policy issue (all levels of government). Our Book of Common Prayer has beautiful prayers for the protection and care of our environment. These lovely prayers and our growth as Christians ideally will move us from appreciation to active stewardship. A big part of stewardship is advocating policies that will bring sustainable actions at all governmental levels.
Since the pandemic is gradually lessening in the U.S., we can ask grocery stores if we may use bags from home. (Some stores say you may use bags from home only if you sack them yourselves). Just say no to plastic bottles, plastic utensils, plastic plates and straws. Use a thermos or reusable water container, use glass storage containers and purchase a personal metal straw. Take you own reusable fork, knife and spoon to picnics. Ask take-out folks to use recyclable paper containers. You can also use your purchasing power to buy product that are not over packaged with excess plastic. One big action you can take right now is to urge Congress to pass the 2021 version of the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act that is proposed by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) and Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-California). Go to https://www.breakfreefromplastic.com./pollutin-act
Earth Steward Action: Look up the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act and sign petition. Check your purchases and personal actions.
SOURCES: Comprehensive Federal Legislation Addresses the Plastic Pollution Crisis , https://www.sierraclub.org/do-your-part-and-help-end-single-use-plastic-pollution