Message from Lisa
July brings Independence Day celebrations with picnics, parties and cook outs to celebrate the 4th. These fun celebrations generate lots of trash and a lot of it plastic. July is Plastic Free Month.
Plastic, which is produced from fossil fuels, is one of the most long-lasting materials humans have created. It takes hundreds of years for plastic to degrade. Most plastic does not fully degrade. It turns into microplastic, tiny particles of plastic that is eaten by marine animals and entering the food chain when humans and other animals eat the fish. Plastic use is at an all-time high, and only 10% of the plastic produced is recycled.
Plastic pollution in the ocean has a devastating impact on marine life and ecosystems. The harm is not just to marine life, but also to humans. Microplastics have now become part of the food chain and is found everywhere: in drinking water, salt, beer and the soil where we grow vegetables. Ingesting microplastics causes cancer and can cause developmental, neurological, reproductive, and immune disorders.
What can we do to reduce plastic use?
Being aware of the way you use plastic is a great starting point. Some specific ways to reduce plastic is to swap plastic bags for reusable ones, made of cloth or fiber. Reduce the use of disposable plastic cups, plates, cutlery and bottles. Use a re-usable water bottle instead of plastic water bottles. Buy food and cleaning products in bulk to avoid useless plastic wrappings. Bring your own re-usable bags to the grocery store. Choose metal or glass food containers and storage options instead of plastic ones. When ordering a beverage to go, ask them not to give you a plastic lid and straw.
~ Lisa
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