PLASTIC?
No
Thank U
We Can Do Better than This,
Can't We?
Plastic makes up 90% of marine life litter.
Where do you suppose this litter comes from? Us. You and me. We are the culprits creating extreme damage due to sheer ignorance.
Truth be known, I had never considered the damage one little straw or little plastic wrapper could do. I just thought, "it" goes to the dumpsite. "It" being whatever plastic item I was tossing in the trash (or, I am ashamed to admit, let drop to the ground). Yes! I confess to dropping the odd trash on the street!
I am ashamed admitting to throwing garbage on the road because I have been taught, not only is littering tacky, but, discarding trash on the streets is wrong - trash goes in the garbage. I thought it rebellious of me, defiant at times to sneak trash out the car window or inconspicuously drop something on the ground. My excuse was, my trash was always paper matter that would "break down" over time. Tossing plastic on the street was a whole other sin my conscience allowed me to commit only a handful of times because I knew it did not readily break down. With that said, I never really considered what happened to it once abandoned to the streets. I never allowed myself to think on it (probably because I knew it was destructive behaviour).
Then I saw a photo of a wildlife wearing discarded plastic as a belt.
Yikes.
I did well ignoring that images, and others like it, for a good decade. Until I went on vacation to a beautiful country. The tranquility, the beauty, was inspiring - until we left the all - inclusive hotel grounds. The trash on the streets - which happened to mostly be plastic - was astonishing. Empty water bottles were everywhere; plastic bags fluttered across the streets like ballerinas across a stage; family size detergent bottles were crushed and stuffed in the crevice between the street and road curbs.The sight was shocking and sickening. The images of animals wearing plastic like the latest fashion trend shoved their way to the front of my mind. It was clear such photos were not only possible, but, were a logical reality.
Wild life has no way to fight against such disregard.
But we do. Particularly when we consider the non renewable resources wasted on making products we just dump in the streets. The catostrophic disaster that we perpetrate upon this planet - against ourselves - out of sheer ignorance became undeniable.
But, I consoled myself with one thought: we can stop it.
If we remind ourselves that we are the custodians of this land, the protectors and care providers, we can consider our behaviour, and change it, when necessary.
It is true, everything seems encased in plastic, now a days. And If it is not encased in plastic it is covered with or simply made up of it. So, how do we stop the spread of plastic, and cease the contamination - the killing off - of an essential part of our eco system, our marine and wild life? We begin with an oath: We will be conscious of what we purchase.
The goal is to buy zero plastic. If purchasing that plastic protected product is a must (ironic, isn't it? Plastic is for the protection of our food or for making items more convenient but is deadly to wildlife and is making their existence - and our own - more difficult than necessary). If we must have that plastic product then let's purchase the plastic that is recyclable. Not only should such items be washed, plastic bags and rings should be torn open, potentially entrapping nothing. If we must have the product in the plastic that is not recyclable then - it is time to contact the manufacturer of said item, presenting conditions for getting us to purchase their products.
What do we say to manufactures when we call? We want them to ensure, their plastic stays out of the landfill, either by rewarding consumers (who return their product for recycling) or by ceasing the use of plastic all together. We also want them committed to scooping, netting, fishing their garbage from the waters. They have the corporate dollars to clean up our mess.
We all must do our part in making responsible choices, but manufactures must be more responsible. After all, "they" are the cause of this problem in the first place.
The way we are going to correct this colossal blunder we have participated in, is by working together.
We are smart, creative, skillful, beings. We lived without plastic in our history, we can live without plastic tomorrow. Besides, it's cool getting the hang of reducing plastic. The less plastic, the cleaner, more free one feels.
We can do better.
We will do better.
Commit the steps to memory:
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Be conscious of what you purchase. Your daily routine is FILLED with plastic: Toothbrushes, razors, morning stops for coffee (cups are not recyclable - but they will fill personal mugs - made of stainless steel, not plastic, right?), take out/fast food containers (check if your local organization recycles them - if not tell the business you cannot order from them until they change containers), frozen foods (plastic bags that stand might be a problem), pet bowls (wildlife do not know that plastic is not eatable when it is broken and left in a landfill), pet waste bags, cat litter boxes, elastic bands - even some clothing! The list goes on and on, but once you become aware, choosing to leave items on the store shelves, gets easier - and more liberating!
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Tell the company making the plastic product you must have that you want them to find a better material. Also inform them, you want their millions also spent cleaning up our mess not trying to convince us that we have a right to make a mess or try to convince us, plastic creates jobs when we know every industry creates jobs. We are not stupid.
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Recycle the plastics you already have. Your local recycle agency may have its rules, but other private companies know recycling is BIG business. Maybe collecting non recyclable plastics and taking them to these companies, yourself, is a fantastic entrepreneurial opportunity.
How ever you do it, ending the use of plastic will be one of the most difficult challenges you will face. It will also be one of the most beneficial acts you will make for yourself and your family. It is beneficial because not only will you help the planet, you will save money leaving plastic products on the shelf.
One last thing, tell others what you are doing!
We humans LOVE being a part of something important. Sharing your efforts might encourage a campaign, or encourage someone on the fence. You might be surprised by what awaits you.