(by Kim Adelson) – Items made of plastic are a major source of pollution on both land and sea. A staggering amount of plastic ends up in our oceans—the equivalent of 136 billion milk jugs annually. Sea animals such as birds and dolphins get tangled up in it; others, such as sea turtles and 90% of seabirds, ingest it. This problem has been growing rapidly: in the 1960s, only 5% of seabirds were found to have plastic in their systems, but by 1980 the number had jumped to 80%. Projections are that nearly 100% of pelagics will be plastic consumers by 2050. Sea plastic is hard for animals to avoid; large pieces eventually break down into small, sometimes microscopic particles, which remain in the stomachs of sea birds and other creatures, sometimes filling them to the point that they starve. Birds also suffer because the often-sharp pieces can puncture internal organs. Most plastic in the oceans was originally dumped on land and was swept by rainwater or sewage systems into streams and rivers, finally making its way into the ocean.
Fortunately, we can all take easy steps to reduce our contribution to the plastic problem.
- Avoid disposable plastic items: straws, take-away containers, cutlery, grocery bags, etc. Substitute reusable items, such as canvas totes and metal straws, or biodegradable items such as paper and cardboard. Bring mesh totes from home for fruits and veggies rather than using the plastic bags provided by the store.
- Buy a reusable water bottle. And a travel mug.
- Stick with clothing made from natural fibers. Those made from synthetics such as rayon, acrylic, polyester, and nylon shed “microfibers” every time they are washed and are in fact the largest source of plastic pollution.
- Avoid disposable diapers.
- Buy used items. Not only are you saving the plastic in the item itself, but also in the packaging in which so many products are encased.
- When you can, buy items packaged in cardboard rather than plastic. Think laundry and dish-washing detergent. Cardboard degrades much more quickly than plastic and is more easily recycled.
- Avoid fancy tea bags. Those shiny tea bags that look like silk are actually made of plastic. Go with paper tea bags or, better yet, switch to loose tea.
- Buy items in bulk, or at least avoid products in single serving containers. For example, a quart of yogurt in a single package uses a lot less plastic than a six-pack of smaller portions.
- Support local plastic bag bans or taxes.
- Kick your gum-chewing habit. Nowadays, most chewing gum contains polyethylene and polyvinyl acetate rather than chicle, which was made from tree sap and was biodegradable.
- Use biodegradable bags for pet waste.
- Recycle your plastic goods. Only about 10% of plastic in the U.S. is recycled.
Many people don’t recycle plastic because they are unsure how to do so. In general, the “best” plastics are those embossed with a 1 or 2 on their bottoms; those with higher numbers are either more toxic or less reusable. If you must buy plastic objects, try to stick with the lower numbers. Styrofoam, commonly used in meat packages in groceries, is one of the longest-lasting plastics, but you can recycle it at Dart Container Co., 600 Israel Road in Tumwater.
Shape also matters. In Thurston County, for example, transparent bottles and jars can be recycled only if the neck is narrower than the base. Opaque food tubs, like those for yogurt or sour cream) are recyclable but clear tubs are not. Rigid, but not soft, plant pots are also recyclable. Prescription medicine bottles are recyclable only if their openings are narrower than their bases (which is generally not the case). Plastic lids are never recyclable—they gum up recycling equipment. So do plastic bags. Plastic clamshells are not recyclable.
Plastic lasts in landfills and in the seas for thousands of years; it harms wildlife. Many plastics also leak estrogenic chemicals that are carcinogenic. It is made from oil, and hence its use encourages drilling and oil transport. There are so many good reasons to try to reduce our reliance on plastic: please commit to taking at least one or two small steps in that direction!