Planet or Plastic

[Cross-posted from Coulee Region Sierra Club]

Friends at Viroqua Plastic Free alerted us to this new issue of National Geographic Magazine. Most of the issue is devoted to plastic pollution and potential solutions. At the very least, we can Take the Pledge.

Interestingly, the BBC recently highlighted a short video on the nation of Vanuatu which has begun banning plastic bags and single use utensils. In just a year, their environment became much cleaner, but their ultimate victory over plastic pollution depends on others since they import so much of their food and other necessities.

In October, we learned that the Ocean Cleanup Project successfully completed a first pass of inventor Boyan Slat's device to tackle the vast plastic islands in our planet's oceans.

WISPIRG has a new initiative encouraging support for the RIGHT TO REPAIR things like electronics and cell phones which would reduce the amount of waste our communities must deal with. They are also collecting petition signatures to support a ban of single use plstic foam items.

If your New Year includes a pledge to do more to rid our planet of the scourge of plastic pollution, check out the Plastic Pollution Coalition, a growing global alliance of more than 1,000 organizations, businesses, and thought leaders in 60 countries working toward a world free of plastic pollution and its toxic impact on humans, animals, waterways, the ocean, and the environment. 

At the very least, make sure you have a supply of reusable shopping bags and food containers (and use them!), a reusable water bottle, and a sustainable green food kit (reusable food storage container plus reusable utensils) to use when you eat out and have left overs OR when you are offered plastic plates and utensils.Find and use places that give the option of buying in bulk so you can use your own containers where allowed. Last but not least - make sure to mention NO PLASTIC PLEASE! at every store and restaurant you visit.