Disrupting Disposables The Drive to Banish Single-Use Plastics
U
by Yvette C. Hammett
niversities, sports There is momentum, and studies on how best to arenas, restaurants but it is challenging. reduce them through public and other businesses policy abound. A recent are taking up the call to ~Eric DesRoberts Canadian research paper in “disrupt disposables” as part the Marine Pollution Bulletin of a global effort to dramatically cut down on explores strategies such as bans, tax levies single-use plastics. The environmental proband education. Experts agree that it is not lems caused by those ubiquitous throwaways just a litter problem, but a sobering matter have become a mainstay of news reporting, of human and planetary health.
26
Volusia / Flagler
VoFLNatural.com
As these plastics wind up in the oceans and landfills worldwide, they can languish virtually intact for up to 1,000 years, entangling and choking marine mammals and terrestrial wildlife. Or, they break into toxic microplastics that enter drinking water supplies, eventually ingested by humans. Because plastics are made from petroleum, their production also adds to greenhouse gases that contribute to the climate crisis. Two-pronged efforts by businesses and individuals to divert plastics from the waste system and replacing them with Earth-friendly alternatives will eventually pay off, experts say, but it will be a long and slow process. However, momentum is building, spurred by consumer demand and a growing number of enterprising businesses, organizations and academic institutions. At Penn State University, agriculture and biological engineering professor Judd Michael is working with sports facilities to lower both plastics use and littering; the initiative is working so well that their approaches may be taken up by other schools across the nation. “One of my projects is with NASCAR’s Pocono Raceway [also in Pennsylvania], where the owners of the track wanted to continue to make the venue more green,” he says. “There is zero waste in suites for that track, and they are initiating a comprehensive recycling program. They try to get tailgaters to participate, as well.”
sherlesi/Shutterstock.com
green living
