Planet vs Plastics
Each year, the international Earth Day organization chooses a theme. In 2024, it’s Planet vs Plastics.
Plastics are a handy material: lightweight and flexible. You wouldn’t want your kid’s bike helmet made from glass.
However, the production of plastic involves some nasty chemicals, and a tiny fraction is recycled. Now we’re discovering microplastics everywhere, including in our blood.
It will take awhile to fix these problems. But right now, we can:
- say no to single use plastic items
- bring reusable containers to the market
- recycle any plastic we do use, and
- look for alternatives.
For example, you can buy salon quality shampoo as bars. Laundry soap is available in sheets and pods that dissolve in water. You can bring your own take out containers when you eat at restaurants. We can do better!
Did you know you can recycle a lot more than plastic bags?
Most grocery stores that collect plastic bags send the material to Trex to make decking. Trex can accept a lot more than just plastic grocery sacks. You can also recycle shrink wrap, plastic mailers, baggies and cereal bags. Learn more in the video below, featuring Sarah Musil.
