Earlier this year, I had the most fun volunteering. EVER. It was a perfect storm of circumstances. On one front, I had thoroughly enjoyable company. Mix in canoes and Illinois’ only National Wild & Scenic River and the excitement started to build. Add trash removal to this climate and even NOAA couldn’t predict the good times. All told, twelve of us spent five hours on the river, and we collected one tire per person! Not to mention, four televisions. At the end of the day, the two flatbeds held over one ton of litter. Unsurprisingly, most of the litter would be considered single-use. A lot of it could have been recycled.
Flash forward to my previously mentioned visit to New Orleans in November. During my time there, I enjoyed strolling the Mississippi River Walk early each morning. I stopped at the railing one morning to watch the river course by. As I looked down, my eyes were quickly drawn to the trash filled banks. Unsurprisingly, most of the litter would be considered single-use. A lot of it could have been recycled. I’m sure it’s possible that one of the soda bottles I saw at the mouth of the Mississippi could have started it’s journey in Illinois.
To be fair, I also saw a lot of rubber and electronics and aluminum that needed to be removed from these two waterways. These items are an issue. However, the clearer problem is plastic. Why?
- 40% of plastic is packaging that is used one time and then thrown away.
- Sea creatures can not process plastic upon consumption. Over half of all sea animals have been found to have plastic in them.
- In 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than animal life.
- Half of all plastic becomes trash in less than one year.
- Plastic never fully degrades, rather it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces. Big plastic swirling in our waterways is noticeable, but did you know that when you ask to pass the table salt, 90% of the time you will be sprinkling plastic on your food?
- Really, I’m just unscrewing the cap! For more sobering stats:
- https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/05/plastics-facts-infographics-ocean-pollution/
- http://environment.yale.edu/magazine/fall2009/the-problem-with-plastics/
At this point, you might be asking: Why are you writing this to me? I recycle. My workplace recycles. We all recycle.
- Well, for starters, we don’t recycle as much as we think we do. Every year, only 9% of plastic that is produced is recycled.
- Next, consider this: Have you ever really followed the trail of your trash? One government watchdog agency found a Chicago recycling company to be 20 times more likely to send your recyclables to the landfill instead of the recycle center.
- So often solutions for obesity and other health crises, are reactive. Local parks and recreation professionals should be known as pro-active community health agents. Not just through physical activity, but also by limiting use of containers that are known to cause health and environmental problems. Don’t forget, most of the single-use containers are not filled with the most healthy food choices.
Ultimately, I’m asking you to start with small changes. Small changes have big impacts!
- Watch for plastic in your parking lots, prairie grasses, sewer grates, roadways, and creek beds. It will be like purchasing a new car. Once you get it, you will see it everywhere.
- Read a book with your staff. It’s not hard to find a lot of options on this topic. I’ve suggested two in this post: “Plastic Purge” by Michael SanClements and “Garbageland: On the Secret Trail of Trash” by Elizabeth Royte.
- Change out your vending machines. In 2011, the Chicago Park District decided to offer healthy food options in their vending machines. By 2014, vending machine users were more likely to chose the healthy food options. Positive feedback and increased revenue has emboldened CPD to expand their efforts.
- Install bottle filling stations. In 2014, Duke University installed 50 bottle filling stations across campus. In the first year, the stations were estimated to have saved 400,000 single-use plastic bottles.
- Remove plastic altogether. Major companies are starting with straws.
- Lastly, be prepared: making small changes will ruffle big feathers: https://nypost.com/2017/08/17/national-park-service-ends-disposable-water-bottle-ban/
At the end of the day, if “park,” “recreation,” “conservation,” or “preserve” are part of your agency’s title, your mission relates to community health in some way. You owe it to your residents to make the best choices that proactively care for their health. You owe it to your rivers and parks to make the best choices toward ecosystem health. You have the power to lead change in your community related to single-use plastic and a host of other health related impacts. Take small steps. Eventually you will be at the top of the stairs where you belong!
