Plastic never goes away although it eventually crumbles up into tiny bits. These bits of plastic enter the food supply and are passed from jelly fish all the way back up to humans where it is stored in their livers.
Every person who uses plastic has contributed to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Whether you throw litter on the ground or into a landfill…everyone throws away plastic and it ends up in the ocean and then back in our bodies.
Ways to Reduce Plastic in Landfills
Avoid Products that use Plastic
Plastic is convenient but the clear kind usually finds its way into our food. It leaves a film on anything that is wrapped in it and then we eat it.
Kick the Bottle Habit
One of the most wasteful products is individually wrapped bottles of water. This has lingered from the 1990′s fad for those pretending to be health conscious.
Recycle or Reuse Materials
Plastic can be recycled. Once you start recycling you will save money on trash bags. Many containers can be washed out and reused.
Choose Products with Biodegradable Plastic
Many plastic cups along with packaging peanuts are available in a biodegradable form.
Repair, Sell or Upgrade Gadgets
Buy used products when possible and sell your items when you no longer need them. Opt for products that offer replacement parts.
Recycle Computer Parts
If you must discard computer items, take them to an electronics recycler. Staples accepts old monitors, for a small fee. Goodwill accepts items that work.
Use Cloth Grocery Bags
Avoid bringing home plastic bags. Cloth bags are a great alternative.
Do Sweat the Small Stuff
The worst pieces of plastic are the tiny ones. These are what birds and fish mistake for food and eat and then can’t pass them.
Don’t Litter
Debris will persist for decades and humans leave enough of a footprint without adding insult to injury.
Clean up your Neighborhood Ponds
Many neighborhoods have small ponds containing water that is cleaner than their municipal water. These ponds are often teeming with fish and turtles that help keep them pure. Unfortunately these ponds are normally loaded with plastic debris. If we would take 15 minutes each week a lot of clean up could be accomplished.
