Plastic is polluting our environment, killing birds and sea creatures, and contributing to our climate crisis. But, did you know that reducing plastic is something you can do to support public health, the local economy, and human rights, too? We need to work together to turn off the tidal wave of single-use plastic waste.
Plastic-free July is a global movement to challenge us all to do better, and we must.
The plastic industry likes to gaslight the public by trying to convince people that this is a problem created and solved by individual consumers, but it’s not. Plastic production and mismanagement are systemic problems, and they are not your fault. We all need to work together to create systemic changes in the way we think about packaging and waste so we can truly stem the tide of plastic pollution in ways that are substantial and will make a real difference for our safety and the health of the planet.
Many of you have been leading local efforts to reduce plastic pollution across Maine. Without you, we never would have been successful at banning single-use plastic shopping bags and foam food containers in Maine (both laws are set to take effect in January 2021).
But our job is not done yet. Plastic-free July is an opportunity to regroup, revitalize, and focus on tackling plastic pollution.
Here is our short list of some things you can do over the next month to make a difference:
Learn:
- Visit NAACP’s website to learn more about why race is the number one indicator of placement of toxic plastic-producing and waste management facilities.
- Watch The Story of Plastic (available for $1.99 on Prime) and our Story of Plastic webinar and panel discussion.
- Watch the PBS Frontline “Plastic Wars” 54-minute documentary.
- Read our recent blog posts: “Fossil Fuel Companies and Plastic Industry Exploiting Health Crisis for Profit” and “Four Ways We Can Improve Our Worsening Waste and Recycling Crisis”.
- Read the facts about the safety of reusables, endorsed by 118 health experts from around the world.
Act:
- Check out the Natural Resources Council of Maine’s top tips to change your relationship with plastic, which include finding alternatives for balloons, and other “socially distant” party-related waste.
- Support Maine’s local farms and seafood producers, where you are guaranteed to collect less wasteful packaging than in the grocery store, while also scoring some delicious, healthy eats.
- Ask your town to adopt an ordinance addressing balloon litter.
- Support organizations that are working on real solutions to plastic pollution and address the inequities faced by people of color and low income populations.
- Share this blog with your friends and family
Only together, with understanding of the problem, and support for our elected officials who have the political will to stand up to the plastic industry, can we reduce our reliance on single-use plastic to the extent that we will improve our health, support sustainable businesses, and bring environmental justice to the most marginalized and underrepresented communities in our country and around the world.
—Sarah Nichols, NRCM Sustainable Maine Director
Hannaford no longer allows us to carry our own reusable bags into the store, so I ask the bagger to put my groceries back in the cart. I wheel the cart out to my car, where I bag the groceries in my reusable bags. So far, luckily, it has not rained on my shopping days so I can do this. If it rains lightly, I may try covering the groceries-in-cart with a large trash bag over the top to see how that works. Every little bit helps when it comes to reducing plastic use.
This is a great solution until they allow reusable bags back in the store. Thanks for sharing this idea.
This is a great idea!! Can’t wait to get to the market!!,,,,,, as, if food shopping is anyone’s favorite thing to do!
I am so excited and can’t wait to share your brilliance,,,,or was it my idea?
Sarah, Reducing plastic litter strikes me as one of the most important things that can be done to clean-up Maine. Thank you for putting your good work into accomplishing it.
I have some thoughts, ideas, comments. Here in the Blue Hill area, the rules of recycling plastic change often and are not always clear. Some procedures that could stay much the same over the long run would help a lot. This applies to all ages. Many of my senior friends do not want to do it because the rules change so often. Also true of high school and younger ages.
Sadly, few things are statewide. Standardized plastic recycling seems like it might be a useful resolution.
Many seniors do not drive, or do not drive to places not familiar or just can’t figure out how to get things in those big’ole bags. I’m not sure what the solution might be. It needs to take in account that short term memory issues might kick in for the older guys..
Sarah, please do not think what you do is little. I am sure you and your co-workers at NRCM are working hard on this. I appreciate that.
I hope a solution to a nasty problem comes to the surface. And it might be one that across-the-board participation would work well.
Thank you.
Thank you for your support, Rick! This is indeed a very tricky, systemic problem and we need all hands on deck! I think there is a lot that individuals can do, but we also have a lot of room for improvement at the design stage of our packaging. All packaging should be designed with waste reduction, reuse, and recycling in mind, and in that order! That’s why are working hard on a policy that would create those incentives, and provide funding for our municipal recycling programs. Learn more about it on our website, http://www.recyclingreform.org! And let’s talk, there is a lot we can do in our communities too! Blue Hill is loaded with people passionate about this issue. Thanks again for your note.
J, That’s an awesome idea. The amount of plastic bags in our house now is cringe-worthy. I’m going to start doing this!
Great blog! One thing I highly recommend is to join the Plastic Free EcoChallenge: https://plasticfree.ecochallenge.org/
I’ve participated for the past two years and have learned quite a bit about alternatives to plastic. It’s been a great tool for me to change my behavior and to learn how to advocate for alternative solutions. The challenge is free to join and starts today! Maybe NRCM could even make a team?
Love the idea of not getting bagged at all and doing it myself. Thank you!!
shopping cart to the car perfect bag saver