Join Us for PLASTIC FREE JULY and beyond

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Please join the SE Iowa Sierra Club, TerraCycle and the Sustainable Living Coalition, along with and an estimated 100 million participants in 190 countries in reducing our everyday use of single-use plastics during Plastics Free July, and beyond.

So, what’s the problem? Plastic has many valuable uses in our daily lives. In fact, I would wager to say that it is nearly impossible for any of us to live completely without plastic. However, we’re putting the focus specifically on the single-use plastics we use on a daily basis, a major source of pollution due to their persistence in the environment and the release of harmful chemicals. Single-use plastics are made of synthetic, organic polymer made from fossil fuels and don't biodegrade but rather break down into microplastics, which contaminate water and food sources. Additionally, their production and disposal contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

Unlike organic materials, plastics don't decompose quickly, persisting in the environment for hundreds of years. As plastics break down, they release microplastics, which enter the food chain and pose potential risks to human health. Plastic waste that ends up in landfills can leach harmful chemicals into the ground, or if incinerated, release toxic pollutants into the air. Single-use plastics can also leach harmful chemicals, like bisphenol-A (BPA), into the ecosystem, also potentially causing human health and environmental problems.

Really, how big is the problem? The data vary significantly, however, the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) has indicated that single-use plastic production and disposal doubled between 2000 and 2019. Given this trend, the expected forecast is that production and waste of single-use plastics will triple between now and 2060. What does this mean in terms of numbers? UNEP approximates that 460 million metric tons of plastic are produced every year; 20 million metric tons per year of that 460 million end up as macroplastics (pieces larger than 0.5mm) in our environment. Much of this comes from single-use products such as bottles, caps, cigarettes, shopping bags, cups and straws, with the burden primarily falling on local communities to change the tide on both how we consume single-use plastics, and how we dispose of them.

So, if the burden is on us, what can we do? Here are a few easy tips: 1) First of all, be aware of the problem and take responsibility by reducing your consumption and choosing reusable alternatives to single-use plastics like reusable water bottles, shopping bags and food

containers. 2) Support recycling programs and explore reuse models to manage existing single-use plastic already part of our system. 3) Encourage businesses to find alternative products and packaging to single-use plastics, while at the same time bringing your own mug to your favorite coffee shop or reusable container for take-away food – advocate and let our local businesses know you care. 4) Do your own exploration on biodegradable and compostable alternatives to single-use plastics and share these ideas with others, including our local businesses. Create your own circular waste model, for both you and our community.

And join us, the SE Iowa Sierra Club, Sustainable Living Coalition and TerraCycle for PLASTIC FREE JULY at the Saturday Farmers’ Markets, June 28-July 26. While visiting us, receive more information on how to live a more PLASTIC FREE life, claim your free cloth produce bag, play games to test your knowledge about single-use plastics, and receive take-away guides for living a more sustainable life. All ages welcome. Let’s all participate in moving away from single-use plastics. For more information contact: Marg Dwyer, margdwyerhome@gmail.com