De-Plasticize

WHAT IS THE PLASTIC PROBLEM!

We have a plastic problem – in America and all over the world.  How to recycle it, how to contain it, how to keep it out of the waterways, the seas, and our bodies.

My parents did not grow up with plastics - the ubiquitous plastic toys, plastic containers, plastic water bottles, plastic wrap, plastic straws, plastic packages, and much more. But I did - as did anyone born after the mid 1950’s - when the widespread commercial use of plastic in consumer society took off.

Today, the largest market for plastics is packaging and this creates a real recycling challenge. More and more we use plastic containers that are intended only for ‘single use’ and not reusable. Think about the plastic water bottle you picked up today at any local grocery or mini-mart. You probably used it once, finishing the liquid, and then tossed it.

Plastic, most of it, is made from fossil hydrocarbons. Talk about plastic and usually you are referring to products made from ethylene and propylene. No commonly used plastic is very biodegradable. In a landfill it might degrade into smaller pieces, but it does not decompose into something that benefits the earth or the sea.  Instead, plastic generally accumulates in large amounts in landfills and may find its way into our waterways and oceans.

Scientists estimate we have anywhere from 5 to 12 million metric tons of plastic waste in the marine environment. There are more and more reports of sea animals harmed by plastic. You might have read about whales or sharks who are found to have eaten plastic bags at sea.

A worrisome new research area is the effects of plastic particles that are mere millimeters or micrometers in size. Plastic can break down into these very tiny particle sizes. Researchers are studying how “microplastics” might harm marine and freshwater environments. There is also concern about human ingestion of these particles.

Up to this year, the world paid China to take enormous amounts of international waste – paper, plastic, and more - and dispose of it as the Chinese nation saw fit. China has been the largest importer of discarded materials for decades. American recycling policy has relied on this.

But China recently announced that, as of 2019, it will no longer accept about 50% of the material it once took. This will particularly impact the wealthier countries, such as the United States, which generate a lot of waste and try to recycle by ‘export’.  Experts estimate an additional 37 million metric tons of waste for the U.S. to handle. And no one knows if American recycling and landfills can handle this new amount safely.

If you are concerned, then get more informed. Perhaps pursue education and a career in environmental studies. Work with campaigns to improve the laws and policies around recycling and reducing plastic usage. And, easiest of all, you can reduce your own personal plastic footprint!

ABOUT OUR PLASTIC PROBLEM

Moby-duck: The True Story of 28,800 Bath Toys Lost at Sea, and of the Beachcombers, Oceanographers, Environmentalists, and Fools-- Including the Author-- Who Went in Search of Them by Donovan Hohn

When the author heard of the mysterious loss of thousands of bath toys at sea, he figured he would interview a few oceanographers, talk to a few beachcombers, and read up on Arctic science and geography. But questions can be like ocean currents: wade in too far, and they carry you away. His accidental odyssey pulls him into the secretive world of shipping conglomerates, the daring work of Arctic researchers, the lunatic risks of maverick sailors, and the shadowy world of Chinese toy factories. This work is a journey into the heart of the sea and an adventure through science, myth, the global economy, and some of the worst weather imaginable. With each new discovery, he learns of another loose thread, and with each successive chase, he comes closer to understanding where his castaway quarry comes from and where it goes.. Marine debris. Plastic toys.

A Plastic Ocean (DVD)

An international team of adventurers, researchers, and Ocean ambassadors go on a mission around the globe to uncover the shocking truth about what is truly lurking beneath the surface of our seemingly pristine ocean. …[and] captured never-before-seen images of marine life, plastic pollution, and its ultimate consequences for human health..






Plastic Ocean: How a Sea Captain's Chance Discovery Launched a Quest to Save the Oceans by Charles Moore

In the summer of 1997, Charles Moore set sail from Honolulu for California after competing in a trans-Pacific race. When he and his crew took a shortcut through the seldom-traversed North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, a vast oceanic "desert" where winds are slack, Moore realized his ship was skimming through a plastic soup. He had stumbled upon the largest garbage dump on the planet, soon to be dubbed the Great Pacific Garbage Patch--where plastic outweighs zooplankton, the ocean's food base, by six to one. Here, Moore recounts his ominous findings and unveils the secret life and hidden properties of plastics. Moore includes us in his maritime exploits as he collects samples throughout the oceans, and in his struggle to get the world's attention about the oceans' plight. He describes how plastics gradually emerged as a planetary menace--not just litter, but a potent threat to the ocean environment, and thus to life on earth. -- From publisher description.


Plastic Paradise: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (DVD)

Plastic Paradise investigates the problem of the Midway Atoll, otherwise known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a small land mass in the Pacific Ocean that collects the plastic refuse from three continents. Presents arguments against single-use plastic containers, which do not biodegrade.








Plastic Planet (DVD)

It is the Age of Plastic. It's cheap, practical, and everywhere. But is it dangerous? Viewers are taken on a journey around the globe, from the Moroccan Sahara to the middle of the Pacific Ocean, from a factory in China to the Alps to reveal the far-flung reaches of the plastic problem. Interviews with experts in biology, pharmacology, and genetics shed light on the perils of plastic to the environment and expose the truth of how plastic affects the body, and the health of future generations.




ABOUT REDUCING, RECYCLING, REUSING

Use our library resources and see what you can do to reduce your plastic footprint!

Junk raft : An Ocean Voyage and a Rising Tide of Activism to Fight Plastic Pollution by Marcus Eriksen

"An exciting account of an activist scientist's unorthodox fight in the growing movement against plastic marine pollution and of his expedition across the Pacific on a home-made "junk raft" Over the past several years, the news media has brought the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch"--The famous swirling gyre of plastic litter in the ocean--into the public consciousness. When Marcus Eriksen cofounded the 5 Gyres Institute with his wife, Anna, and set out to study marine pollution, they found that the reality is even more dire: instead of a stable mass of litter, they discovered that a "plastic smog" of microparticles permeates the world's oceans, defying simplistic clean-up efforts. What's more, these microplastics and their toxic chemistry have seeped into the food chain, threatening marine life and humans alike. Far from being a gloomy treatise on an environmental catastrophe, though, Junk Raft tells the exciting story of Eriksen's fight to raise awareness and solve the problem of plastic pollution, contributing to a fast-growing movement to stem the tide of trash. Eriksen writes of his voyage from Los Angeles to Hawaii aboard his homemade "junk raft," and along the way he recounts the successful efforts to fight corporate influence and demand that plastics producers take responsibility for a problem they've created. Eriksen provides concrete, actionable solutions and an empowering message: it's up to bold, brash, unapologetically activist "citizen scientists" to challenge the status quo for the sake of the planet"-- Provided by publisher.

Life Without Plastic: The Practical Step-by-Step Guide to Avoiding Plastic to Keep your Family and the Planet Healthy by Chantal Plamondon and Jay Sinha, founders of Life without Plastic

After the birth of their son, Jay Sinha and Chantal Plamondon set out on a journey to eliminate plastic baby bottles as the Canadian government moved to ban BPA. When they found it was difficult to procure glass baby bottles, Jay and Chantal made it their mission to not only find glass and metal replacements for plastic, but to make those products accessible to the public as well. While plastic has its uses in technology, the medical and industrial sectors and some products around the home, single-use plastics may release chemicals when they come in contact with food and water. These disposable plastics are commonly used to package food and drinks as well as personal care and cleaning products. Jay and Chantal show readers how to analyze their personal plastic use, find alternatives and create easy replacements in this step-by-step guide. Get your family healthier, spread consciousness and radiate positive plastic-free energy by taking action to help the environment.

Plastic Purge: How to Use Less Plastic, Eat Better, Keep Toxins Out of Your Body, and Help Save the Sea Turtles! by Michael SanClements

"Plastic is everywhere you look. Our computers and children's toys are made out of it, and our water and slices of American cheese are packaged in it. But why is there so much and what is it doing to our bodies? Is it possible to use less plastic and be happier and healthier? In Plastic Purge, author Mike SanClements presents the history and science behind plastics, then teaches you how to cut down on the amount of plastic in your life. As an ecologist, SanClements has put together the most up-to-date and scientifically rigorous information available to explain how plastics release toxins into our bodies and the effect it has on us. Written with a casual, pop-science voice he provides easy-to-follow prescriptive advice for how to use less plastic, thereby reaping the benefits such as eating a healthier diet and living with less clutter. Dividing plastics into three separate categories: the good, the bad, and the ugly, SanClements shows you how to embrace the good (items like your phone or medical equipment), avoid the bad (i.e. food storage containers and toys that contain toxic chemicals like BPA and pthalates), and use less of the ugly (single-use plastic that's just plain wasteful)"-- Provided by publisher.

Zero Waste: Simple Life Hacks to Drastically Reduce Your Trash by Shia Su

We have a worldwide trash epidemic. The average American disposes of 4.4 pounds of garbage per day, and our landfills hold 254 million tons of waste. What if there were a simple and fun way for you to make a difference? What if you could take charge of your own waste, reduce your carbon footprint, and make an individual impact on an already fragile environment? A zero waste lifestyle is the answer and Shia Su is living it. Every single piece of unrecyclable garbage Shia has produced in one year fits into a mason jar and if it seems overwhelming, it isn't! In Zero Waste, Shia demystifies and simplifies the zero waste lifestyle for the beginner, sharing practical advice, quick solutions, and tips and tricks that will make trash-free living fun and meaningful. Learn how to: Build your own zero waste kit. Prepare real food the lazy way. Make your own DIY household cleaners and toiletries. Be zero waste even in the bathroom! And more! Be part of the solution! Implement these small changes at your own pace, and restructure your life to one of sustainable living for your community, your health, and the earth that sustains you.

Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste by Bea Johnson

A practical guide for reducing waste in the home offers tools and tips for going "zero waste," discussing how to make cosmetics and cleaning supplies, pack lunches without plastic, and weed out unnecessary appliances. Shows how the author transformed her family's life for the better by reducing their waste to an astonishing 1 liter per year; part practical guide that gives readers tools & tips to diminish their footprint & simplify their lives. -- Publishers Description. "In Zero Waste Home, Bea Johnson shares the story of how she simplified her life by reducing her waste. Today, Bea, her husband, Scott, and their two young sons produce just one quart of garbage a year, and their overall quality of life has changed for the better: they now have more time together, they've cut their annual spending by a remarkable 40 percent, and they are healthier than they've ever been. This book shares essential how-to advice, secrets, and insights based on Bea's experience. She demystifies the process of going Zero Waste with hundreds of easy tips for sustainable living that even the busiest people can integrate: from making your own mustard, to packing kids' lunches without plastic, to canceling your junk mail, to enjoying the holidays without the guilt associated with overconsumption. Zero Waste Home is a stylish and relatable step-by-step guide that will give you the practical tools to help you improve your health, save money and time, and achieve a brighter future for your family--and the planet"-- Provided by publisher.

TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS!


  • Don’t grocery shop with plastic bags! Use your own reusable bags. Most plastic bags are never recycled, used once, and then end up in landfills or worse. Companies make very attractive bags in all kinds of colors and designs. Get bags you can easily wash and keep fresh.
  • Say No to plastic bottled water. Carry your own non-plastic reusable water bottle. There are lots of choices in metal or glass.
  • Say No to plastic straws. Starbucks will stop using them in over 28,000 stores by 2020. As you can see, there is growing momentum to eliminate plastic straws. They have been found in bodies of sea animals and all over our beaches. Check out Straw Free.  According to Straw Free, at the current rate of plastic usage “By 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean.” [https://strawfree.org/]
  • Ditch your plastic food containers. Invest in steel or glass containers for your pantry and refrigerator.
  • Eating out? Carry with you a non-plastic eating kit stocked with non-plastic cutlery and a non-plastic straw (Yes non-plastic straws exist!)
  • Shop at a zero-packaging grocery store. This may not be possible in New Jersey right now, but Google it and see if there is a store that allows you to at least buy in bulk and carry your purchase home in your own non-plastic containers.
  • De-plasticize your bathroom. Use bar soap instead of liquid soap; use wooden handle hairbrushes and toothbrushes with natural fiber bristles
  • And there is much more that you can easily do (or with some effort)!  Here are a few web resources:
    • This Earth Day Network site takes you on “Personal Journey to End Plastic Pollution.” Download your own “Plastic Pollution Primer.” Coming out of the First Earth day, Earth Day Network seeks to “diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide.” [https://www.earthday.org/yourjourney2018/]
    • The Plastic Free Waters Partnership  [https://plasticfreewaters.org] connects groups from both the nonprofit and private sectors who want to reduce plastic and microplastic debris in all waterways – with emphasis on those of the New York and New Jersey region. Take a look at their projects [https://plasticfreewaters.org/projects/]
    • There are plastic reduction tips from NY/NJ Baykeeper [http://nynjbaykeeper.org/plastic-reduction/], our guardian of the NY-NJ Harbor Estuary. Their mission: to protect and restore the most urban estuary in the United States.  Read their 10 Ways to Reduce Plastic Pollution  [https://www.nrdc.org/stories/10-ways-reduce-plastic-pollution]
    • Plastic Free Jersey is a coalition of individuals, businesses and organizations working to reduce the amount of plastic we use in the garden state. [https://plasticfreejersey.com/]
    • Zero Waste Movement – The motto for Zero Waste is Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot. This is a worldwide lifestyle movement to reduce personal waste to a minimum. If you are a ‘zero waster’ you avoid almost all plastics and whatever adds to landfill. On average, Americans generate over 4 pounds of trash every single day per person. That adds up to an amazing 1,600 pounds of garbage per year per person.  Zero wasters want to minimize their waste footprint. The most extreme zero wasters have gotten down to just a jar of trash per year. Do you believe that? Take a look at this May 18, 2018  National Geographic article “How People Make only a Jar of Trash Per year” [https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/05/zero-waste-families-plastic-culture/]


There are lots more ideas in the books we suggested and you can easily find web blogs and organizations working on the issues. Find your way to Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

- Karen S., Acquisitions and Cataloging

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