Help end the use of polluting items

Communities across the country are implementing regulations and/or bans on items such as styrofoam, straws and plastic bags. Why are they doing that? Pretty much because it is toxic and a “principle litter” — meaning it’s everywhere.

Plastic-type waste occupies a significant amount of space in our landfills. Foam and other small plastic items are easily blown by wind or washed by rain into storm drains and bodies of water. Toxic chemicals stick to the surface of these bits and birds, fish and other wildlife may ingest the foam particles and micro plastics, causing the polystyrene and other toxins to enter the food chain. Recyclable and compostable alternatives, however, can be reconstituted into other useful products.

Let’s understand a little about polystyrene and why it is a problem. Polystyrene, is a type of plastic manufactured from non-renewable fossil and synthetic chemicals. It usually comes in two forms: “Expanded polystyrene foam (EPS), which is the stuff that’s made into cups, plates, take-out food containers and packing materials; and “solid polystyrene,” which gets turned into plastic forks, all sorts of automobile parts, electronics, toys and much more.

“Styrofoam” is how most of us generically refer to the EPS material, but it’s actually a term trademarked by the Dow Chemical Company for extruded polystyrene that’s used in thermal insulation and craft applications.

Something amazing is happening around the country: cities and towns are starting to ban EPS. Throwaway polystyrene coffee cups, soup bowls, plates and trays have gotten the boot. So have those foamy clamshell-style cartons fast food comes in. Even packing peanuts are going the way of the dodo.

Our community does not have a ban on these items, however, there are some simple things you can do to skip the polystyrene.

• Take your own containers to restaurants. I’m certainly as guilty as the next person at forgetting to take a reusable container for my leftovers. But I’m going to try to make that happen. I already keep my shopping bags in my car so I won’t forget them. There’s no reason why I can’t keep some reusable food containers there as well.

• Use a reusable coffee mug, and just don’t order a drink if it is served in EPS foam.

• Avoid packaging that can’t be recycled in your community.

• Choose throwaways made from compostable material. If you do need to use throwaways for a picnic or party, choose those that are made from plant-based substances and can be composted. Encourage the restaurants you frequent to switch to compostable or recyclable carry-out containers, too.

Another culprit in environmental contamination is the plastic straw which has seemingly taken over the world. It all started with a mint julep on a hot summer day in 1888. According to the legend, Marvin Stone was drinking a mint julep when his piece of rye grass, then used as a straw, began to disintegrate. Stone, a paper cigarette holder manufacturer, decided he could make something better. He was the first to file a patent for a drinking straw.

In just the U.S. alone, one estimate suggests 500 million straws are used every single day and it is estimated as many as 8.3 billion plastic straws pollute the world’s beaches. Eliminating plastic straw usage rarely requires a drastic change in behavior, and for most able-bodied people, the straw is something you can easily do without. Several groups and municipalities are responding to this seemingly small and simple item which is harming the world’s oceans.

Companies have jumped into the fray by manufacturing metal and glass straws that environmentally conscious consumers can buy for personal use, though they lack the disposability of paper and plastic from which restaurants benefit. It would be better if straws weren’t automatically provided but available should a consumer need one.

These are a couple examples of taking a stand on plastic pollution. What needs to happen is a ban on single-use plastic products and instead using organic based or recycled fiber packaging. A barrier to the use of these is the increased cost of the items, but what is the value of the environment? And what about the companies that package small items in an oversized plastic “thing”?

The conversations need to begin with the companies who are creating the packaging materials and the sustainable brands aiming to ship consciously and ethically.

Stores as close as Medicine Hat are on the B.Y.O.B. (bring your own bag) campaign. An example is they invite you to bring your own bag, purchase a reusable tote from them, or purchase a paper bag for 10 cents. Bringing your own bag is an easy and inexpensive step to help reduce plastic litter that blights landscapes and clogs up sewers and streams.

What are you doing as an individual to help the world who is now struggling to recover from its plastic pollution hangover? Reusable bags for groceries, produce and food storage as well as reusable “plastic wrap” are all available and easy to use. Take the first step today.

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Wanda Meredith

Recycle Hi-Line