{"id":692658,"date":"2026-05-25T02:52:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T02:52:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/692658\/"},"modified":"2026-05-25T02:52:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T02:52:14","slug":"we-must-eliminate-plastic-before-it-eliminates-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/692658\/","title":{"rendered":"We must Eliminate Plastic before it Eliminates Us"},"content":{"rendered":"

Greenfield, Mass. (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) \u2013 How can we fight what I have called the plague<\/a> of toxic plastic pollution, given it is everywhere and in everything from the peaks of the highest mountains and deepest depths of the sea to our internal organs, other parts of our body and breath?\u00a0 I ask this rhetorically given we must reduce plastic and quickly before we humans are overwhelmed by the health effects of its toxic chemicals, and before the fossil fuels used to create plastics push climate chaos to a point of no return<\/a>.\u00a0 Already almost half the world\u2019s population<\/a> live in areas highly susceptible to climate crisis.<\/p>\n

Plastic \u201cgarbage<\/a> soup<\/a>\u201d is a serious hazard to marine life: fish and shellfish ingest tiny particles called microplastics and nanoplastics. And many marine animals, including\u00a0whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and sea turtles get tangled up in plastic fishing gear and other marine debris leading to injuries, starvation or drowning.\u00a0 We humans eat contaminated fish and shellfish and plastics are passed on to infants in the womb who are born pre-polluted<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>\n

As countries are moving toward electrification to replace their need for fossil fuels (the US being king among the exceptions), Exxon Mobil, the world\u2019s largest producer of single-use plastics, is planning to increase petrochemical production, mainly for plastics, by 80% by 2050<\/a>.\u00a0 By 2060 the entire plastics industry projects to triple its current production of one-half billion tons per year (up from 2 million ton in 1950).<\/p>\n

There are alternatives to using plastic, some easily affordable others more expensive and out of reach for people struggling in this regressive revival of the late 19th century Gilded Age.\u00a0 The National Resources Defense Council has provided a list of 10 ways to reduce plastic pollution<\/a> from which I have selected 4 to start with.<\/p>\n

Wean ourselves off of single-use plastic: plastic grocery bags, disposable cutlery and plates, plastic straws, coffee lids, and clear plastic wrap, which transfers toxics from the plastic wrap to the food it touches. Use reusable cotton produce bags in the store and at farmers markets for vegetables and fruit. \u00a0Bring your own garment bag to the dry cleaners, your own utensils for take-out food, and your own coffee mug anytime you buy coffee.
\nStop buying bottled water.\u00a0 Carry a reusable bottle and fill it with your own tap water.\u00a0 In early 2024, scientists discovered an average of 240,000 pieces<\/a> of tiny plastic in each liter of bottled water.
\nThird: Use wooden cutting boards; they\u2019re durable while plastic cutting boards may be a significant source of microplastics in our food.
\nHere is a motivational fact about plastic bags, to help strengthen our resolve. Five trillion plastic bags<\/a> are used globally each year only to be replaced by these toxic bags each year, using oil and gas anew.\u00a0 Americans use an average of 365 plastic bags<\/a> per year the largest consumer of single-use plastic bags in the world while the people of Denmark use four per year<\/a>. \u00a0Support or introduce a tax or, better yet, a ban on single-use plastic bags that hundreds of cities, counties, and twelve states<\/a> have implemented.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Other recommendations<\/p>\n

*Choose natural fiber clothing made from cotton or hemp because synthetic clothing made from polyester and nylon can leave microplastics remnants in air, on skin and in water supplies.\u00a0 A load of synthetic clothing may discharge up to 1.5 million synthetic microfibers<\/a> into waterways.\u00a0 Some researchers think that synthetic textiles contribute up to 35% of microplastic pollution<\/a>.<\/p>\n

*Use paper with no plastic coating, as was used to package food in by gone days and request where possible that your fresh cut cheese and meats be wrapped in paper.\u00a0 When used, the paper can be recycled or composted.<\/p>\n

*Store food in metal or glass storage containers, now available at mainstream food stores and online.<\/p>\n

*Use a powder for dishwashing and laundry and a bar of soap for handwashing instead of plastic containers of liquid dishwashing and laundry detergents and handwashing liquid .<\/p>\n

All of these suggestions for finding available substitutions for plastic are \u201cnot a moment too soon for our plastic-choked <\/a>planet<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unique among recent models of reducing exposure to plastic is a move toward natural playgrounds for children.\u00a0 Forty-two daycare centers in Finland have replaced plastic flooring, rubber mats, asphalt and gravel with natural materials<\/a> including soil, sand, moss, plants, and sections of forest floor.\u00a0 Children were encouraged to interact directly with nature\u2019s materials such as digging and playing in soil.\u00a0 Their immune systems were subsequently studied and researchers reported \u201cstronger overall immune responses than in children in standard asphalt and plastic [playgrounds].\u201d\u00a0 Many commented that what was once the norm \u2013 outdoor play with plants, grass, moss and soil should become the norm again.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Photo by Antoine GIRET<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a> <\/p>\n

A model to be replicated throughout the world.<\/p>\n

Resources<\/p>\n

*NRDC\u00a0\u00a0 https:\/\/www.nrdc.org\/stories\/10-ways-reduce-plastic-pollution<\/p>\n

*Free the Ocean\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 https:\/\/www.freetheocean.com<\/a><\/p>\n

*Plastic Pollution Coalition https:\/\/www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org\/about<\/a><\/p>\n

*Peter Kindfield. Explorations in Ecology: Playful Science-Rich Outdoor Activity for Children and Their Adults (Chelsea Green Publishing) 2026.<\/p>\n

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