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Words: Say No to Plastic, graphics of plastic cups, bottles, containers

There’s a New R in Town

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Words: Say No to Plastic, graphics of plastic cups, bottles, containersYou’re probably familiar with the 3 R’s — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – and maybe you can sing along with Jack Johnson’s song that introduced the concept to kids in a cool way.

But there’s a new R in town:  Refuse!

Yes, reducing and reusing are still vital activities.  It’s the effect of recycling that’s being scrutinized.  Things have changed since we first met the green “chasing arrows” on the bottom of a plastic item to suggest that it’s recyclable or made from a recyclable material.

According to MIT Technology Review, July 11, 2024, “Those little arrows imply a nice story, painting a picture of a world where the material will be recycled into a new bottle or some such product, maybe forming an endless loop of reuse. But the reality of plastics recycling today doesn’t match up to that idea. Only about 10% of the plastic ever made has been recycled; the vast majority winds up in landfills or in the environment.”

While recycling was a way for municipalities to make money in the past by selling waste to be recycled, there are fewer markets for the recycled material, and it’s costing local governments money to collect and transport recycling.  Many have discontinued curbside recycling programs.

This is where Refuse comes in.  We have the ability to choose which products we use or purchase and which ones we refuse.  Single-use plastic (SUP) items have an average working life of 12 minutes, according to most sources.  That means there’s only about 12-15 minutes from the time you open the plastic fork or straw from its plastic wrapper, use it, and throw it away.  If you refuse the plastic utensils (and there are some cool reusable utensils to have on hand, including second-hand metal ones from the thrift shop) or drink your soda without a straw, you’re refusing to add to the SUP problem!

You can refuse to use disposable plastic cups for use around the house, and choose products you purchase that offer alternatives to plastic, such as food containers made from cardboard, six-pack rings that are compostable, bulk food products instead of individually plastic-wrapped items.

I hope you’ll give a warm welcome to the new R in town when you can carry your own refillable water bottle,  bring your own produce and grocery bags, use cloth covers instead of fighting with plastic wrap on leftovers, and refuse to be part of the plastic problem.

It’s good for the environment and good for you!

Two boys using cans and string to talk

Can We Talk?

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Two boys using cans and string to talkOne of the simplest things you can do to help Virginians live a more sustainable lifestyle is free and easy:  talk about it.  We can improve the natural and scenic environment of Virginia by taking some steps ourselves to live more sustainably, then get others on board by simply talking about it!  Not in a confrontational, bullhorn, annoying kind of way, but in a conversational way with your friends and family.  When taking steps to reduce waste daily becomes the level of normal behavior, we all win.

Here are some ideas to start:

  • Mention your choice to take the slow path, traveling by train, instead of flying to a destination. Not only is taking the less stressful mode of transportation rewarding, telling others that it’s a normal option is a good message.
  • Proudly display your team’s mascot on your refillable water bottle at work or volunteer meetings. Mention how great it would be to have refillable bottles with the company or organization’s logo to get others to kick the single-use plastic water bottle habit.
  • Offer your extra reusable grocery bags to the neighbor in the apartment across the hall after noticing they have an armload of the store’s thin, stretchy, plastic bags.
  • Ride your bike to work one day a week. Your co-workers would probably notice and ask you about it, and maybe be encouraged to try it themselves if it’s feasible.
  • The next time you host or attend a book club night or football watch party, bring a plant-based snack to share. You can say it’s Meatless Anyday.  Food Network has recipes for some tasty options!

Having these kinds of conversations is a way to contribute to a healthier environment in your community.  According to Dr. Doug McKenzie-Mohr, “Research demonstrates, however, that the traditional approach of using ads, brochures or websites to encourage behaviour change simply doesn’t work.” He suggests that getting the community to view sustainable living habits as a normal and do-able option is the best way to move the needle towards the goal.

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