What’s SUP?
So, what’s SUP? It’s the acronym for “Single-Use Plastic” and the source of much of the litter in our landscape. A 2020 nationwide litter study conducted by Keep America Beautiful determined that plastic is the most littered item by material group. It includes plastic water bottles, plastic produce bags and store shopping bags, straws, plastic utensils, sandwich baggies and many, many others.
In 2022 OpinionWorks, in collaboration with the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program and Clean Virginia Waterways of Longwood University, conducted a representative statewide sampling of 901 Virginia registered voters March 8-13, 2022. It concludes that 55% of those surveyed believe “Plastic floating in the ocean” was second on the list of top concerns, and 24% believe that “Trash and litter in your community” is a “very serious concern.” The study also showed broad support among voters for laws that would decrease litter and marine debris. You can read more about this Virginia Voter survey: 2022 Public Perception Survey Plastic Pollution
SUP is a huge problem. Single-use plastics are items that are made primarily from fossil fuel–based chemicals (petrochemicals). They become discardable almost immediately, once the candy is popped in your mouth, the fork for your take-out food is being used, the wrapper on a pack of almost anything you buy. SUP is unsightly on the side of the road, it clogs storm drains, it pollutes waterways, and it’s harmful to wildlife.
But there is much we can do to help.
Although many plastic items are technically recyclable, there are fewer opportunities to recycle with some businesses being unwilling or unable to offer to collect and sort used plastic, and some residents can’t locate facilities that accept all forms of plastic. If you are on a litter cleanup, it’s often necessary to dispose of items that can’t be recycled — such as a bottle that has been run over by a car or has been lying in the mud for a year — because it is no longer a viable product to be recycled.
The best plan of action is to stop using SUP when possible. Arm yourself with a few items daily, and you’ll be prepared to say “No thanks” to SUP throughout the day. Get yourself a refillable water bottle – with your favorite color, sports team, nonprofit cause, pooch, or alma mater; a metal or silicone straw you keep in your purse or pocket; a bamboo or metal spoon and fork will help you avoid plastic utensils at lunch time when you dine out, as will reusable Stasher bags eliminate the need for SUP sandwich baggies if you like to brown bag it.
So know what’s SUP in your life that can be replaced with reusable items. Besides not adding to the SUP problem, you’ll most likely be saving money! It’s good for the environment, and it’s good for you.