Letter: A plastic-free July

Plastic waste and pollution have reached epic proportions. Billions of tons of plastic have been produced since it was invented in the early 1900s. Though useful, most plastic has accumulated in landfills, landscapes, rivers and oceans. Single use plastic is everywhere! We use ten billion plastic bags worldwide every week. Most does not make it into the recycling stream. Plastic is made with petroleum and other chemicals harmful to marine animals, wildlife and people. What can be done to stem the tide? Many packaging manufacturers, restaurants, stores and schools are shifting to reusable or biodegradable packaging. We can help.

Plastic Free July invites people either to try to go plastic free for a month or reduce plastic consumption. We can each make a difference by recycling, avoiding plastic wrapped food, and by using reusable water bottles and cloth bags for groceries. NH’s Ten Town Ten Actions Campaign has volunteers reducing plastic waste and pollution in their communities. To honor Plastic Free July the group promotes actions in their online Ten Towns Toolkit and invites others to share their ideas and successes. Take the challenge to reduce your plastic use consumption or go plastic free altogether during July. You can choose to do so for a day, a week, the whole month or from now on. Let’s reduce together.

Ann Podlipny

Chester