Earth Month Essentials: Understanding and Overcoming Plastic Pollution

April is buzzing with Earth Month excitement, RYSERS! It’s our top pick for all the months as Earth takes center stage and everyone is talking about ways to improve the health of our beautiful planet. On April 22, 2024, we celebrate Earth Day, a global event that brings attention to the importance of protecting our planet. This year's theme, Planet vs Plastic, shines a light on the critical issue of plastic pollution and the need for collective action. The mission? To slash plastic production by 60% by 2040 and steer us towards a plastic-free paradise. Through education, ditching single-use plastics, tackling fast fashion, and embracing more sustainable materials, we're rallying everyone for a massive eco-uprising. Let's unite to shield our health and biodiversity from plastic's grip and ensure that our Earth remains a thriving home for future generations. So get ready to dive in with us to discover the plastic problem and the myriad of innovative solutions at our disposal!

Why Should We Care?

Plastic pollution refers to the accumulation of plastic objects and particles in the Earth's environment that adversely affects wildlife, humans, and the planet as a whole. It's a pressing issue because plastics are durable, degrade very slowly, and thus persist in the environment for long periods of time, leading to significant ecological and health impacts. The effects of this degradation are in the form of microplastics. Annually, more than 350 million tons of plastic in all shapes and sizes are produced, with about 70% ending up in managed landfills or incinerated. The rest that aren’t recycled escapes into the environment, with nearly 1.7 million tons finding its way into the oceans.

What Exactly are Microplastics?

Microplastics are small plastic particles less than 5 mm wide, which is about the width of a new pencil eraser. From the products we use to the clothes we wear, microplastics are everywhere. Some microplastics are large enough to see, while others are small enough to breathe. Some start small, such as the plastic micro-beads used for exfoliation in certain cosmetics, while others start as larger pieces of plastic, such as water bottles and plastic medicine bottles, which end up degrading over time. Tiny pieces contaminate water and soil, entering the food chain where they pose risks to animal and human health. There are approximately 51 trillion microscopic pieces of plastic, that’s about 500 times the number of stars in our galaxy. In case you don’t know how many stars are in our Milky Way, RYSERS, there are over 200 Billion! You will be shocked to learn that we ingest between 1-57 credit cards per year. Credit cards should be in our wallets, not our bellies!

Good News RYSING Your Way

But all is certainly not lost, there are a myriad of innovative solutions that individuals, companies and communities are working on to combat the triple P's: Pervasive Plastic Pollution. Efforts to combat the problem involve global initiatives to reduce plastic use, enhance recycling processes, and develop biodegradable materials. Researchers are exploring innovative solutions like using enzymes to break down plastics and harnessing circular economy principles to minimize waste. Governments and organizations are implementing policies to phase out single-use plastics, improve waste management systems, and invest in recycling technologies. Additionally, community-driven beach clean-ups and public awareness campaigns also play a crucial role. These collective actions aim to tackle the plastic pollution crisis from multiple angles. Throughout April, RYSIT will be highlighting these brilliant endeavors on our social media pages to shine a light on the bright stars of today and tomorrow.

Shining Stars

Scientists and researchers are utilizing the powers of A.I. to create artificial super-proteins based on real life sea strawberry anemones that have the ability to eat microplastics at an incredible speed.

And talk about speed! We love what our friends over at The Ocean Cleanup have been able to do with their vessels that capture ocean trash that has been harnessed from their incredible technological capabilities of creating artificial coastlines to reel in plastic and other forms of garbage. To date 9,449,985 kg of trash have been removed from the ocean.

Follow the team over at Sungai Watch that is pulling 1,800,000 kg of trash from Indonesian waterways and turning the found plastic into stylish lounge chairs and durable sandals made from recycled sandals. Now that’s a step in the right direction!

And let’s not forget our creative collaborators such as Mishvania art who makes colorful sculptures and designs from plastic she pulls from her local beaches.  It's not just about cleaning up; it's a wave of action that ripples across our communities, inspiring more people to protect our blue planet. Every piece of plastic collected is a victory dance for healthy oceans.

What Impact Can One Person Make?

The answer is an overwhelming lot! Here are some easy ways you can contribute this month and into the future to reduce plastic consumption:

Avoid Single-Use Plastics

Every plastic item eventually breaks down, regardless of whether or not it’s been recycled, producing ever smaller particles of microplastics that make their way into the environment. The best way to prevent that inevitability is by:

• Avoid plastic packaged food items, instead opting for paper, aluminum, package free (think bar soap), biodegradable containers or refillables.

• To-go items, such as plastic knives, forks, spoons, etc. Make sure if you order take-out, mark the tab that allows you to forgo plastic utensils. Better yet, make a more nutritious, less wasteful meal at home!

• Plastic bags are one of the biggest culprits in plastic waste. Used once, then a lifetime in our environment. Always bring a re-usable canvas bag with you that can be used virtually infinitely, and look ultra chic while saving the planet.

Avoid Plastic-Boxed Fresh Vegetables and Fruits

Faced with an endless array of fresh fruit and vegetables, opt for unpackaged items and bring your own re-usable produce bags. Or better yet, enjoy a trip to the farmers market where food is more fresh and packaging is kept at a bare minimum.

Avoid Fast Fashion

Fast fashion refers to inexpensive clothing that is produced quickly and cheaply by mass-market retailers in response to consumer demand for inexpensive, trendy clothes. Fast fashion designs will often steal or copy ideas from independent, well-established artists and brands and use cheap labor to manufacture their goods quickly, selling them at a much lower price.

• Invest in timeless Vintage pieces

• Opt for high quality, well made brands that will last a life time

• Look for sustainable brands and materials

• Shop local

• Buy second-hand

• Opt for ethically made clothing

• Organize a clothing swap

Use Your Own Reusable Water Bottle and Coffee Cup

This simple investment can be one of the most important tools in combatting plastic waste and cannot be overstated. Using reusable water bottles limits the purchase of plastic. Although making your coffee at home is the utmost in sustainable caffeine intake, sometimes an afternoon java break is necessary. Many cafes and coffee shops across the world will fill up your own coffee cup and often at a discount.

Change the Way You Do Your Laundry

Instead of using plastic jugs of laundry detergent, try instead the variety of plastic free options such as Blueland tablets, Tru Earth laundry strips, or laundry detergent from refillable stations in your community. And, as the vast majority of microplastic from laundry are released during the drying phase, choose instead to air dry as many items as possible. Ask your nonni, they always know best.

Support Local Environmental Sustainability Policies

Getting involved in your community whether it be through voting for eco-friendly candidates or joining your community CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is one of the most important ways to contribute to leadership and action toward planet saving policies. Here are some great ways you can get involved:

• Let Your Voice be Heard by Local Government Officials. Email or call your districts officials and let them know you need them to support eco friendly policies.

• Join a Local Environmentally Minded Meetup Group.

• Local Colleges and Universities are great places to find student-led organizations that are leading the way to a greener future.

• Attend Events at Your Local Community Garden, such as composting, trash clean ups or planting trees. Most every community will have a garden, but if not, here’s your change to start one and show off your green thumb.

In conclusion, RYSERS, as we celebrate Earth Month, let's embrace the challenge and commitment to protect our planet. This Earth Day heralds a pivotal moment for collective action against plastic pollution, underlining the urgent call for reducing plastic production and shifting towards sustainable practices. Together, we can forge a path to a healthier planet and future, proving that our united efforts can indeed turn the tide against the plastic crisis. Let's make this April a turning point for environmental stewardship, ensuring a plastic-free world for generations to come! Let’s RYSIT together!