~ Plastic is not fantastic! ~

What are you doing today? Are you participating in an Earth Day gathering? Are you doing something to make the earth happier?

This year the focus is on plastics.

Some plastic facts

• 300,000 tons of plastic are produced every year.
• Half of that amount are intended for single use only.
• 40% of all plastic produced is for packaging.
• 160,000+ plastic bags are used every second. Only 1-3% are recycled.
• The Great Pacific Garbage Patch occupies an area larger that Texas and is mostly plastics.
• Tiny plastic beads from toothpaste and body scrubs have been found in water, animals, and us.
• 35 billion plastic water bottle are thrown away every year in USA.
• Most plastic is made from natural gas. Fracking for this gas causes even more environmental pollution and damage.

So what can we do to make a dent in this plastic problem? 

Are you collecting plastics for recycling? Are you lobbying to eliminate single use plastics? Here are some other ways to eliminate plastic from your life.

• Stop using plastic straws at home and in restaurants.
• Use reusable shopping bags – choose ones made of cloth.
• Give up gum – it’s made from plastic!
• Don’t use disposable razors.
• Bring your own cup or bottle when buying To-Go beverages.
• Bring your own container to restaurants instead of using the Styrofoam take out container.
• Don’t use plastic utensils, carry your own with you.
• Eliminate plastic storage bags by using reusable containers – preferably glass (Tip: Mason jars have metal lids and make great storage contains and come in a wide range of sizes.)
• Buy items in boxes and cans instead of plastic bottles, where possible.

Here is a list of many more great ways to avoid plastic. My Plastic Free Life

Learn More About What To Do About Plastic

Here are some great children’s books

The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle by Alison Inches

This books shows how a plastic bottle is made and what happens to it when it is recycled.

All the Way to the Ocean by Joel Harper  

Two best friends learn about how everything that goes into our storm drains ends up in the ocean.

One Plastic Bag by Miranda Paul

When plastic bag pollution became so bad in her village that the goats were dying from eating them, Isatou Ceesay decided something had to be done. Based on a true story, this book shows how one person can make a difference.

Pesky Plastic by Leticia Colon de Mejias

Discusses the dangers of plastic to sea life and shows ways kids can help.

Related Activity – make a Non-Plastic Shopping Bag

Make your own cloth bag. This is a great activity for a parent to do with a child or a group of upper graders to do as a community service project.  Here are two videos to inspire you.

How to Make a Recycled Tote Bag

How to Make a No Sew Bag from a T-shirt

What is one way you are using less plastic?

Let us know!