Blog Post by Christy Brooks, Sierra Club Illinois Volunteer
This Earth Month, Sierra Club is calling on environmental enthusiasts and activists across the country to take a stand for the planet through local art rallies and more. While systemic change is paramount for a livable future for all, Sierra Club’s message is resoundingly clear: Everyone can make a difference.
The Plastics Team of the Woods & Wetlands Group of Sierra Club Illinois is one such example of the power of community. Over the last few months, the team has launched several grassroots initiatives to combat single-use plastic across northeastern Illinois and beyond.
Plastics are threatening our environment and health in ways that are often not widely known to the public, and the issues surrounding plastics recycling are not well understood. Less than 10% of plastics are recycled in the US and more than 75% end up in landfills, leaching into groundwater and poisoning our food chain. In fact, you might be ingesting a credit card worth of microplastic every week!
The Plastics Team is tackling this problem through the following tactics:
Harnessing the Power of Social Media
The team’s education working group compiled dozens of tips on how individuals can reduce single-use plastic in their everyday lives, including everything from the obvious, like bringing your own reusable shopping bags to the store, to lesser known best practices such as opting for natural fibers when buying clothes instead of synthetic fibers which contain plastic. Volunteers regularly post these tips on the Woods and Wetlands Group’s Facebook page and encourage readers to repost them on their own page and other social media forums. You can follow the group on Facebook here: facebook.com/SCWoodsandWetlands.
Educating the Public
The education working group is also laying the groundwork to offer presentations at libraries, community centers and schools, as well as private groups such as clubs and faith communities. They are assembling a bank of slides to customize presentations for groups of all ages and interests. The presentations cover research and data about the dangers of plastic, as well as ideas to help individuals and communities reduce their single-use plastic consumption.
Urging Restaurants to Pass on Plastic
Additionally, Plastics Team volunteers are hitting the streets in their communities to encourage local restaurants to curb plastic use. Specifically, they’re urging restaurant owners to make plastic cutlery, straws and condiment packets available by request only. This is a win-win proposition for restaurants, as they can save money while helping the environment. One restaurant chain reduced its use of plastic cutlery by 88% after adopting this change!
The Plastics Team provides everything volunteers need to get started, including online training, e-tools to facilitate restaurant visits, and a leave-behind flyer. Volunteers across Illinois are invited to join this effort.
Do you want to help reduce single-use plastics in your community? Join the Plastics Team! To volunteer or learn more, contact Sharon Starr at scwwprojects@gmail.com.