December 26, 2020
Plastic pollution is now recognized as an ever escalating global plague, which will only get worse with increased plastic production, expanded product markets, and human population growth. More and more studies are documenting the environmental harm of trash plastics and degraded micro-plastics in the environment, especially to waterways and and the oceans. Micro-plastics are spread by air currents and rain water, and reach every corner of the planet. Many plastic products are currently difficult to recycle, and frequently passed from first world countries to poorer nations, which are not adequately equipped to properly process them.
A good summary of the many threats posed by plastic pollution, and proposed solutions are described in the linked post below about the "Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020", landmark legislation introduced into the U.S. Congress. This legislation addresses the problem on a number of fronts; it would phase out unnecessary single-use plastic products, hold corporations accountable for wasteful products, reduce wasteful packaging, and reform our broken waste and recycling collection system. Link to the bill's summary:
To effectively confront the global proliferation of waste plastics will require re-thinking plastic uses, plastic production design, and creating a more circular economy. Some efforts have begun in these areas, but the problems are urgent now and need to be addressed in ways that are currently feasible.
Other Efforts to Address the problem:
A Plastic Rebate Plan for Texas?
Texans for Clean Water, a non-profit that has been lobbying to clean Texas waterways, is promoting a Plastic Rebate Plan. This is a variation on a bottle deposit bill, broadened to include a wider array of plastics. This is promoted as a 'free market, no-tax rebate' program. It would add a one cent deposit on certain non-alcoholic drinks and grocery bags. This small charge would cover the collection cost, the recycling fees, enforcement & administrative costs, and the 25¢ rebate per pound of plastic returned.
Texans for Clean Water, Plastic Rebate Plan:
New Jersey recently joined a number of other states in passing legislation to
restrict certain single use plastics. There are now eight states that have banned or restricted single use plastic carry out bags. And many local jurisdictions have adopted various single use plastic foam restrictions.
Environment New Jersey article (Gov. has now signed bill):
Surf Rider website posts a round up of plastic pollution initiatives across the country:
New issues with micro-plastics:
Auto and truck tires generate micro-plastic bits on roadways, which then wash into streams and end up polluting bays and estuaries.
SF Chronicle: Huge amounts of plastic, much of it from car tires, washing into SF Bay, SFEI study finds:
Salmon deaths on west coast linked to tire tread micro-plastics:
San Francisco Bay, Micro-plastics:
For questions or feedback, contact Frank Blake at frankblake@juno.com