Where Does the Plastic Go?
Before some of your favorite shows come on the television set there is a common warning: “Some viewers may be offended,” or “Not suitable for young audiences.” The responsibility for enlightened choice is that of the viewer.
We could say the same for the wonderful invention of plastic packaging. With this invention, we have been able to eat the world’s flavorful offerings all year round, safely package our pills and scissors, and provide suitable packaging for your laundry detergent and the yogurt you have with your cereal in the morning. But it comes with a price: and without responsible choices, and your personal commitment to the planet at large, that price could be hazardous to your health, the lives of every generation to come.
What you can do is important!
- YOU can recycle. Take the time to separate your trash and be sure those items marked for recycling make it to the appropriate bin.
- IF your community does not have a recycle program – let your elected officials know it matters to you, and you are demanding it matter to them.
- Educate yourself as to which plastics are the best for you to buy, and refuse to buy products that are not within the standards for recycling.
- Reuse – find ways yourself to reuse your plastic packages.
- Let the manufactures know by email or letter or phone that when they used twice as much, or even 4 times the packaging they needed for a very small item, that decision of theirs hampered your decision to purchase their product.
(You might say, wait! Don’t you guys make money when they use lots of extra plastic? Yes we do. Still, make the call!)
- Be the one to start an expanded recycling program in your community.
- Watch the video – but don’t just watch, pass it along!