Recycle That Plastic!

By John Jones 2010

Our planet is experiencing an increasing number of alarming and distressing calamities. Although all are deserving of international attention, I would like to bring one in particular to our consideration today. I feel that we, as public speakers and leaders right here in Arkansas, can contribute and make a difference in how it ultimately affects our world for generations to come.

It’s been estimated that in our country alone, we use 2.5 million plastic water bottles every single hour; 25 Billion in a year. In one year we use enough plastic water bottles to encircle the earth not once or twice or even a dozen times, but 190 times! Even with the best intentions, consumers end up throwing away seven out of ten plastic water bottles into the trash. That means only three out of ten get recycled.

And what’s the ultimate outcome? You’re probably aware of what’s become known as “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch.” This floating pile of plastic sludge and debris, which some have estimated in size as “larger than the state of Texas” to “larger than the continental United States” sits roughly between Hawaii and California. And now, a second accumulation of debris has recently been discovered on the Atlantic side. Dubbed “The North Atlantic Garbage Patch” it’s of similar size and stature. The Pacific and North Atlantic patches sit in areas of the oceans called gyres, which are areas of relatively little movement surrounded by strong ocean currents. The currents create spinning vortexes and once plastic floats into the area it cannot escape and accumulates over time. There are now thought to be five major oceanic gyres on our planet and it’s believed that all are likely to form large plastic garbage patches.

Plastic in sea water breaks down over a period of time forming smaller and smaller bits of plastic and polymers. The effects spell a fate which is nothing short of heart-wrenching at the least and extinction for many species of sea life at the most. Specifically, the Albatross is a sea-dwelling bird who inhabits the atolls and islands of these gyres. Normally feeding on small fish below the surface of the water, the birds are mistaking the small shiny plastic pieces for their food and what’s more, they’re absentmindedly feeding it to their young. Alarmingly, young birds are increasingly found perished due to malnutrition with items such as bottle caps, plastic lighters, and pieces of plastic bottles and cutlery in their stomachs.

Now ask yourselves two questions. Is this how you want to leave your planet to your children and your grandchildren and what can we do about it?

I’m thinking the answer to the first question would be a resounding “NO!” and the answer to the second, perhaps a bit more complex.

According to sources, even if a world power country such as the United States were to consider such a task, to remove the trash from the areas would prove beyond our resources and means and it’s WAY beyond the point of no return to actually clean the water. So what’s done is done and we have to accept that we’ll not save many species from the peril. However, there is a way to reduce the piles of plastic.

1. We could ALL be better recyclers. There are several recycling resources right here in Arkansas. They’re convenient, and efficient.

2. Buy a refillable water bottle and a water filtration system. Popular models are affordable and easy to use such as a Brita (brand) Filter. One Brita filter can replace up to 300 16 ounce water bottles.

3. Most importantly, teach this information to your kids so that they will become better stewards of the planet. Talk about it to your civic and social groups. If every American household switched to a filtered, re-usable water source, we’d keep more than 200 million pounds of plastic out of our landfills and away from our oceans each year.

Right now, each one of you can make a pledge, if you’re not already doing so, to buy a filter and a re-usable water bottle today. Buy one as a gift for your spouses and families. They’ll love you more for the thoughtfulness and your concern for the environment.

Imagine living in a world where we re-imagine, re-use, & re-cycle our most precious resources. A world in which we leave it a little better than when we got here. It’s got to start somewhere. Why not right here? Right now.