Fossil Fuels => Plastics => Worldwide Impacts

From an Article by Elizabeth Glazner, Plastics Pollution Coalition, March 30, 2016

Jeff Bridges knows that plastic is a substance the Earth cannot digest. Worldwide reliance on disposable plastic packaging and utensils is poisoning our bodies, killing wildlife and overwhelming our planet. Single-use plastic deepens our dependence on fossil fuels, contributing to climate change and further harming our most at-risk communities.

The global problem of unnecessary plastics was demonstrated perfectly when a Whole Foods grocer in California was called out for selling pre-peeled oranges in plastic deli containers—and at $6 a pound. “Orangegate” quickly spread on social media when PPC re-posted a photo of the oranges, which reached more than 1 million people on Facebook. To their credit, Whole Foods responded within two days by pulling the oranges from their shelves and issuing an apology on Twitter.

Still, consumers can find today everything from plastic-wrapped single bananas to individually wrapped jelly beans on store shelves. We hope Bridges’ message in our Open Your Eyes video, which was first released in September 2015 and has been updated for re-release this week, will prompt consumers and retailers to open their eyes and demand reductions in plastic waste.

Bridges, in the following interview, shared his own growing awareness of the plastic pollution problem:

Plastic Pollution Coalition: What motivates your long-standing support of Plastic Pollution Coalition, including lending your voice to our new video?

Jeff Bridges: My father Lloyd Bridges worked on a TV show called Sea Hunt. He impressed upon me as a child the importance of taking care of the ocean and working together to do our part to reduce human pollution. Also, that we are all interconnected and responsible for the oceans around the world.

Plastic Pollution Coalition: What about your own awareness regarding plastic—specifically, when did it begin and why?

Jeff Bridges: It began with Plastic Pollution Coalition turning me onto what a stupid idea plastic drinking water bottles are.

Plastic Pollution Coalition: What changes have you made to reduce your plastic footprint?

Jeff Bridges: Personally, I do my best to drink my water out of metal containers. I use Plastic Pollution Coalition “Rethink” bottles often. My family and I don’t purchase plastic water bottles at the store. We have a water filtration system to fill up our bottles.

Plastic Pollution Coalition: On tour with Chris Pelonis and out with the Abiders? On set?

Jeff Bridges: When I’m working, on sets or stages, my contracts specify in the rider that no plastic bottles be used. When I’m playing with my band, we all use metal and non-plastic containers for drinking to be ecologically sensitive and show others that this is the way to go.

Plastic Pollution Coalition: What are three easy first steps you abide by and recommend for someone wanting to start out on the path toward a life with less single-use plastic?

Jeff Bridges: 1. Get off plastic water bottles. 2. Get into metal or glass bottles. 3. Get a cloth shopping bag.

Plastic Pollution Coalition: Any thoughts or observations that you’d like to share about the issue of plastic pollution, alternatives and solutions?

Jeff Bridges: The way to change the world is through individual responsibility and taking local action in your own community. If everyone around the world did this, it would be the first step in solving the problem.

See also:

These 6 States Want to Ban Plastic Bag Bans (Yes, You Read That Right)

Plastic spoons are fossil energy intensive

San Francisco becomes first major city to ban sale of plastic water bottles

From an Article by Joshua Sabatini, San Francisco Examiner, March 4, 2014

San Francisco became the first major city in the U.S. to ban the sale of plastic water bottles on public property, building on a nationwide effort to curb waste from the billion-dollar industry. The Board of Supervisors voted 11-0 to approve the legislation.

During the next four years, the ban will phase out the sales of plastic water bottles holding 21 ounces or less on city property, indoor or outdoor, which will impact park vendors, food truck operators, street fairs and places like the Moscone Center convention facility. Waivers are permissible if an adequate alternative water source is not available.

“It was not long ago that our world wasn’t addicted to plastic water bottles.” “It wasn’t until the 1990s that the now-$60 billion plastic-bottle water industry experienced an enormous growth based on massive marketing and distribution campaigns.”

The proposal was supported by the Think Outside the Bottle campaign, a nationwide effort that encourages restrictions of the “eco-unfriendly product.”  In San Francisco, Recology collects 10 million to 15 million single-use plastic water bottles a year.

San Francisco’s ban is less strict than the full prohibitions passed in 14 national parks, as well as those by a number of universities and in Concord, Mass.

Joshua Arce, chairman of the Commission on the Environment, said the ban is “another step forward on our zero-waste goal.” The City wants to have no waste going to its landfill by 2020. Its diversion rate now stands at 80 percent. “We had big public events for decades without plastic bottles and we’ll do fine without them again,” Arce said.

Past efforts toward the goal included banning plastic bags and plastic-foam containers. Violators of the plastic bottle ban would face fines of up to $1,000.

The American Beverage Association, which includes Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo, said in a statement that the ban was “nothing more than a solution in search of a problem. This is a misguided attempt by city supervisors to decrease waste in a city of avid recyclers.”

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Montgomery County in Maryland Considering Styrofoam Ban

From the San Francisco Chronicle, September 10, 2014

Washington, DC  —  Lawmakers in Montgomery County in Maryland, which adjoins the District of Columbia,  are proposing legislation that would ban the use of plastic foam food containers.

Councilmember Hans Riemer introduced the bill banning the use of Styrofoam containers in restaurants, supermarkets and institutional cafeterias in the county. Riemer says the containers hurt the environment.

The county already has a Styrofoam ban in place in its cafeterias, and Montgomery schools are phasing out their use of foam food service trays. The proposed legislation would also ban the sale of foam packing “peanuts”.

Montgomery County’s proposed ban is similar to legislation already passed by lawmakers in the District of Columbia. The city’s ban will take effect starting in 2016.