By Greta Bergeron, Volunteer with the Environmental Task Force
Did you know that worldwide, human beings use 5 trillion plastic bags per year? Plastic bags do not break down in the environment. They break up instead, into microplastics and nanoplastic particles that penetrate every corner of the environment and contaminate water, food, and soil. They’ve even been found in the human body. Although many recycle their plastic bags, recycling is not the answer as it is an energy intensive solution that utilizes natural resources and is only available in some communities.
To combat single-use plastic, the Environmental Task Force has created a Plastic-Free Eau Claire team focused exclusively on the single-use plastic issue.
Early this year, Plastic-Free Eau Claire partnered with the Eau Claire Marathon to implement strategies to reduce single-use plastics over the marathon weekend. The event saw a reduction in waste by minimizing plastic water bottles, less printed handouts, having recycling and composting stations with Environmental Task Force volunteers and collecting energy gel packets for recycling. The ETF Plastic-Free EC team looks forward to working with the EC Marathon Board next year to uncover more ways to reduce their environmental impact.
This summer, Plastic-Free Eau Claire will be tabling by the downtown farmer’s market to inform shoppers about the environmental impacts of single use plastics and what individuals can do to reduce waste. One easy habit for individuals to adopt is to eliminate plastic bags by using reusable cloth bags. Plastic-Free EC volunteers will be handing out donated reusable bags.
You can be a part of this event by donating bags or working at the table. To donate cloth bags, please bring them to a drop off location so they can continue building a collection of free bags. Some Interfaith Green Teams have set up drop off bins at their congregations or you can also drop off bags at Riverflow Refillery (207 N Barstow St, Eau Claire) or at The Juggery (128 W River St, Chippewa Falls) during their store hours. If you would like to volunteer and be a part of the Plastic-Free EC outreach team, contact etf.jonah@gmail.com for more information.
Nearly 300 individuals have said “no” to single-use plastics such as straws, disposable water bottles, etc by taking the Plastic Free EC pledge. Interested? Take the pledge!