Scientists have now found tiny particles of plastic called microplastics in most living organisms, including people. Research has shown that these plastics can cause human health problems. Microplastics have also been discovered in every area on earth, from deep ocean trenches to remote deserts and forests.
Reducing our use of plastics is healthier for us and the animals around us as well as our planet. Recycling plastics ensures that less of it ends up in landfills or elsewhere.
Some ways to limit our own exposure to plastics include using wood, steel or other non-plastic cooking and eating utensils, and avoiding nonstick pots & pans that utilize plastic.
Avoid plastic food packaging, and explore the possibilities of growing your own fruits and vegetables. Carry a compact set of non-plastic utensils. Drink from a glass or steel reusable bottle instead of plastic bottles, which can leach plastic into water when shaken or warm.
To reduce the use of plastics, bring reusable shopping and produce bags to grocery and other stores, carry your own containers for leftovers when you go out to eat, and avoid any single use plastic items by using paper or, better yet, reusable alternatives like utensil sets, metal straws and cloth napkins.
It’s been documented that, unfortunately, only about a third of plastic bottles are recycled, so using your own reusable steel drink container is a great step. Support local farmer’s markets, where produce is often sold without packaging, and look for products sold in glass, paper or easily recycled plastics (#1 and #2.) It’s also great, and economical, to buy bulk foods from bins available at WinCo and other stores.
Recycling plastics helps to reduce the amount of it that goes into landfills or becomes litter. Many of these plastics can go into curbside recycling, while others like plastic bags and other stretchy film can be taken to area supermarkets, clear #1 plastic (like bakery or salad packaging) can go to any New Seasons Market, and screw on caps, plastic utensils and more can be taken to the transfer station for Recology trash service at 2200 NE Orchard Ave. in McMinnville.
A great local resource for information about reducing and recycling plastics and other materials can be found at zerowastemcminnville.com. And the state of Oregon is in the process of making recycling easier, setting up new “RecycleOn” drop off centers for harder to recycle items. Visit the website recycleon.org/oregon/ for more information about the roll out of this program.
Most of us have seen the harm that plastics can cause to wildlife, and the ugliness of its pollution in waterways, parks and neighborhoods. Now, we are learning how much harm it may be causing to our health and that of our loved ones. I hope that these tips may give people in our community ideas of how to combat this abundant and damaging pollutant.
If you would like to learn about more ways to take action, please join one of the meetings of Newberg Sustainable Solutions Group at Newberg First Methodist Church on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm.
