Plastic Pollution Archives

Packing It Out: Learning More About “Leave No Trace”

by OPL | Mar 2, 2023 | Protect the Planet

The Leave No Trace (LNT) principle brings attention to the conservation, preservation, and protection of our parks and ecosystems.

The Leave No Trace (LNT) idea dates back to the 18th century and has increased in popularity in recent years as we have become more aware of the impending climate disaster Earth is facing.

Since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, many have found solace in heading outside to release stress and anxiety and find joy in nature and recreation. It’s a wonderful feeling to experience the natural world around you: crisp air, beautiful vistas, and the quiet humming of wildlife as you embark on your outdoor adventure. Excursions are great for your physical and mental well-being – an opportunity to reflect and be mindful of the planet that sustains you.

But the peace and wonder you feel can quickly be interrupted by the sight of trash along your path. Your mind may begin racing with questions about how the rubbish came to be abandoned. You may feel frustrated with how humans treat our planet or concerned about the short- and long-term consequences litter will have on our ecosystem.

Refuse Decomposition: A Sobering Reality

Litter decomposes differently depending on the material. Below are a few examples of commonly-abandoned trash and how long they will linger:

Glass, Styrofoam, and tin foil never decompose.
Plastic can take two to one million years to decompose, depending on its composition.
Aluminum cans take 80 to 100 years to disintegrate.
Conventional chewing gum – the world’s second most common form of litter – is not biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to decompose due to the synthetic plastic polymers used in its creation.
Animal poop in a knotted bag can take ten to twenty years to decompose.
Paper products will disintegrate in two to six weeks.
Fruit and their skins will decompose from six months to two years.
Rubber tires in a landfill will decompose within fifty to eighty years.

FUN FACT:

You can find gum that is better for the environment and made with natural ingredients, similar to what the ancient Mayans made from chicle, a form of rubber that is biodegradable and can disintegrate in two weeks.

There is a way you can help, and it starts with awareness of the Leave No Trace principle.

Take Only Pictures, Leave Only Footprints. There are seven main tenants of the Leave No Trace principle:

Plan ahead and prepare. Before you go on an excursion, consider what you need to protect yourself and the place you are visiting. For tips, check out our OPL blogs about Planning for a Successful Outdoor Adventure. What to Wear and What to Pack.
- Select clothing and gear to protect yourself from outdoor elements.
- Avoid traveling alone, as unexpected things can happen.
- Always leave a message with a family member or friend about your outdoor plan, the time you plan to return, and what to do if you do not return as scheduled.
- Carry a lightweight, waterproof tarp or emergency blanket to use as an emergency shelter.
- Carry extra food and water. Trail food such as nuts, dried fruit, dark chocolate, hard salami, and hard cheese cubes are good options to take with you on an excursion.
- Do not take any unnecessary risks, especially if the weather turns foul, daylight is nearing an end, or you or someone in your party becomes ill.
- If you think that you are lost, stay where you are and try to remain calm. Only continue traveling once you know where you are.
- Three of anything (shouts, whistles, flashes of light, etc.) is a standard distress signal. Only use these in emergencies.
Travel and camp on durable surfaces. Stay on marked trails to prevent unnecessary scarring of the landscape and avoid damaging vegetation, organisms, and waterways.
If camping, choose a surface that is durable.
Dispose of waste properly. Ensure that any waste you generate is carried with you (also referred to as “packing it out”) and deposited in a waste receptacle at the end of your hike.
Leave what you find. Enjoy the wildflowers, plants, fungi, and trees but do not collect them without permission.
Minimize campfire impact. Become familiar with fire safety and containment, and ensure that fires are never left unattended.
Respect wildlife. Quietly view wildlife and birdwatch without disturbing them. You can use the eBird app to help you identify them and help scientists track the habits of these animals. Never feed wildlife.
Be considerate of others. Refrain from shouting or making loud noises on the trail. Make space for other groups to pass if your party stops to take a break.

As individuals, we can be a part of the Leave No Trace solution by showing respect and care for nature and seeking to educate others on the harmful effects that rubbish has on our health, wildlife, and our environment.

At One Planet Life, we share our adventurous journeys on the OPL app, and use our knowledge to inspire, educate, and create energy for your own joyful experiences. We would love for you to share your venture with us.

Why is Plastic a Problem?

by OPL | Jul 28, 2021 | People and Planet First, Protect the Planet, Quality of Life

The answer to the question, why is plastic a problem, is simple: The world has become a plastic dumping ground. Plastic is pervasive such that we hardly pay attention. We do this to the detriment of our planet and our lives. By 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. Plastic is in marine and wildlife around the world. It is also in us.

There are so many great uses for plastic, but we are addicted – especially to single-use plastic. How did this happen?

Plastic was invented in 1907. Single-use plastics started in 1959 with the creation of the plastic bag. Then came the creation of the plastic bottle (for water and soda) in 1973. The convenience plastic afforded, plus lower production and shipping costs increased company profits. Companies could create products with no responsibility for the waste. Today our single-use plastic stats are astonishing and growing. The ‘use and toss’ plastic habit is rampant.

The world produces over 380 million tons of plastic per year! Of this, 50% is for single-use plastic.

500 billion plastic water bottles a year (> 1 million a day)
500 billion plastic cups per year
500 million straws per year
Plus an incredible amount of plastic packing waste

By now, you may be thinking, this is not a problem as you recycle plastic. Well, not true. Less than 10% of plastic is recycled.

Why isn’t plastic recycled? We created a product that does not decompose or regenerate. Plastic is created from petroleum. During the production process, CO2 is released into the air. Chemicals are added to produce products for wonderful uses, such as medical devices and wasteful single-use products. Remember that 50% of the plastic created is used for single-use products and tossed away in minutes. After use, those single-use plastic products head to landfills and into waterways. In landfills, a small amount of plastic is incinerated, emitting chemicals into the atmosphere. Most of the plastic remains in the landfill forever.

Every plastic toothbrush you have ever used is still here.

But what about those recycle labels on plastic?

It is easy to be confused as the label on plastic looks like a recycle symbol with a number. This symbol indicates the type of plastic. Only categories 1 and 2 are candidates for recycling. Of the plastic in categories 1 and 2, only 29-30% gets recycled while others cannot be recycled. While you put plastics into the blue recycling bin, over 90% still goes to the landfill.

We are creating an overwhelming amount of plastic waste.

Our oceans are getting clogged with single-use plastic products and also microplastics. Plastics don’t break down, they break up into small pieces called microplastics. In the last 60 years, our use of plastic has resulted in microplastics just about everywhere. Microplastics end up in the waterways, are eaten by wildlife, and have made it inside our bodies. At this time, we do not know the effects of long-term exposure to plastics and the chemicals used in processing them.

These stats tell a sobering story about plastic pollution:

13.9 million tons of plastic are going into our oceans every year (#1)
More than a garbage truckload of plastic goes into our ocean every minute (#2)
It’s estimated that over 165 million tons of plastic are in the oceans (#1)
90 percent of seabirds are likely to have plastic in their guts (#1)
Humans eat over 40 pounds of plastic in a lifetime (#2)
Plastic microfibers from washing our clothes are going into our waterways.
There will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050 (#1)

We need to take action and reduce our plastic usage to protect our oceans, our wildlife, and people.

While we need to look for more ways to recycle and to remove as much plastic as possible from our oceans, it is not enough. No waste and recycling system in the world can handle the plastic waste we are creating.

What can you do?

People around the world are reducing their plastic usage. One good source is the book, How to Give Up Plastic by Will McCallum. We firmly agree with McCallum that, “Every victory against plastic begins with a single person or small group.” Now we know that plastic is choking our planet and harming our lives. It makes sense to take action. People are going plastic-free.

Begin with small changes to reduce your plastic footprint. Then move on to refusing plastic whenever possible. Start by buying and using reusable items. Support cities and local communities banning single-use plastic. Tell everyone you know what you now know and ask them to join in.

No change is too small. Here are two joyful changes that make a measurable difference.

The average American uses 365 plastic bags per year. Make the change to reusable bags.
The average American uses 13 plastic bottles per month. Make the change to a reusable water bottle.

Making just these two joyful changes will reduce plastic by 365 bags and 156 water bottles a year! Imagine how that reduction adds up as more people like you make the same habit change.

Individual actions make a difference. Everything starts small and grows into a wave that makes a difference. Our wonderful planet and our lives are worth it. Join the people around the world in reducing plastic. Please share your plastic-free stories with us!

#plasticfreejuly #breakfreefromplastic @one_planet_life

Sources:

#1 How to Give Up Plastic By Will McCallum
#2 plasticoceans.org
#3 breakfreefromplastic.org
#4 nationalgeographic.org/article/whopping-91-percent-plastic-isnt-recycled/