July 1 - July 31, 2024
Plastic Free NOLA Feed
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Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.
To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?
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Stephanie Steppie Royes 7/31/2024 8:34 AMWe will not create a world without plastics because it is such a good material. But we can aim for a future without plastic waste and pollution. A globally coordinated approach is vital to this effort.
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Guy Tillis 7/31/2024 3:00 AMToday is the last day of this challenge. Hope everyone did well. I'm so sad to see it end. -
Stephanie Steppie Royes 7/30/2024 10:24 AMWe need to transition to a circular economy that allows us all to reuse, recycle and reduce our plastic footprint. In a circular economy, materials would be effectively recycled and reused to create new products, reducing the impact of waste on the environment. Five years ago, WWF set an ambitious goal to see no new plastic in nature by 2030. And thanks to the efforts of millions of people like you across the world, we’re on track to meet that goal. At home, WWF is advocating for strong policies to tackle the problem of plastic pollution from both federal and state governments such as Extended Producer Responsibility.
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Stephanie Steppie Royes 7/29/2024 10:29 AMUsing recycled plastic to make clothing can help reduce waste and create new products. Some brands that use recycled plastic in their clothing include:Patagonia
One of the first companies to make fleece clothing from recycled plastic bottles
Ecoalf
Uses recycled materials like ocean plastic to create sustainable fashion
Batoko
Makes swimwear from recycled plastic trash that would otherwise end up in landfills or oceans
Mara Hoffman
Uses recycled fibers and organic fabrics to make dresses and swimwearTentree
Uses recycled plastic bottles or manufacturing waste to make recycled polyester, which can reduce CO emissions by up to 75%
Ellie Evans
Uses regenerated nylon, called ECONYL, made from plastic waste like fishing nets, carpet, and industrial plastic
Veja
Uses fabric made from recycled plastic bottles to make sneakers that are breathable, waterproof, and light
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Guy Tillis 7/29/2024 7:38 AMJuly went by quick! I hope everyone had a successful Plastic Free July. -
Stephanie Steppie Royes 7/28/2024 9:49 AMMost coffee shops are happy to fill your personal reusable cup instead of supplying a paper or styrofoam cup that they have to pay for and can’t charge you for. Many coffee shops (at least in the U.S.) will give you a small discount for using your personal cup -
Stephanie Steppie Royes 7/27/2024 12:21 PMLego, the world's largest toy manufacturer, has built a reputation not only for the durability of its bricks, designed to last for decades, but also for its substantial investment in sustainability.The company has pledged US$1.4 billion to reduce carbon emissions by 2025, despite netting annual profits of just over $2 billion in 2022.
This commitment isn't just for show. Lego sees its core customers as children and their parents, and sustainability is fundamentally about ensuring that future generations inherit a planet as hospitable as the one we enjoy today.
So it was surprising when the Financial Times reported on Sept. 25, 2023, that Lego had pulled out of its widely publicized "Bottles to Bricks" initiative.
This ambitious project aimed to replace traditional Lego plastic with a new material made from recycled plastic bottles. However, when Lego assessed the project's environmental impact throughout its supply chain, it found that producing bricks with the recycled plastic would require extra materials and energy to make them durable enough.-
Alyssa Tyree 7/27/2024 2:20 PMI believe if Lego suspended the project, it was for legitimate reasons and not financial ones. I would like to think that they are going to find another way for this to work OR find an alternative. -
Mary Hanks 7/27/2024 12:47 PMI'm sad to learn this, but thank you for providing an explanation of Lego's decision. This highlights how much research we still need to fund to improve the process of plastics recycling.
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Stephanie Steppie Royes 7/26/2024 12:21 PMThe entire lifecycle of disposable cups, from raw material extraction to production and transportation, requires significant energy, contributing to environmental degradation,” Preetam Basu and Thanos Papadopoulos, professors at the Kent School of Business and co-authors of a 2022 report on coffee cup waste, said in an emailed statement. “The slow decomposition of disposable cups, especially those with plastic linings, can lead to the release of microplastics into the environment,” and on the off chance that your disposable cup winds up in waste bound for incineration, that process “can release pollutants into the air -
Stephanie Steppie Royes 7/25/2024 6:29 AMThe introduction of plastic bottles in 1968 made the packaging of larger water volume possible, including 1.5-liter bottles, the most popular size today in many countries. In the late 1960s, Perrier, with its signature small green bottle, further transformed the industry through the use of mass advertising. -
Stephanie Steppie Royes 7/24/2024 1:26 PMHere are some alternatives to balloon releases:
Plant a tree or flowersA symbolic, long-lasting, and eco-friendly memorial that honors a loved one and the environment
Blow bubblesGuests can blow bubbles into the sky in memory of a loved one, creating a peaceful moment
Fly kitesA safe alternative that can create a sky full of color
StreamersReusable and can be more interactive than other decorations
Wildflower seed bombsA great way to remember an event for a long time, as wildflowers provide nectar for wildlife and beauty for people
PompomsAlso known as pompalloons, these don't use helium and don't contain single-use plastic parts
Candlelight vigilsPeople can gather and light candles at the same time to create a sense of unity
Organize a memorial walk or hikeA way to honor someone's memory if they loved the outdoors.