Skip the Stuff Plastic Plastics Pollution Learn about the impact of plastics pollution and learn about the ways in which you can reduce your use of single use plastic

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LVWCC

“TAKE A PASS ON PLASTICS”

Change the way you think about and use single-use plastic

Our mission is to reduce single-use plastics waste among residents, businesses and organizations in Collier County through education and advocacy.

WHY PLASTICS ARE SUCH A PROBLEM

Plastics waste is huge, growing, and rarely recycled The US produces over 40 million metric tons of plastic waste annually. Only 9% of the plastic ever produced anywhere in the world has been recycled. In the U.S., about 85% went to landfills, and 16% was incinerated. Image source: U.S Environmental Protection Agency

Plastics do not biodegrade and can take hundreds of years to decompose into small particles call microplastics. As a result, plastic waste accumulates. The Great Plastic Garbage Patch in the Pacific Ocean is twice as large as the size of Texas. Image source: World Wildlife Fund

Plastic harms our wildlife. Plastic harms our wildlife. Hundreds of birds, manatees, and turtles off Florida's coasts have swallowed or become entangled in plastic litter, which can be life threatening. Plastics eaten by fish and shellfish may find their way up the food chain and eventually be eaten by people.

Plastics may harm our health. Microplastics contaminate our air, food and drinking water. Studies have found microplastics in breast milk, placentas and other human tissue. Although more research is needed, existing evidence raises many concerns that microplastics may be harmful. Microplastics

Global plastic production continues to grow.

Global production accelerated in the mid-1970’s and today is over 400 million tons annually. By 2060, plastic waste is projected to triple. Single-use plastic packaging creates more waste than any other sector of plastic production.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

FOLLOW THE 4 Rs

REFUSE disposable plastic whenever possible
REDUCE disposable plastic you use; instead find alternatives
REUSE durable bottles, bags, containers and other everyday items
RECYCLE what you can’t refuse, reduce or reuse

TAKE THE LWVCC “PASS ON PLASTICS PLEDGE"

Use a reusable water bottle and coffee mug
Use your own grocery and produce bags for shopping
Use ground coffee, not plastic pods
Use non-plastic food wrap
Use bar soap
Use cleaning products that don't come in plastic bottles
Say “no” to straws, cutlery and packets of condiments

Alternatives to Plastic

City of Naples Recycling Guidelines

Collier County Recycling Guidelines

CONTACT US

The LWVCC offers an extensively-researched presentation “Take a Pass on Plastics: Why we should reduce our single-use plastic waste.” Plastic is everywhere—permeating our environment, our food chains and our bodies. How did this happen, what are the implications, and what can we do? To book a speaker, get more information or learn how to get involved, contact us at plastics@lwvcolliercounty.org.

Information and How to Get Involved Contact the LWVCC Plastics Task Force at plastics@lwvcolliercounty.org .

RESOURCES TO LEARN MORE

Additional Important Topics

Compostable Pastics and BIoplastics — Are they really green?

Extended Producer Responsibility — Shifting financial responsibility of plastic waste management from governments to producers

Chemical Recycling — Is this a good alternative to traditional recycling?

Informative Websites

Plastic Free July
Ocean Consdervancy
Oceana
World Wildlife Fund
Plastics Pollution Coalition
Global Commitment 2022 - Ellen MacArthur Foundation

About Us

Resources

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Take Action

Global plastic production continues to grow.

FOLLOW THE 4 Rs

Additional Important Topics

Informative Websites