The final straw
Small plastic trash continues to be a big environmental problem on land and sea around the globe. Almost daily, we are presented with the devastating impact of plastic. The material is contaminating the planet - clogging landfills, littering the landscape and choking marine life.
But there is hope – from lofty promises by heads of state, to small but impressive victories by ordinary citizens and environmentally-sensitive businesses, to a new mutant plastic-eating enzyme that developed naturally.
This week, British Prime Minister Theresa May urged leaders at the Commonwealth meeting in London to follow the UK’s lead in tackling the problem. She said plastic waste is one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world. The government is taking its cue from the Queen who announced earlier this year a ban on plastic straws and bottles on royal estates.
The summit of prime ministers and presidents from 53 states can certainly have a world-wide impact. Kenya, which has adopted the toughest measures of all Commonwealth countries, fines anyone using a plastic bag and if business people are caught importing them, they face up to four years in jail.
The problem of plastics cannot be overstated. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch floating between Hawaii and California is far larger and threatening to the planet than anyone realized. The collection of plastic, floating trash has grown to more than 600,000 square miles. There may be more than 16 times as much plastic in the patch than previous studies estimated.
Atlantic Canadians don’t have to look to the Pacific Ocean or royal estates for warning signs. Beach cleanups routinely find that most common debris on shorelines are plastic - bottles, caps, bags, rope and straws. Marine life, such as the right whale, cannot escape this constant threat. Take a look around as the snow recedes and the blight of plastic pollution is visible everywhere.
Our problem with plastic was mostly solved by selling and shipping it to China. But as of Jan.1, China no longer imports the plastic we had shipped there for decades. It’s caused massive headaches around Atlantic Canada, especially in Halifax, and for the region’s landfills. What do we do now?
Former finance minister Allen Roach introduced legislation this week that could see P.E.I. become the first province to eliminate plastic checkout bags from stores. In January, Nova Scotia environment minister Iain Rankin said the government is considering a province-wide ban on plastic shopping bags while Halifax council is examining a ban within the municipality.
More shoppers are bringing reusable bags to retail checkout areas. The threat of plastic is changing our minds and our shopping habits. Restaurant groups across the nation are eliminating the use of plastic straws. A major Atlantic grocery chain has recently dropped its line of heavy plastic bags to lighter shopping bags.
The public doesn’t need much convincing on this issue and many Atlantic Canadians are on board with measures to protect our environment and reduce stockpiles of plastic.
And let’s hope those mutant enzymes stop eating at plastics.