I have recently completed an environmental action fellowship at Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. The fellowship lasted roughly eight weeks, I spent most of my time researching the issue of single-use plastics. It worries me so deeply that as the global population has been growing, the production and use of single-use plastics have been accelerating tremendously.

Single-use plastics are most commonly used for packaging and service, such as bottles, wrappers, straws, bags, etc.

Despite the ease and convenience of single-use plastics, their use has significant negative ecological impacts. For instance, when oceans, rivers, and lakes are polluted with plastics fish, seabirds, sea turtles, and marine mammals can become entangled in or ingest plastic debris.

When animals consume plastics, they are unable to digest them, and can block airways, or fill their stomachs, resulting in starvation.

Similarly, microplastics can affect various human systems, including the digestive, respiratory, endocrine, reproductive, and immune systems. First, the digestive systems are affected when microplastics are ingested, and physical irritation to the gastrointestinal tract may eventually cause inflammation, resulting in various gastrointestinal symptoms.

There are small habits we can develop and practice that help to reduce plastic pollution and keep the environment clean and sustainable: reduce the use of disposable shopping bags by using reusable bags, avoid single-use cutlery and straws, opt for glass or stainless steel reusable containers, buy in bulk and avoid packaging when possible.

Always and forever remember: “Just because plastic is disposable doesn’t mean it just goes away. After all, where is away? There is no away” - Jeb Berrie.