Let’s Talk About Plastic MKE

12/14/2021

“Coastal marine species carried out to sea on debris are not only surviving, they’re colonizing the high seas and making new communities on the floating plastic detritus that make up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.“

Coastal marine species carried out to sea on debris are not only surviving, they’re colonizing the high seas and making new communities on the floating plastic

12/01/2021

Has anyone in this group used biodegradable plastic items before? What were they? Let us know in the comments!

11/30/2021

Do you really need to put your 🍎 🍏 in a plastic bag? There are plenty of reusable produce bags on the market that are a great alternative to single-use plastic!

11/28/2021

“A peer-reviewed study published in 2017 estimated between 1.27 million and 2.66 million tons of plastic waste flows into oceans via rivers every year. Another study, published in April, put that estimation between 880,000 and 3 million tons.”

A half-mile long trash-trapping system named "Jenny" hauled in more than 63,000 pounds of waste from the so-called Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

11/21/2021

Did you know that 745,600 tons of plastic ended up in Wisconsin landfills in 2020? This infographic from Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources shows the urgent need to increase recycling. You can check it out here:

https://dnr.wi.gov/files/pdf/pubs/wa/wa1920.pdf

11/20/2021

Did you know you could recycle your plastic grocery bag?

This survey from a UWGB student asks you to anonymously answer some questions about your recycling habits for plastic films (plastic bags, cling wrap, and other thin plastics). They can often be recycled at your favorite grocery store, and have a high rate of actually being recycled if they make it to the right collection point!

Consider taking the survey to reflect on your plastic film recycling habits, or learn more about recycling these materials here: https://city.milwaukee.gov/Recycle/What-Can-I-Recycle/Disposal--Recycling-Guide/Plastic-Bags

This brief survey will cover recycling habits for plastic shopping bags and plastic film. Examples of plastic film include bread bags, Ziploc bags, product overwrap (i.e. toilet paper wrappers, water bottle cases), bubble wrap, and air pillows.

11/19/2021

Many universities are banning the sale of water bottles on campus in an effort to reduce single-use plastic. At Washington University in St. Louis, the policy has been a big success, reducing bottled beverage sales by 39%.

Sales of bottled beverages at Washington University in St. Louis have plummeted 39 percent since 2009, when the university became the first in the nation to ban the sale of plastic single-use water bottles. The school initiated the ban as part of its comprehensive efforts to reduce its environmental...

11/18/2021

I don’t drink my water from single-use plastic - neither should humans! 🙀

11/16/2021

Say no to vending machines and bring a reusable water bottle to campus instead! There are plenty of bubblers and filling stations on campus where you can fill up your water bottle

https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/sustainability/

11/12/2021

Did you know that plastic bags can’t be banned in Milwaukee because of Wisconsin’s Act 302? It prevents local government from regulating ”the use, disposition, or sale of auxiliary containers.”

Is is it time to overturn this Act? Tell us what you think!

Relating to: local regulation of certain containers.

11/10/2021

Can you make a difference in your plastic use?

Can you make the difference about plastic?