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Earth Day 2018:
Ending Plastic Pollution
By Jordan Johnson
What do hippies, housewives, and politicians all have in common? The initial
desire to uplift the environment, which ultimately birthed Earth Day.
Former U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day after witnessing the
effects of an oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. With at least 21,000 gallons of
crude oil running through the Southern California Waters, Nelson was compelled to
do something.
April 22, 1970 became the official “national teach-in on the environment”
day, with over 22 million supporters actively engaged in protests, rallies, and
demonstrations to promote protecting the environment. Today, this number
has reached roughly a billion active participants engaged in about 182 countries
worldwide. As numbers continue to rise, the engagement increases with nearly 5,000
environmental advocacy groups registered worldwide to make a difference.
The global theme for Earth Day 2018 is “Ending Plastic Pollution.” From polluting
our waterways like the Chattahoochee River to filling up our landfills and littering our
streets, the exponential growth of plastics threatens the very survival of our planet. A
few disturbing facts to consider:
■ There are 6.3 billion tons of plastic waste on Earth.
■ 300 million tons of plastic is produced each year, and half of it is used only once.
■ The average American throws away approximately 185 pounds of plastic
per year (Eco Watch)
■ 31 million tons of plastic waste was generated in the US during 2010,
accounting for 12.4 percent of total municipal solid waste. In I960 plastics
represented less than one percent of the waste stream in the United States.
(Oceana)
■ In 2014, the U.S. sold overlOO billion plastic beverage bottles, the Container
Recycling Institute estimated; 57 percent of them were for water. (PowerUp)
Every year, the Mayor’s
Office of Resilience coordinates
the City’s Earth Day events,
culminating in an employee
day of service. The Mayor’s
Office will participate in week-
long events from of April 16-
20. The events entail a wide
range of advocacy efforts from
paper shredding to recycling
gently used and worn clothing.
Atlanta is doing its part to
tackle the plastic pollution crisis. In January 2017, the Recycling Partnership teamed
up with the Mayor’s Office of Resilience, Atlanta Department of Public works, and
a local private firm, Rubicon Global, to pilot the “Feet on the Street” program to
tackle contamination in the residential recycling stream.
In November 2017 the City of Atlanta also launched the Big Belly Recycling
Program. Big Belly deploys waste and recycling bins in public spaces that keep
communities clean, advance environmental goals, and host smart technology.
Atlanta remains dedicated to finding solutions that make sense for our economy
and environment. The recycling program continues to provide a curbside, single
stream recycling program for our residents, and currently accepts all forms of
recyclable material (household paper, cardboard, glass, cans, and plastics).
As Earth Day approaches we encourage all Atlantans to get involved with a local
project, organization, or agency to help improve our environment and communities.
■ Carry a reusable water bottle to work or school and reduce the billions of
plastic bottles that are wasted each year.
■ Only shop with reusable bags when going to the store. Did you know
that Whole Foods Market gives 10 cents per bag to customers who re-use their
own shopping bags for their purchased groceries? Customers have the choice to
accept their cash refund, or donate the cash back to the store’s chosen non-profit
organization, or to the Whole Planet Foundation.
■ Tweet us your Earth Day photos @Atlresilience or share with us on Facebook
facebook. com/ATLResilience.
FFappy Birthday, Earth!
June Jordan is the Communications Manager for the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Ojfice of
Resilience. m
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All aboard for a
train ride with Thomas
and so much more!
(Cliaffaiuunw Eimca 3Frec Jlrcss
April 28, 29, May 5, 6, & 12
Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
www.tvrail.com • 423.894.8028
Chattanooga, TN
FOR TICKETS:
Visit ticketweb.com/dowt
or call 866-468-7630
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AtlantalNtownPaper.com
April 2018 | INtOWn 7