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LVWCC

“TAKE A PASS ON PLASTICS”

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

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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 production chartGlobal 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.
Plastic Atlas, Asia Edition 2021/Plastic Soup Foundation

Single use plastic packaging graphSingle-use plastic packaging is the largest sector of plastic production

at 36%. Packaging is used once and thrown away creating more plastic waste than any other sector.
Source: Adapted from “Production, use and fate of all plastics ever made,” Geyer, Jambeck, and Law, 2017 .

 
GAO landfill burn recycle graphPlastics 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. Source: EPA 2018

Recycling - Does It Work?
Plastics pollution lifecycle graphicPlastics 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. Source: World Wildlife Fund

Finger tip with plastic dustMicroplastics plastics are everywhere—from the highest mountain tops to the deepest trenches in our oceans, in our air, water and soil. We eat, drink, and breathe them. They enter our food chains and leach from food packaging and containers. More worrisome, they are in our bodies.

Everything You Should Know About Microplastics

Turtle in netPlastic 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.

Plastic's Impact on Oceans and Marine Life



Human affected by microplasticsHuman health may be impacted by microplastics and chemicals in plastics. Microplastics have been found in the human liver, kidneys and brain. Even more concerning - in breast milk and placentas. The health impact is still being researched. Unregulated toxic chemicals have been correlated to diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, obesity, as well as lower IQ and diminished cognitive development in children. Image: MDLifespan

Plastic's Impact on Human Health

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

“I CaThumb upn Do it!! Yes, I Can!!”



  • Bring a reusable bag for shopping
  • Try mesh bags for veggies – they’re washable!
  • Use a reusable water bottle or coffee mug
  • Make coffee from grounds – pass on the pods
  • Use powdered laundry and dishwasher detergent
  • Use a soap or shampoo bar instead of a bottled brand
  • Refuse plastic utensils and straws from take out
  • Use glass containers for kitchen storage
  • Ditch the plastic wrap and use silicone tops
SPREAD THE WORD



Alternatives to Plastics

City of Naples Recycling Guidelines

Collier County Recycling Guidelines

Watch Our “Take a Pass on Plastics” Video



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

Are Compostable and Bioplastics the Answer?
Florida Legislation

Informative Websites


Plastic Free Florida
UN Environment Programme Committee on Plastic Pollution 
Oceana
Ocean Conservancy
World Wildlife Fund Plastic Initiatives
Plastics Wars (full documentary) Frontline - l hour
Upstream Solutions