Message from Councilwoman Elizabeth Stamler | August 2, 2024

I hope you have been enjoying the weekly Scotch Plains Messenger this summer from wherever you may be. And I also hope you have noticed the many ads in the newsletter from the Scotch Plains Green Team, raising awareness about plastic pollution.

Throughout last month, the Green Team highlighted “Plastic Free July,” urging us all to use reusable water bottles and straws and embracing plastic-free options when we shop at the store. 

The Green Team also suggested we put our ice cream in cones, rather than cups, to fight litter, as well as go on plastic-free picnics and make sure to use reusable bags – rather than those flimsy single-use ones – whenever we can.

While these are all small measures, they collectively make a huge difference when it comes to fighting plastic pollution. In fact, the Plastic Free July movement – coordinated through the Plastic Free Foundation - has inspired more than 100 million participants in 190 countries, with so many people taking little steps that collectively make a massive difference.

The campaign spreads important education about plastic. Derived from petroleum, plastic products are incredibly durable, but this longevity turns into a problem when discarded. Over time, plastic breaks down into microplastics, infiltrating our ecosystems.

Marine life is particularly vulnerable. Animals mistake plastic debris for food, leading to injury and death. Our landfills overflow with plastic waste, contaminating soil and groundwater. The production of plastic also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change.

At the United Nations global plastics treaty negotiations in Nairobi in 2023, the issue of plastic pollution was described as “an existential threat to life, to humanity, and everything in between.” 

It was noted the amount of plastic entering our oceans each year is set to triple by 2040. Globally only 9% of plastic waste is recycled. To end this environmental concern, we must all shift our behaviors away from plastic.

As the council’s liaison to the Scotch Plains Green Team, it is my hope that the actions of this volunteer group taken to reduce plastic waste can form new habits throughout this summer and throughout the year.

According to the Plastic Free Foundation, the Plastic Free July campaign – launched in 2011 in Western Australia – has helped the global community avoid more than 1.3 billion kilograms of single-used plastic over the past five years.

This success shows the world is concerned, and grassroots efforts like we are seeing in Scotch Plains is part of a groundswell of community change that is making a difference.  The Green Team is a tremendous asset, from sharing important green tips in the Messenger, to taking on projects, such as collecting thin film plastics that were turned into Trex benches.

Locally, let’s commit to opting for reusable bags, water bottles and coffee cups wherever possible. We can avoid plastic straws and cutlery, choose products with minimal packaging and buy in bulk when possible. 

We should recycle diligently, but remember, recycling isn't a magic solution. The best approach is to reduce consumption overall. And please, support local businesses in Scotch Plains committed to sustainability and spreading awareness about the issue. 

Every action counts in combating this growing issue of plastic pollution. I am grateful to our Green Team for making this important issue so prominent this summer.