How to Influence Meaningful Change in the Environment
It takes just a few moments after turning on a news station or browsing the internet for current events before one is bombarded with the onslaught of pollution and corruption going on in the world today. With no shortage of this constant negativity, how is it possible to stay motivated to make a difference in the world? Small Changes Make a Big Impact Trying to make a big impact in the world can often seem like an overwhelming undertaking. However, the key to influencing change is really to start small. By focusing on the small changes that individuals can make, there’s more chance for it to spread through local communities and eventually make its way to broader scales. Consider these 10 simple steps that can be taken to help reduce the negative impact on the environment: 1. Refuse single-use items like plastic bags and straws 2. Bring reusable containers for packaging food to go 3. Choose energy safe appliances and turn them off when not in use 4. Collect rainwater to water your garden 5. Plant a variety of local trees, shrubs and flowers to attract more birds and bees 6. Only buy produce that’s in season to avoid transportation costs and fuel 7. Try to avoid purchasing groceries packaged in plastic 8. Walk, bicycle, or use public transportation as much as possible 9. Recycle all products and materials that can be reused 10. Donate used clothing, toys, books and household appliances to local organizations - and don’t replace them with new stuff! Focusing on simple changes that can be made in everyday life not only helps to reduce personal impact on the environment but also serves as an example to friends, family, and local community members. Don’t be afraid to speak up about the need to reduce environmental impacts. While it may seem futile in the midst of current events, speaking out and informing others about the importance for change is how ideas wind up becoming policies that can help the environmental on a grand scale. Get Involved with Local Organizations In addition to making small changes in day-to-day life, another prime way to help make a difference in the world is by getting involved with local environmental organizations that could use volunteers. There are tons of local community organizations that are doing important work in seeking change, but don’t always have the necessary funds to employ more people to spread awareness or enact community programs. When it comes to volunteering, remember that volunteering for one day or one afternoon is unlikely to actually be very helpful, unless there is a large event or emergency that is specifically seeking one-time volunteers. Try to commit to staying involved, even if only once a month, and take responsibility for the time that you commit so that the organization can depend on you. Make it worth the time it takes to train you! It is often through the work of volunteers that these organizations are able to continue making progress toward their overall mission. Volunteers help immensely by tabling and getting signatures on important petitions, answering various community inquiries, calling local policy makers, helping to run local programs, and spreading awareness about the need for environmental change. Take the Reins and Lead the Way If making small changes in everyday life or volunteering with a local organization isn’t producing the change desired, take the reins and strive toward making a difference in your own way. There are many resources available online that outline the steps needed to start your own charity or nonprofit. Read through some guidelines on how to get started as well as different ways to receive funding, and then begin putting in the work to enact the change you want to see in the world. Remember, all change needs to begin somewhere and even the largest changes started with a single individual’s desire to make an impact. I may have written this post with the primary goal of encouraging myself to keep working on taking big and small steps every day. Thanks to all of you in this community who continue to inspire me to make improvements in myself, my community, and the environment each day, and to not lose hope that this work matters.
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I have been rapidly learning more and more about the prevalence of single-use plastic in Thailand, and decided to write about it here because I'm so excited to get involved in a reusable bag project there. BUT I'd like to caveat this post by saying that America has this problem too, and the American lifestyle over the past two centuries has contributed so heavily to environmental destruction around the world that it's almost unfathomable. My goal in this post is not to single out Thailand, to shame them, or to put any blame on their culture, but instead of use it as an eye-opening example of how deeply single-use plastic can be entwined with a culture and how devastating the effects can be... and therefore how much impact can be made when a change is made.
Thailand's Toxic Problem with Single-Use Plastic It’s no secret that Thailand has a plastic problem. Take a walk outside in any province and it won’t be long before encountering plastic littering the pavement, tangled in greenery, or being washed upon the shore. With more consumers becoming aware of the environmental impacts of plastic, as well as the growing focus on green business, where does Thailand measure in the pursuit of more eco-conscious behaviors? Thailand’s Reliance on Single-Use Plastic Plastic use in Thailand has largely become a matter of convenience. From laundry detergent and school supplies to a single pack of gum, items purchased in stores are automatically placed into plastic bags at check-out in order to be carried easily. With how uncommon it is to see paper or reusable tote bags at the cashier’s station, the default becomes to bag purchases in plastic. Even when items are small, there’s almost an expectation of receiving a purchase bagged and handed over to be easily carried away. The convenience factor extends beyond in store purchases. Drinks ordered at restaurants are often served in plastic cups, presumably to reduce time spent washing dishes. When drinks are ordered for take-away, they’re not only provided in a plastic to-go cup, but are often handed over with a plastic carrying strap so that consumers can easily hold their drink with just a finger. In addition to the convenience factor, the cost effectiveness of using plastic is another driving force behind the mass consumption of plastic in Thailand. Plastic bags and styrofoam are the typical materials used for packaging take-away food because their costs are low. Making the shift from the affordability of single-use plastic toward more expensive reusable materials can hinder some of the progress toward becoming a more eco-friendly country as a whole because ultimately cost often outweighs other considerations. Where Does it All Go? Though drastically reducing the amount of single-use plastic produced and used in Thailand is the main solution to addressing the harmful environmental impact, the second best option would be to ensure that plastic waste is properly managed. Of Thailand’s nearly 2500 waste management centers, “only 466 of them manage waste accordingly” (Ocharoenchai). With 1.03 million tons of plastic waste generated per year (Styllis), the amount mismanaged is alarming. By not properly disposing of waste, single-use plastics are simply left to deteriorate over time, negatively impacting the environment in the process. That often means that single-use plastics find their way to the ocean, green spaces, or various streets and communal spaces throughout the country where they leak harmful pollutants into the ground or waters. A popular method of disposing of waste in Thailand is burning the materials outdoors. Though simply burning plastic is a convenient method of disposal that also reduces the eye-sore of seeing it littering the ground, the toxins released from burning plastics are some of the most dangerous emissions to the environment and human health. The Future is Green Despite Thailand’s current state of affairs regarding single-use plastic, the future does hold opportunities for change. Perhaps due in part to much of the media focus on the trash littering the world’s oceans, or the recent death of a whale who washed up on Thailand’s shores filled with more than 80 plastic bags, the government has started to implement changes around the handling of plastic. (Update: after writing this article, a ban prohibiting visitors from “taking plastic carrier bags, foam boxes, cups, and containers into all of Thailand’s 150+ national parks” was enacted in June of this year (Williams) in an effort to curtail the reliance on single-use plastics and other waste.) The move to reduce single-use plastic has extended beyond government practices as well. One of Thailand’s major supermarket chains, Tesco Lotus, created a 'Green Bag Green Point' campaign. For each bag saved, a customer can earn one Green Clubcard point, encouraging customers to opt for a reusable bag or bring their own instead (“Thailand Fights Addiction”). Similarly, the island of Koh Tao is moving toward being plastic free. The first 7-Eleven just rid themselves of plastic bags, and several diving centers, restaurants and other businesses are following suit (van den Berg). If Thailand hopes to decrease its plastic consumption over the next few years, there will need to be more policies with tangible consequences for using plastic, as well as a greater focus on educating the public about the harms of using and disposing of single-use plastic. With more awareness to how problematic plastic waste can truly be, as well a greater appreciation for all that the environment does, Thailand stands a huge chance in changing the climate around single-use plastic. SOURCES Ocharoenchai, Nanticha. “Producer Responsibility: the Key to Solving Thailand’s Plastic Crisis.” Greenpeace, Greenpeace, 14 June 2017, http://www.greenpeace.org/seasia/blog/producer-responsibility-the-key-to-solving-th/blog/59748/ Styllis, George. “Thailand Falling Behind in Global Battle with Plastic Waste.” Nikkei Asian Review, Nikkei, 5 June 2018, https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Thailand-falling-behind-in-global-battle-with-plastic-waste. “Thailand Fights Addiction to Plastic Bags.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 28 June 2010, www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jun/28/thailand-plastic-bags. van den Berg, Marcel. “First 7-Eleven Goes Plastic Bag Free on Koh Tao in Thailand!” Sairee Cottage Diving IDC, Diving Instructor Courses on Koh Tao Island, 8 Sept. 2018, www.idckohtaothailand.com/7-eleven-plastic-bag-free-koh-tao-thailand/. Williams, Sarah. “Thailand's National Parks Ban Plastic Bags and Styrofoam Containers.” Culture Trip, The Culture Trip, 16 June 2018, www.theculturetrip.com/asia/thailand/articles/thailands-national-parks-ban-plastic-bags-and-styrofoam-containers/. I didn't know what the Forum on Education Abroad was until someone told me about it, but apparently it is a big deal for people in the study abroad world. And I am really interested in working with study abroad organizations for a number of reasons:
So, I decided that the Forum on Education Abroad (or just "Forum" to those in the know) was a good place for me to spread the word about Bags for the Ocean. Lots of emails later, we were able to give out reusable bags at the Forum in Boston this year! We gave out over 100 bags and talked to lots of organizations about our project and how they can get involved. Nothing is set in stone yet, but I'm excited to see what comes from all this networking. Here are the volunteers getting ready to distribute bags at FORUM and let people know about Bags for the Ocean and how they can get involved. FORUM actually had its own sponsored tote bags that it gave to all participants, which gave me an idea. I'm going to look for a local conference and see if Bags for the Ocean can provide all the conference bags. I know this presents a few problems:
Thanks, FORUM, for inspiring this plan, and for helping me reach out to so many amazing organizations! Becker College had a big jobs event recently for the students in their pre-veterinary and vet tech programs, so as you can imagine, there were a LOT of people there who care about animals and the environment. What better place to share Bags for the Ocean!?
Our Becker chapter was able to give away reusable t-shirt bags to students and vendors and share some information about the importance of reducing plastic. They even talked with a few marine associations about working together in the future, which is always exciting. Tabling at grocery stores is a VERY good way to reach people with reusable bags. You can either use these events to sell bags and raise funds, or you can use them to give away bags for free to encourage the use of reusable bags at the grocery store.
Grocery store tabling is great because:
If your club wants a great place to distribute or sell reusable bags, I would suggest talking to your grocery store about setting up a table! Here are the steps to follow:
There are shirts in my car. There are shirts in my mom's car. There are shirts in my room, and in our kitchen, and in my locker... basically my life has been overrun by shirts. I'm learning that sharp scissors make a BIG difference in how long it takes me to prep a round of shirts, and they also make a difference in making sure my hand doesn't hurt so much.
On the one hand, I think this is awesome, and I'm so grateful for all the people who are helping this project by donating shirts! On the other hand, it's making me realize just how many extra THINGS we have that we don't care about at all. I can't even count the number of people who've said, "I never wear any of these!" or "I don't even know where I got half of these!" Guys, we just have SO MUCH. It's causing kind of a mental crisis for me, actually, but I've decided to just keep doing what I can do. For now, that's making t-shirts into reusable bags so that we can use them for something important: reducing plastic waste! And it also means just buying fewer clothes, which isn't a consequence I expected from this project. But once you empty out your hundredth bag of unwanted t-shirts onto the floor, you realize that even those "Free" t-shirts aren't really free, and that we need to make some big, big changes if we want to have things like food and oceans and oxygen. Okay, this took a weird turn. Anyway, thanks for all the shirts!! My first volunteer trip to Ecuador was a few years ago, but my love for the country continues to grow. I love working on projects that make a difference in this amazing country, and I'm very excited that Bags for the Ocean might be able to have a positive impact in the Galapagos Islands! The Galapagos Islands have a National Park and Marine Reserve that are open to visitors, and while people live and work year-round in the Galapagos, much of the environmental footprint to these important ecosystems is made by tourists. We're working with a foundation in Ecuador to help student groups bring re-usable bags to the Galapagos to use at hotels and guesthouses. This way, visitors can shop without using plastic bags, and these hospitality organizations can show their effort to be green and offer great service to their customers. This partnership will launch in summer 2019, and our goal is to deliver 2,000 reusable t-shirt bags to 20 hotels and guesthouses in the Galapagos, so that these bags can stay in the islands and be used by tourists shopping. While Bags for the Ocean is generally focused on donating and selling reusable bags in the US, outreach to projects abroad is an exciting part of what we do, and it can help motivate people to get involved. If you're traveling or volunteering abroad, you might find a great opportunity to donate re-useable bags and encourage others to get involved. Here are our first bags at our first guest house in Ecuador! These will be for sale with donated proceeds, but in the future, the bag library will be for guests to use for grocery and souvenir shopping while they are visiting. Here's one bag of bags, getting donated to the first launch of our Ecuador project. This particular bag is one that I loved, because it's from a shirt encouraging you to wear orange against gun violence in schools. I love seeing it travel far across the world to make a difference in a new way!
If you don't know much about St. Kitts, neither did I. It's one of two islands that makes up St. Kitts and Nevis, a small country in the Caribbean. And while it has beautiful beaches and rainforests (so I hear), what it doesn't have is recycling. That's right! This island has no way to recycle anything, including aluminum and glass, meaning that everything ends up in a landfill. Heart of St. Kitts Foundation writes, "According to a World Bank report published in 2012, St. Kitts and Nevis is ranked number 4 among countries that generate the most trash per capita per day. With 5.45 kilograms of trash per capita every day, St. Kitts knows a recycling system is not only needed, but mandatory. Without a proper recycling program, pressure will continue to build on the island’s only landfill." I've been talking with some students at the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, which is located on St. Kitts, about working together to solve this problem. Fortunately, the grocery chains on St. Kitts are really encouraging shoppers to bring their reusable bags! Reusable bags aren't easy to find on the island though, and they are expensive, making them prohibitive for most shoppers when plastic bags are free.
Bags for the Ocean is excited to starting a chapter at Ross University of Veterinary Medicine. Our goal for the next academic year is to distribute 1,000 reusable bags at local grocery stores. Since each t-shirt grocery bag can hold approximately 3 plastic bag's worth of items, we should be eliminating 3,000 plastic bags/week from the local landfills. It's not enough, but it's a great start! The local grocery store has allowed us to distribute bags to their shoppers, and we are hopeful that this might build a relationship to encourage other recycling measures. |
B4tOThis little project is growing! Thanks to everyone who's been involved so far. You can get involved too! Archives
December 2018
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