Support A Ban On Single Use Plastics
- Amber Guarino
- Apr 3, 2019
- 2 min read
Every day people are throwing away literally tons of single-use cups and other plastic items. Among the worst forms of plastic pollution is polystyrene foam (aka Styrofoam), which never fully degrades. Nothing we use for a few minutes should be allowed to pollute our oceans and rivers and threaten wildlife for centuries. That’s why we’re calling on state leaders to ban take-out foam cups and containers.
Pollution that lasts for hundreds of years
Scientists are still documenting the scope of plastic pollution and investigating its effects. But for decades we’ve known that one of the worst forms of plastic pollution is polystyrene foam, the kind used in foam cups and take-out containers, what most of us call Styrofoam.
Polystyrene foam breaks apart easily, but it persists in the environment in tiny particles—and every bit of it ever made is still out there and could continue to threaten wildlife for hundreds of years to come.
Nothing we use for a few minutes should be allowed to pollute our rivers and oceans for hundreds of years—especially when we don’t really need it. That’s why, along with our national network, we’re calling on more than 25 states to ban take-out foam cups and containers.
Moving beyond plastic pollution
Of course, there are plastics companies that don’t like this idea. Earlier this year, their opposition helped block a bill banning plastic foam containers in California. But across the country, plastic foam bans have passed in over 200 cities and other communities, from Portland, OR to Portland, ME. Some companies are also getting with the program. By the end of this year, McDonald's will phase out foam cups and containers worldwide, in favor of 100% recycled materials. It’s time to take this effort to the next level, but we’re going to need all the support we can find.
SIGN HERE!
Take a moment to sign this petition to let our state reps know how we feel about single use containers. Other cities in other states have begun the bans. That's a great sign. It means our appointed leaders are acknowledging the urgency. We have help them to keep their eye on the ball though and be louder than the companies that manufacturer these items.
Information Provided By: https://www.environmentflorida.org
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