Reduce Single-Use Plastics

Single-use plastics make up 11% of what Americans throw away, but only 3% of what we recycle. We could do better, but much of the plastic dropped in recycling bins isn’t being recycled. When the price of oil drops, it becomes far cheaper to make virgin plastic than to buy recycled plastic for manufacturing. Further, many plastic materials degrade each time they are processed and can only be recycled a few times. Without a profitable resale market, U.S. recycling companies landfill the material or sell it to other countries, primarily in Asia, where the waste is landfilled, incinerated, or escapes into waterways to fuel the ocean plastic pollution crisis. Learn more about why plastic recycling is broken and what we can do to fix it. Hint: manufacturers and supply chains need to take responsibility for reducing wasteful packaging.

Tips to Reduce Plastic Pollution

Plastic utensils and straws are a problem child for plastic recycling and usually end up as plastic pollution. In theory, they should be recyclable, but three obstacles stand in the way. First, they are made from a variety of different plastics. Some are commonly recycled (PET–#1 plastic and polypropylene–#5 plastic) and others not (polystyrene–#6 plastic); since they’re not labeled there’s no way to know. Second, their weird shape can jam the sorting machinery at the materials recovery facilities. Finally, even if accepted for recycling (they are not in our region), they are more likely to be shipped to Asia instead of recycled in the United States. The best solution is to stop forking around with plastic and carry reusable or compostable utensils instead.

Tips to Reduce Plastic Pollution

Biodegradable plastic is not a win – yet. Most biodegradable plastics sold as cups, plates, and utensils are made from some compostable material mixed with PLA (polylactic acid) – a durable plant-based plastic polymer made from corn starch or sugar cane. It is biodegradable, but only under certain high-heat conditions found at industrial-grade composting facilities that don’t exist in our area. If you throw that PLA cup or fork in the trash or your compost bin, where it will never be exposed to conditions that trigger biodegradation, it will sit there for decades or centuries, much like ordinary plastic pollution. A new generation of bioplastics composed of PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) made from canola oil are biodegradable in marine water and soil, and thus can be certified as home compostable . Because they break down so easily, PHA products are limited to plastic bags, wraps, and straws. Although bioplastics avoid the use of fossil fuels, they are not a solution for the waste piling up from single-use plastics.

Tips to Avoid Plastic Pollution

Here are 10 steps you can take to improve the sustainability of your business:

1. Energy Efficiency: Install programmable thermostats, Energy STAR appliances, and LED lighting throughout your facility and set a goal to reduce energy consumption by 15% within the next year. Consider investing in solar panels to generate renewable energy onsite.
2. Water Conservation: Upgrade to low-flow faucets and toilets in your bathrooms, install drought-resistant landscaping, and aim to reduce water usage by 20% within the next six months. Implement a rainwater harvesting system to collect water for landscaping purposes.
3. Waste Reduction and Recycling: Introduce a composting program for organic waste generated in your break rooms and cafeteria, with a goal to divert 50% of organic waste from landfills within the next year. Switch to using recycled paper products and provide reusable water bottles and utensils to employees. Set up a comprehensive recycling program for paper, plastic, glass, and other materials.
4. Sustainable Procurement: Source office supplies from suppliers that offer eco-friendly options such as recycled paper and non-toxic ink cartridges. Aim to have 50% of your office supplies sourced from sustainable vendors within the next six months.
5. Green Cleaning Practices: Switch to environmentally friendly cleaning products that are certified by organizations like Green Seal or EcoLogo. Set a goal to eliminate the use of chemical cleaners containing harmful substances within the next three months.
6. Transportation: Offer incentives such as subsidies for public transportation passes or bike-to-work programs. Install bike racks and designated carpool parking spaces to encourage alternative commuting methods.
7. Employee Engagement: Launch a sustainability awareness campaign among your staff, offering incentives for eco-friendly behaviors such as carpooling or using reusable containers for lunches. Organize monthly sustainability workshops or lunch-and-learn sessions to educate employees on green practices.
8. Community Engagement: Partner with local environmental organizations or schools to participate in community clean-up events or tree planting initiatives. Sponsor a local sustainability fair or workshop to engage with the broader community and raise awareness about environmental issues.
9. Continuous Improvement: Establish a sustainability committee within your organization to regularly assess and improve your green initiatives. Set quarterly goals to track progress and identify areas for further enhancement.
10. Certification Process: Review the Sarasota County Green Business Partner certification requirements and create a checklist to ensure compliance with all criteria. Set a target to complete the certification process and become officially recognized as a green business partner within the next six months.

By setting specific goals and implementing targeted initiatives, you can make meaningful strides towards sustainability while working towards becoming a Sarasota County Green Business Partner.

Learn more and get certified