Single-use Plastic Will Never Go Away Until We Stop Using It: Making More Connections

A friend of mine out in Washington State is getting pissed off with the plastic bag ban they have. Apparently, there are still plastic bags out there — you just have to pay for them? What the actual fuck?

So, I asked him what he could do about it and mentioned that I used to write a blog about single-use plastic. Used to. Then I got busy, I said. Busy.

Busy watching the world burn. He might be busy watching the world burn, too.

I shared the link to this blog, thinking that there might be something from my early posts that could inspire him. And I read my last post — from almost three years ago — and felt inspired to write something new. I was talking earlier today with a friend about connections, how life happens, paths cross, decisions and choices are made that determine the course of the world.

I had a college kid knock on my door a few days ago — from VPIRG. Vermont Public Interest Research Group. He wanted to talk to me about climate change, how not too many people in my town were aware of it. “That’s fucked up,” I said, “As it is the number one concern that I have had for years.” I gave him my name, my email address, and $20 and sent him on his way.

Later, I looked up the candidates they are endorsing in this year’s elections and filled out my primary ballot accordingly. You can see that here: VPIRG 2022 Endorsements.

And if you live out in Washington State, I recommend reading The Stranger’s Endorsements for the August 2, 2022, Primary Election. The Stranger states:

If this year’s elections go the way election nerds think they could go, a red wave will crash over the Cascades and give the GOP one more seat in Congress, control of the Washington State House, and near parity in the state Senate.

Get out and vote!

In Vermont, there are no plastic bags at the grocery stores anymore. Bring your own or buy a paper bag. We all adapted to it quite easily. I think Maine does it that way, too.

What is going on in Washington? I’ve asked my friend to send me the details of the so-called bag ban out there. Perhaps if he searches for the language, he may find further inspiration to become part of a change that is clearly needed. Here is a photo of the bag in question:

And here is the link to SCS Global Services: SCS is an international leader in third-party certification, validation, and verification for environmental, sustainability, and food safety and quality performance claims.

A rabbit hole to go down! For another night…

Responsibility is not convenient — it’s necessary.

Rethink. Refuse. Reduce. Reuse. Reimagine. Reforest. Rejoice. Rebel. Return.