Plastic Pollution Needs Bigger Solutions | Chris Reeves | TEDxNewport

on this day last year I was swimming in

on this day last year I was swimming in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean

the middle of the Atlantic Ocean

the middle of the Atlantic Ocean floating there watching the sunlight

floating there watching the sunlight

floating there watching the sunlight dissipated thousands and it looked

dissipated thousands and it looked

dissipated thousands and it looked exactly as I thought it would

exactly as I thought it would

exactly as I thought it would vast powerful there’s a whole community

vast powerful there’s a whole community

vast powerful there’s a whole community of organisms that live in the middle of

of organisms that live in the middle of

of organisms that live in the middle of the ocean

the ocean

the ocean just on the surface tension of the water

just on the surface tension of the water

just on the surface tension of the water so I was really excited to get out there

so I was really excited to get out there

so I was really excited to get out there and see these little blue button jellies

and see these little blue button jellies

and see these little blue button jellies electric blue sea slugs and there’s this

electric blue sea slugs and there’s this

electric blue sea slugs and there’s this little lightweight violet snail that

little lightweight violet snail that

little lightweight violet snail that blows a float out of its own snot so we

blows a float out of its own snot so we

blows a float out of its own snot so we can live an upside-down life hanging

can live an upside-down life hanging

can live an upside-down life hanging from the ceiling of the sea so I’m

from the ceiling of the sea so I’m

from the ceiling of the sea so I’m floating out there underneath the

floating out there underneath the

floating out there underneath the sailboat that I was delivering to the

sailboat that I was delivering to the

sailboat that I was delivering to the bbi’s with a couple of friends they were

bbi’s with a couple of friends they were

bbi’s with a couple of friends they were swimming around the boat doing a lap and

swimming around the boat doing a lap and

swimming around the boat doing a lap and then my vision refocused kind of the way

then my vision refocused kind of the way

then my vision refocused kind of the way that it does when you take your eyes off

that it does when you take your eyes off

that it does when you take your eyes off a traffic and then you finally see the

a traffic and then you finally see the

a traffic and then you finally see the dirt on your windshield floating in

dirt on your windshield floating in

dirt on your windshield floating in front of me was a little white confetti

front of me was a little white confetti

front of me was a little white confetti sized piece of plastic as we focused

sized piece of plastic as we focused

sized piece of plastic as we focused again and there maybe ten feet deeper

again and there maybe ten feet deeper

again and there maybe ten feet deeper and a little farther away was another

and a little farther away was another

and a little farther away was another this little tattered red strip of

this little tattered red strip of

this little tattered red strip of plastic ribbon with a crustacean hanging

plastic ribbon with a crustacean hanging

plastic ribbon with a crustacean hanging onto it nearby as well now we had seen

onto it nearby as well now we had seen

onto it nearby as well now we had seen whole plastic chairs on the way out

whole plastic chairs on the way out

whole plastic chairs on the way out couple of cigarette lighters and maybe a

couple of cigarette lighters and maybe a

couple of cigarette lighters and maybe a few balloons out on the horizon but the

few balloons out on the horizon but the

few balloons out on the horizon but the ocean is it enormous you can definitely

ocean is it enormous you can definitely

ocean is it enormous you can definitely find huge dense they’re plastic trash

find huge dense they’re plastic trash

find huge dense they’re plastic trash piles floating around out there you can

piles floating around out there you can

piles floating around out there you can find whole plastic bottles mylar

find whole plastic bottles mylar

find whole plastic bottles mylar balloons with the fading remains of

balloons with the fading remains of

balloons with the fading remains of forgotten birthdays and open houses

forgotten birthdays and open houses

forgotten birthdays and open houses that’s not what the majority of plastic

that’s not what the majority of plastic

that’s not what the majority of plastic pollution in the ocean actually looks

pollution in the ocean actually looks

pollution in the ocean actually looks like you have to be out there to get a

like you have to be out there to get a

like you have to be out there to get a sense of scale so I’ll try to give that

sense of scale so I’ll try to give that

sense of scale so I’ll try to give that to you now plastic is an oil product it

to you now plastic is an oil product it

to you now plastic is an oil product it is engineered to be incredibly strong it

is engineered to be incredibly strong it

is engineered to be incredibly strong it does not break down in the environment

does not break down in the environment

does not break down in the environment every piece of plastic ever created

every piece of plastic ever created

every piece of plastic ever created still exists in the environment today it

still exists in the environment today it

still exists in the environment today it entangles wildlife for just about every

entangles wildlife for just about every

entangles wildlife for just about every ecosystem on the planet and in the ocean

ecosystem on the planet and in the ocean

ecosystem on the planet and in the ocean sunlight and sea water break the plastic

sunlight and sea water break the plastic

sunlight and sea water break the plastic apart into tiny little pieces that still

apart into tiny little pieces that still

apart into tiny little pieces that still retain some harmful chemical properties

retain some harmful chemical properties

retain some harmful chemical properties and are able to absorb other persistent

and are able to absorb other persistent

and are able to absorb other persistent organic pollutants like PCBs DDT dioxins

organic pollutants like PCBs DDT dioxins

organic pollutants like PCBs DDT dioxins all carcinogens and then transport those

all carcinogens and then transport those

all carcinogens and then transport those into the oceanic food web

into the oceanic food web

into the oceanic food web when they’re ingested by marine animals

when they’re ingested by marine animals

when they’re ingested by marine animals those those toxins then build up in

those those toxins then build up in

those those toxins then build up in concentration into our seafood and

concentration into our seafood and

concentration into our seafood and eventually into us we used to think that

eventually into us we used to think that

eventually into us we used to think that all plastic floats that isn’t true

all plastic floats that isn’t true

all plastic floats that isn’t true we found plastic on the surface but also

we found plastic on the surface but also

we found plastic on the surface but also in the mid-water and on every Beach of

in the mid-water and on every Beach of

in the mid-water and on every Beach of every body of water around the planet

every body of water around the planet

every body of water around the planet including the great lakes we’ve even

including the great lakes we’ve even

including the great lakes we’ve even found plastic in the deep sea the deep

found plastic in the deep sea the deep

found plastic in the deep sea the deep sea is as far from you can you can get

sea is as far from you can you can get

sea is as far from you can you can get from civilization and still be on this

from civilization and still be on this

from civilization and still be on this planet and yet our plastic trash is

planet and yet our plastic trash is

planet and yet our plastic trash is already waiting for us there now I’m not

already waiting for us there now I’m not

already waiting for us there now I’m not saying anything new here this has all

saying anything new here this has all

saying anything new here this has all been covered very well in the media and

been covered very well in the media and

been covered very well in the media and in science there was even a whole TEDx

in science there was even a whole TEDx

in science there was even a whole TEDx event on this in 2011 in santa monica

event on this in 2011 in santa monica

event on this in 2011 in santa monica california recently scientists at sea

california recently scientists at sea

california recently scientists at sea Education Association and Scripps

Education Association and Scripps

Education Association and Scripps Institute of Oceanography estimated that

Institute of Oceanography estimated that

Institute of Oceanography estimated that there are about 8 million tons of

there are about 8 million tons of

there are about 8 million tons of plastic trash entering the ocean

plastic trash entering the ocean

plastic trash entering the ocean worldwide every year 8 million metric

worldwide every year 8 million metric

worldwide every year 8 million metric tons of trash we use these huge numbers

tons of trash we use these huge numbers

tons of trash we use these huge numbers when we talk about plastic pollution in

when we talk about plastic pollution in

when we talk about plastic pollution in the ocean but most people can’t get

the ocean but most people can’t get

the ocean but most people can’t get their head around what 8 million metric

their head around what 8 million metric

their head around what 8 million metric tons of anything looks like so let’s

tons of anything looks like so let’s

tons of anything looks like so let’s talk about scale the Zippy goshen takes

talk about scale the Zippy goshen takes

talk about scale the Zippy goshen takes up about half the planet the Atlantic

up about half the planet the Atlantic

up about half the planet the Atlantic takes up about half of the other half in

takes up about half of the other half in

takes up about half of the other half in an area the size of an ocean 8 million

an area the size of an ocean 8 million

an area the size of an ocean 8 million metric tons the plastic pollution looks

metric tons the plastic pollution looks

metric tons the plastic pollution looks like the tiny pathetic plastic confetti

like the tiny pathetic plastic confetti

like the tiny pathetic plastic confetti that I was seeing on my swim this

that I was seeing on my swim this

that I was seeing on my swim this photograph was taken by a scientist

photograph was taken by a scientist

photograph was taken by a scientist named Miriam Goldstein on our

named Miriam Goldstein on our

named Miriam Goldstein on our researchers in the Pacific in 2009 she

researchers in the Pacific in 2009 she

researchers in the Pacific in 2009 she was out there to study plastic in this

was out there to study plastic in this

was out there to study plastic in this tool that she’s holding is called a

tool that she’s holding is called a

tool that she’s holding is called a quadrat quadrat is just a device that

quadrat quadrat is just a device that

quadrat quadrat is just a device that scientists used to make estimates of

scientists used to make estimates of

scientists used to make estimates of things within a given area in this case

things within a given area in this case

things within a given area in this case it’s a 1 meter square so I just then

it’s a 1 meter square so I just then

it’s a 1 meter square so I just then take the date of the kit account in the

take the date of the kit account in the

take the date of the kit account in the quadrat and apply statistics to

quadrat and apply statistics to

quadrat and apply statistics to extrapolate an area estimate of whatever

extrapolate an area estimate of whatever

extrapolate an area estimate of whatever it is they’re studying and normally

it is they’re studying and normally

it is they’re studying and normally these would be things like algae on a

these would be things like algae on a

these would be things like algae on a reef or a number of clams and a patch of

reef or a number of clams and a patch of

reef or a number of clams and a patch of mud you would never use a quadrat in the

mud you would never use a quadrat in the

mud you would never use a quadrat in the middle of the ocean because the

middle of the ocean because the

middle of the ocean because the probability of finding plastic in a 1

probability of finding plastic in a 1

probability of finding plastic in a 1 meter square randomly placed in an area

meter square randomly placed in an area

meter square randomly placed in an area the size of three quarters of the planet

the size of three quarters of the planet

the size of three quarters of the planet zero

zero

zero hmm the floating piles of trash and the

hmm the floating piles of trash and the

hmm the floating piles of trash and the entangled animals that you see in the

entangled animals that you see in the

entangled animals that you see in the media are definitely out there you guys

media are definitely out there you guys

media are definitely out there you guys have all seen photos of this but the

have all seen photos of this but the

have all seen photos of this but the majority of plastic pollution in the

majority of plastic pollution in the

majority of plastic pollution in the ocean is in the form of this micro

ocean is in the form of this micro

ocean is in the form of this micro plastic it breaks down into microscopic

plastic it breaks down into microscopic

plastic it breaks down into microscopic pieces even that still retained their

pieces even that still retained their

pieces even that still retained their harmful chemical properties there’s a

harmful chemical properties there’s a

harmful chemical properties there’s a researcher on the west coast who studies

researcher on the west coast who studies

researcher on the west coast who studies plastic named Marcus Erickson who refers

plastic named Marcus Erickson who refers

plastic named Marcus Erickson who refers to this as a plastic smog it is

to this as a plastic smog it is

to this as a plastic smog it is everywhere diffuse and inescapable when

everywhere diffuse and inescapable when

everywhere diffuse and inescapable when you go to the beach when you go swimming

you go to the beach when you go swimming

you go to the beach when you go swimming surfing or sailing and you see these

surfing or sailing and you see these

surfing or sailing and you see these little tiny pieces of plastic they

little tiny pieces of plastic they

little tiny pieces of plastic they should represent to you a global

should represent to you a global

should represent to you a global pollution the solution for dealing with

pollution the solution for dealing with

pollution the solution for dealing with plastic pollution in the ocean needs to

plastic pollution in the ocean needs to

plastic pollution in the ocean needs to be proportionate to the scale of the

be proportionate to the scale of the

be proportionate to the scale of the problem now I’m sure that you guys all

problem now I’m sure that you guys all

problem now I’m sure that you guys all recycle that is to say you guys put your

recycle that is to say you guys put your

recycle that is to say you guys put your stuff in the blue recycling bin how many

stuff in the blue recycling bin how many

stuff in the blue recycling bin how many people think that that material that was

people think that that material that was

people think that that material that was used to make that plastic bottle it

used to make that plastic bottle it

used to make that plastic bottle it melted down and made into a new plastic

melted down and made into a new plastic

melted down and made into a new plastic bottle of equal value

bottle of equal value

bottle of equal value that’s what recycling is supposed to

that’s what recycling is supposed to

that’s what recycling is supposed to mean right you take the old material and

mean right you take the old material and

mean right you take the old material and make an equivalent new thing how many

make an equivalent new thing how many

make an equivalent new thing how many people think that the purpose of

people think that the purpose of

people think that the purpose of recycling overall is to reduce the

recycling overall is to reduce the

recycling overall is to reduce the amount of plastic waste in the world I

amount of plastic waste in the world I

amount of plastic waste in the world I thought that stuff and it’s not true

thought that stuff and it’s not true

thought that stuff and it’s not true plastic cannot be recycled not in the

plastic cannot be recycled not in the

plastic cannot be recycled not in the way that we think you can melt down

way that we think you can melt down

way that we think you can melt down glass and metals and make an equivalent

glass and metals and make an equivalent

glass and metals and make an equivalent thing out of that material but not

thing out of that material but not

thing out of that material but not plastic you guys have all seen this this

plastic you guys have all seen this this

plastic you guys have all seen this this chasing arrow symbol right this means

chasing arrow symbol right this means

chasing arrow symbol right this means that things are supposed to be

that things are supposed to be

that things are supposed to be recyclable

recyclable

recyclable it doesn’t actually doesn’t mean

it doesn’t actually doesn’t mean

it doesn’t actually doesn’t mean anything at all this is just a frame for

anything at all this is just a frame for

anything at all this is just a frame for the number that tells you what type of

the number that tells you what type of

the number that tells you what type of plastic any given product is made of

plastic any given product is made of

plastic any given product is made of number one is polyethylene terephthalate

number one is polyethylene terephthalate

number one is polyethylene terephthalate or PET plastic this is what most of your

or PET plastic this is what most of your

or PET plastic this is what most of your plastic bottles are made of and the

plastic bottles are made of and the

plastic bottles are made of and the chasing arrow symbol does not mean that

chasing arrow symbol does not mean that

chasing arrow symbol does not mean that it can or will be recycled is

it can or will be recycled is

it can or will be recycled is essentially just advertising because

essentially just advertising because

essentially just advertising because people continue to believe that these

people continue to believe that these

people continue to believe that these materials are going to be recycled and

materials are going to be recycled and

materials are going to be recycled and reused to make new things once they go

reused to make new things once they go

reused to make new things once they go into the trash

the majority of plastic waste gets

the majority of plastic waste gets shipped off to other countries like

shipped off to other countries like

shipped off to other countries like China where they are they extract some

China where they are they extract some

China where they are they extract some of the plastic waste like pet and

of the plastic waste like pet and

of the plastic waste like pet and they’re able to down cycle it into lower

they’re able to down cycle it into lower

they’re able to down cycle it into lower quality long lasting materials like

quality long lasting materials like

quality long lasting materials like polar fleeces or outdoor decking but

polar fleeces or outdoor decking but

polar fleeces or outdoor decking but those things once they’re done with

those things once they’re done with

those things once they’re done with their usefulness are going to be end up

their usefulness are going to be end up

their usefulness are going to be end up in landfill because they they’re not

in landfill because they they’re not

in landfill because they they’re not going to break down so they’ll either

going to break down so they’ll either

going to break down so they’ll either end up in the landfill or they’ll end up

end up in the landfill or they’ll end up

end up in the landfill or they’ll end up in the environment so they’ll extract

in the environment so they’ll extract

in the environment so they’ll extract those and then the rest of the plastic

those and then the rest of the plastic

those and then the rest of the plastic that they have they’ll just burn and

that they have they’ll just burn and

that they have they’ll just burn and release those toxic chemicals out into

release those toxic chemicals out into

release those toxic chemicals out into the atmosphere along with the carbon

the atmosphere along with the carbon

the atmosphere along with the carbon that they’re made of mismanaged wastes

that they’re made of mismanaged wastes

that they’re made of mismanaged wastes that are trash blowing off the back of

that are trash blowing off the back of

that are trash blowing off the back of trucks this is how 8 million tons of

trucks this is how 8 million tons of

trucks this is how 8 million tons of plastic trash is entering the ocean

plastic trash is entering the ocean

plastic trash is entering the ocean every year it’s lightweight so when it

every year it’s lightweight so when it

every year it’s lightweight so when it lands on the ground and washes

lands on the ground and washes

lands on the ground and washes downstream the EPA and 2013 reported

downstream the EPA and 2013 reported

downstream the EPA and 2013 reported that in our country we only recovered 9%

that in our country we only recovered 9%

that in our country we only recovered 9% of the plastic produced in the entire

of the plastic produced in the entire

of the plastic produced in the entire country it’s only 9% of all that plastic

country it’s only 9% of all that plastic

country it’s only 9% of all that plastic packaging we have recovered into our

packaging we have recovered into our

packaging we have recovered into our waste system and the other 91% is out

waste system and the other 91% is out

waste system and the other 91% is out there in the environment somewhere now

there in the environment somewhere now

there in the environment somewhere now what about alternatives what about bio

what about alternatives what about bio

what about alternatives what about bio plastics plastics that are said to be

plastics plastics that are said to be

plastics plastics that are said to be made of plants or compostable or

made of plants or compostable or

made of plants or compostable or biodegradable are still just plastic

biodegradable are still just plastic

biodegradable are still just plastic there’s no legal definition for what

there’s no legal definition for what

there’s no legal definition for what compost ability or biodegradability

compost ability or biodegradability

compost ability or biodegradability means so products that are advertised as

means so products that are advertised as

means so products that are advertised as compostable or biodegradable do not

compostable or biodegradable do not

compostable or biodegradable do not break down in the environment they don’t

break down in the environment they don’t

break down in the environment they don’t even break down an industrial compost

even break down an industrial compost

even break down an industrial compost machines those potato based plastics

machines those potato based plastics

machines those potato based plastics don’t break down so probably the

don’t break down so probably the

don’t break down so probably the question that’s on everyone’s mind right

question that’s on everyone’s mind right

question that’s on everyone’s mind right now is the heck do I do with this

now is the heck do I do with this

now is the heck do I do with this plastic bottle water out them all day

plastic bottle water out them all day

plastic bottle water out them all day they answer that question you just still

they answer that question you just still

they answer that question you just still putted them into the recycling because

putted them into the recycling because

putted them into the recycling because as the only place that there’s a chance

as the only place that there’s a chance

as the only place that there’s a chance that material might be reused single-use

that material might be reused single-use

that material might be reused single-use plastics do not add value to our lives

plastics do not add value to our lives

plastics do not add value to our lives music for such a short amount of time

music for such a short amount of time

music for such a short amount of time and then we never think about that

and then we never think about that

and then we never think about that material after it’s used we have no ax

material after it’s used we have no ax

material after it’s used we have no ax attachment to it we’ve only been using

attachment to it we’ve only been using

attachment to it we’ve only been using plastic for about sixty years we did

plastic for about sixty years we did

plastic for about sixty years we did just fine without it before then people

just fine without it before then people

just fine without it before then people still eat out at restaurants will still

still eat out at restaurants will still

still eat out at restaurants will still drink coffee we fell in love and we made

drink coffee we fell in love and we made

drink coffee we fell in love and we made tiny people

tiny people

tiny people we have no attachment to those actual

we have no attachment to those actual

we have no attachment to those actual individual products that we’re using but

individual products that we’re using but

individual products that we’re using but I want you guys to be honest with you

I want you guys to be honest with you

I want you guys to be honest with you know how many people saved your favorite

know how many people saved your favorite

know how many people saved your favorite spork

spork

spork this one is mine I was just thinking the

this one is mine I was just thinking the

this one is mine I was just thinking the other day about the adorable way that

other day about the adorable way that

other day about the adorable way that neither speared nor scooped my food very

neither speared nor scooped my food very

neither speared nor scooped my food very efficiently such times we had well these

efficiently such times we had well these

efficiently such times we had well these things don’t add any value to our lives

things don’t add any value to our lives

things don’t add any value to our lives and the trade-off for temporary use is

and the trade-off for temporary use is

and the trade-off for temporary use is not worth that material lasting in the

not worth that material lasting in the

not worth that material lasting in the environment forever you guys are

environment forever you guys are

environment forever you guys are probably feeling a familiar little guilt

probably feeling a familiar little guilt

probably feeling a familiar little guilt right now the plastics industry has sold

right now the plastics industry has sold

right now the plastics industry has sold us on the idea that personal recycling

us on the idea that personal recycling

us on the idea that personal recycling is going to take care of the problem

is going to take care of the problem

is going to take care of the problem right if everyone would just recycle

right if everyone would just recycle

right if everyone would just recycle there’d be no pollution there be no

there’d be no pollution there be no

there’d be no pollution there be no trash out there and nature would be nice

trash out there and nature would be nice

trash out there and nature would be nice and clean if it wasn’t for all those

and clean if it wasn’t for all those

and clean if it wasn’t for all those terrible people that don’t recycle we

terrible people that don’t recycle we

terrible people that don’t recycle we have no one else to blame but ourselves

have no one else to blame but ourselves

have no one else to blame but ourselves we’re still so sold on this idea that we

we’re still so sold on this idea that we

we’re still so sold on this idea that we continue to teach platitudes to our

continue to teach platitudes to our

continue to teach platitudes to our children that reflect our responsibility

children that reflect our responsibility

children that reflect our responsibility in taking care of plastic pollution even

in taking care of plastic pollution even

in taking care of plastic pollution even while we continue to use these products

while we continue to use these products

while we continue to use these products so you guys see him with me now what are

so you guys see him with me now what are

so you guys see him with me now what are the 3 R’s for saving the world reduce

the 3 R’s for saving the world reduce

the 3 R’s for saving the world reduce reuse recycle right and even when we say

reuse recycle right and even when we say

reuse recycle right and even when we say refuse we’re still in a way taking

refuse we’re still in a way taking

refuse we’re still in a way taking credit for that material

credit for that material

credit for that material before you guys start feeling too bad I

before you guys start feeling too bad I

before you guys start feeling too bad I have an important question for you

have an important question for you

have an important question for you by show of hands how many people in the

by show of hands how many people in the

by show of hands how many people in the audience have ever been approached by a

audience have ever been approached by a

audience have ever been approached by a major corporation and asked whether or

major corporation and asked whether or

major corporation and asked whether or not you want your products packaged in

not you want your products packaged in

not you want your products packaged in plastic no hands right nobody you didn’t

plastic no hands right nobody you didn’t

plastic no hands right nobody you didn’t make that stuff in the first place

make that stuff in the first place

make that stuff in the first place plastic material is continued continuing

plastic material is continued continuing

plastic material is continued continuing to be made because it’s making money for

to be made because it’s making money for

to be made because it’s making money for corporations you had no say in the

corporations you had no say in the

corporations you had no say in the creation of that material and wouldn’t

creation of that material and wouldn’t

creation of that material and wouldn’t you design your products better

you design your products better

you design your products better we need to stop using a material that

we need to stop using a material that

we need to stop using a material that lasts in the environment forever or

lasts in the environment forever or

lasts in the environment forever or temporary or single uses now waterfront

temporary or single uses now waterfront

temporary or single uses now waterfront cities like Newport have a powerful

cities like Newport have a powerful

cities like Newport have a powerful financial cultural and historical

financial cultural and historical

financial cultural and historical investment in maintaining a healthy

investment in maintaining a healthy

investment in maintaining a healthy waterfront whether you are a boater you

waterfront whether you are a boater you

waterfront whether you are a boater you have a business on the waterfront or

have a business on the waterfront or

have a business on the waterfront or you just live in a town whose waterfront

you just live in a town whose waterfront

you just live in a town whose waterfront is the engine for your local economy you

is the engine for your local economy you

is the engine for your local economy you have a vested interest in maintaining

have a vested interest in maintaining

have a vested interest in maintaining that healthy waterways that are free of

that healthy waterways that are free of

that healthy waterways that are free of plastic and there are great solutions

plastic and there are great solutions

plastic and there are great solutions already underway

already underway

already underway some of those right here in Newport

some of those right here in Newport

some of those right here in Newport sailors for the sea and eleventh-hour

sailors for the sea and eleventh-hour

sailors for the sea and eleventh-hour racing are sponsoring waste-free

racing are sponsoring waste-free

racing are sponsoring waste-free regattas and clean events clean ocean

regattas and clean events clean ocean

regattas and clean events clean ocean access host beach cleanups and has

access host beach cleanups and has

access host beach cleanups and has installed plastic collection devices in

installed plastic collection devices in

installed plastic collection devices in the harbor

the harbor

the harbor there’s doing the movement to foot to

there’s doing the movement to foot to

there’s doing the movement to foot to deal with the little plastic straw that

deal with the little plastic straw that

deal with the little plastic straw that end up on our beaches and in our

end up on our beaches and in our

end up on our beaches and in our waterways these these are all great

waterways these these are all great

waterways these these are all great solutions and they are combined they are

solutions and they are combined they are

solutions and they are combined they are necessary for dealing with the waste

necessary for dealing with the waste

necessary for dealing with the waste that is already out there but this is

that is already out there but this is

that is already out there but this is still just from the cleanup ends we need

still just from the cleanup ends we need

still just from the cleanup ends we need to start dealing with plastic waste

to start dealing with plastic waste

to start dealing with plastic waste before it is created we need to cut off

before it is created we need to cut off

before it is created we need to cut off the waste of the source plastic

the waste of the source plastic

the waste of the source plastic production is still increasing and if we

production is still increasing and if we

production is still increasing and if we don’t deal with the waste ahead of time

don’t deal with the waste ahead of time

don’t deal with the waste ahead of time we’re never gonna get out of the smog

we’re never gonna get out of the smog

we’re never gonna get out of the smog all of the waste three events all the

all of the waste three events all the

all of the waste three events all the personal recycling and all of the beach

personal recycling and all of the beach

personal recycling and all of the beach cleanups are not happening at a pace

cleanups are not happening at a pace

cleanups are not happening at a pace that is fast enough to deal with the

that is fast enough to deal with the

that is fast enough to deal with the amount of plastic that we produce and

amount of plastic that we produce and

amount of plastic that we produce and consume is just as individual plastic

consume is just as individual plastic

consume is just as individual plastic bottles and mylar balloons do not

bottles and mylar balloons do not

bottles and mylar balloons do not represent the scale of the worldwide

represent the scale of the worldwide

represent the scale of the worldwide pollution your individual efforts to

pollution your individual efforts to

pollution your individual efforts to recycle at home do not match the scale

recycle at home do not match the scale

recycle at home do not match the scale but those solutions needed to solve it

now Newport not alone in the world in

now Newport not alone in the world in trying to deal with plastic pollution we

trying to deal with plastic pollution we

trying to deal with plastic pollution we have several cities around the United

have several cities around the United

have several cities around the United States that have important waterways

States that have important waterways

States that have important waterways like Austin Texas San Francisco and Long

like Austin Texas San Francisco and Long

like Austin Texas San Francisco and Long Beach California and they’ve all been

Beach California and they’ve all been

Beach California and they’ve all been able to successfully ban the sale of

able to successfully ban the sale of

able to successfully ban the sale of things like styrofoam plastic water

things like styrofoam plastic water

things like styrofoam plastic water bottles plastic grocery bags and even

bottles plastic grocery bags and even

bottles plastic grocery bags and even plastic drink bottles France just banned

plastic drink bottles France just banned

plastic drink bottles France just banned the sale and use of plastic cutlery and

the sale and use of plastic cutlery and

the sale and use of plastic cutlery and dishware in the entire country

dishware in the entire country

dishware in the entire country amazing right I heard a no in the back

amazing right I heard a no in the back

amazing right I heard a no in the back so lots of countries around the world

so lots of countries around the world

so lots of countries around the world have implemented laws called the

have implemented laws called the

have implemented laws called the extended producer responsibility laws

extended producer responsibility laws

extended producer responsibility laws these laws hold manufacturers

these laws hold manufacturers

these laws hold manufacturers responsible for the mature the entire

responsible for the mature the entire

responsible for the mature the entire lifecycle of the material that they

lifecycle of the material that they

lifecycle of the material that they create in Germany their EPR laws

create in Germany their EPR laws

create in Germany their EPR laws required manufacturers of plastic

required manufacturers of plastic

required manufacturers of plastic packaging to take that packaging back so

packaging to take that packaging back so

packaging to take that packaging back so government worked with local businesses

government worked with local businesses

government worked with local businesses to try to redesign the packaging so they

to try to redesign the packaging so they

to try to redesign the packaging so they reduced the overall amount of packaging

reduced the overall amount of packaging

reduced the overall amount of packaging they redesigned it to make it out of

they redesigned it to make it out of

they redesigned it to make it out of better materials than plastic and they

better materials than plastic and they

better materials than plastic and they got their recovery rate up to 75% 75% is

got their recovery rate up to 75% 75% is

got their recovery rate up to 75% 75% is huge 70% of all packaging produced in an

huge 70% of all packaging produced in an

huge 70% of all packaging produced in an entire country is now back into the

entire country is now back into the

entire country is now back into the waste stream and not in the environment

waste stream and not in the environment

waste stream and not in the environment so remember that in the United States

so remember that in the United States

so remember that in the United States our recovery rate is only 9% plastic is

our recovery rate is only 9% plastic is

our recovery rate is only 9% plastic is cheap the glut of low value materials in

cheap the glut of low value materials in

cheap the glut of low value materials in our recycling stream is messing up the

our recycling stream is messing up the

our recycling stream is messing up the recycling stream by reducing the amount

recycling stream by reducing the amount

recycling stream by reducing the amount of glass and higher value metals causing

of glass and higher value metals causing

of glass and higher value metals causing our recycling infrastructure to fail

our recycling infrastructure to fail

our recycling infrastructure to fail many manufacturers are taking the

many manufacturers are taking the

many manufacturers are taking the recycling the stuff that you put into

recycling the stuff that you put into

recycling the stuff that you put into the blue bin and then moving that

the blue bin and then moving that

the blue bin and then moving that directly to landfill because it isn’t

directly to landfill because it isn’t

directly to landfill because it isn’t worth trying to sell it to another

worth trying to sell it to another

worth trying to sell it to another country you are paying for materials

country you are paying for materials

country you are paying for materials that you had no choice in creating

that you had no choice in creating

that you had no choice in creating taking responsibility from a trip for a

taking responsibility from a trip for a

taking responsibility from a trip for a hazardous material do your tax money so

hazardous material do your tax money so

hazardous material do your tax money so money that you pay for municipal waste

money that you pay for municipal waste

money that you pay for municipal waste your taxes my taxes cover the cost of

your taxes my taxes cover the cost of

your taxes my taxes cover the cost of collection disposal and recycling using

collection disposal and recycling using

collection disposal and recycling using that money to pay for materials that we

that money to pay for materials that we

that money to pay for materials that we had no say in creating this tantamount

had no say in creating this tantamount

had no say in creating this tantamount to corporate welfare so here in North

to corporate welfare so here in North

to corporate welfare so here in North America we’re lagging behind the rest of

America we’re lagging behind the rest of

America we’re lagging behind the rest of the world with regards to passing EPR

the world with regards to passing EPR

the world with regards to passing EPR laws we do have one good example that’s

laws we do have one good example that’s

laws we do have one good example that’s fairly close to home so in British

fairly close to home so in British

fairly close to home so in British Columbia Canada they just implemented

Columbia Canada they just implemented

Columbia Canada they just implemented their first DPR lust only two years ago

their first DPR lust only two years ago

their first DPR lust only two years ago multi materials BC worked with

multi materials BC worked with

multi materials BC worked with businesses there to make those

businesses there to make those

businesses there to make those businesses responsible for the packaging

businesses responsible for the packaging

businesses responsible for the packaging when they produced so it’s no longer in

when they produced so it’s no longer in

when they produced so it’s no longer in the hands of the citizens those

the hands of the citizens those

the hands of the citizens those manufacturers now have to pay for the

manufacturers now have to pay for the

manufacturers now have to pay for the curbside collection and recycling of

curbside collection and recycling of

curbside collection and recycling of that material and they’ve gotten their

that material and they’ve gotten their

that material and they’ve gotten their recycling the recovery rate up to 80%

recycling the recovery rate up to 80%

recycling the recovery rate up to 80% 80% it’s fantastic so 80% of all of the

80% it’s fantastic so 80% of all of the

80% it’s fantastic so 80% of all of the packaging material produced in that

packaging material produced in that

packaging material produced in that region has been recovered and is now not

region has been recovered and is now not

region has been recovered and is now not in the environment we have great

in the environment we have great

in the environment we have great examples there’s already momentum for

examples there’s already momentum for

examples there’s already momentum for doing this we know that it can be a

doing this we know that it can be a

doing this we know that it can be a success right here in the United States

success right here in the United States

success right here in the United States we also have interests in doing this but

we also have interests in doing this but

we also have interests in doing this but we’re a little behind here in Rhode

we’re a little behind here in Rhode

we’re a little behind here in Rhode Island there’s a company called upstream

Island there’s a company called upstream

Island there’s a company called upstream that’s working with partners all around

that’s working with partners all around

that’s working with partners all around the country

the country

the country to try to implement a PR legislation to

to try to implement a PR legislation to

to try to implement a PR legislation to make DPR laws that are good for both

make DPR laws that are good for both

make DPR laws that are good for both businesses and for consumers just last

businesses and for consumers just last

businesses and for consumers just last year upstream introduced legislation

year upstream introduced legislation

year upstream introduced legislation through oil and Congress that would

through oil and Congress that would

through oil and Congress that would include the cost of collection disposal

include the cost of collection disposal

include the cost of collection disposal and recycling in the price of the

and recycling in the price of the

and recycling in the price of the product ahead of time

product ahead of time

product ahead of time well it’s good because that means that

well it’s good because that means that

well it’s good because that means that you’re not paying for any materials that

you’re not paying for any materials that

you’re not paying for any materials that you don’t use so your tax dollars would

you don’t use so your tax dollars would

you don’t use so your tax dollars would no longer be going to pay for the

no longer be going to pay for the

no longer be going to pay for the plastic material that anyone else in the

plastic material that anyone else in the

plastic material that anyone else in the state has used and that’s a win for

state has used and that’s a win for

state has used and that’s a win for everybody now in sculpting new EPR laws

everybody now in sculpting new EPR laws

everybody now in sculpting new EPR laws it’s going to take dedicated effort on

it’s going to take dedicated effort on

it’s going to take dedicated effort on the part of our politicians and our

the part of our politicians and our

the part of our politicians and our citizens and continue the application

citizens and continue the application

citizens and continue the application even as they’re conceived lobbyists from

even as they’re conceived lobbyists from

even as they’re conceived lobbyists from the court that plastic industry are

the court that plastic industry are

the court that plastic industry are going to try to influence those laws to

going to try to influence those laws to

going to try to influence those laws to continue to make as much money as

continue to make as much money as

continue to make as much money as possible every state including Rhode

possible every state including Rhode

possible every state including Rhode Island has several lobbyists that are

Island has several lobbyists that are

Island has several lobbyists that are paid by the American Chemistry Council

paid by the American Chemistry Council

paid by the American Chemistry Council this is a corporate lobbying group

this is a corporate lobbying group

this is a corporate lobbying group that’s made up of businesses like Exxon

that’s made up of businesses like Exxon

that’s made up of businesses like Exxon Mobil Dow Chemical DuPont 3m and even

Mobil Dow Chemical DuPont 3m and even

Mobil Dow Chemical DuPont 3m and even the publicly traded waste management

the publicly traded waste management

the publicly traded waste management corporation so I need to include a

corporation so I need to include a

corporation so I need to include a caveat that any new EPR legislation is

caveat that any new EPR legislation is

caveat that any new EPR legislation is going to have to exclude any of the

going to have to exclude any of the

going to have to exclude any of the plastics that are on the market today

plastics that are on the market today

plastics that are on the market today because they are not recyclable we need

because they are not recyclable we need

because they are not recyclable we need to treat those as a hazardous non

to treat those as a hazardous non

to treat those as a hazardous non recyclable waste and expect corporations

recyclable waste and expect corporations

recyclable waste and expect corporations to innovate a closed-loop cradle to

to innovate a closed-loop cradle to

to innovate a closed-loop cradle to cradle system that is actually

cradle system that is actually

cradle system that is actually cost-effective where we get to reuse

cost-effective where we get to reuse

cost-effective where we get to reuse that same material over again it just

that same material over again it just

that same material over again it just takes momentum so leaving you guys with

takes momentum so leaving you guys with

takes momentum so leaving you guys with big political solutions is a terrible

big political solutions is a terrible

big political solutions is a terrible thing to do so I’ll give you one more

thing to do so I’ll give you one more

thing to do so I’ll give you one more couple money talks in our country every

couple money talks in our country every

couple money talks in our country every time you spend money you are casting a

time you spend money you are casting a

time you spend money you are casting a vote you vote with your dollars even

vote you vote with your dollars even

vote you vote with your dollars even your children can vote if you want your

your children can vote if you want your

your children can vote if you want your packaging produced in a way that is not

packaging produced in a way that is not

packaging produced in a way that is not harmful to you or to the environment

harmful to you or to the environment

harmful to you or to the environment take the time to tell businesses and

take the time to tell businesses and

take the time to tell businesses and corporations what you want was a

corporations what you want was a

corporations what you want was a consumer especially talk to local

consumer especially talk to local

consumer especially talk to local businesses person email write call them

businesses person email write call them

businesses person email write call them corporations are run by very smart

corporations are run by very smart

corporations are run by very smart people and they know that when you take

people and they know that when you take

people and they know that when you take the time to call them that you are

the time to call them that you are

the time to call them that you are representing a larger percent of

representing a larger percent of

representing a larger percent of halation that feels the same way so

halation that feels the same way so

halation that feels the same way so contacting them directly is a way to

contacting them directly is a way to

contacting them directly is a way to magnify your voice in your influence

tell them keep telling them until they

tell them keep telling them until they get momentum in our lifetimes mine and

get momentum in our lifetimes mine and

get momentum in our lifetimes mine and yours we will not ever be able to go

yours we will not ever be able to go

yours we will not ever be able to go back out into Earth’s greatest

back out into Earth’s greatest

back out into Earth’s greatest wilderness into the ocean without

wilderness into the ocean without

wilderness into the ocean without finding our plastic trash waiting for us

finding our plastic trash waiting for us

finding our plastic trash waiting for us there the little flecks of plastic that

there the little flecks of plastic that

there the little flecks of plastic that you see on the beach represent a global

you see on the beach represent a global

you see on the beach represent a global pollution we need solutions that are

pollution we need solutions that are

pollution we need solutions that are able to deal with the pollution that

able to deal with the pollution that

able to deal with the pollution that invades every part of everyone shared

invades every part of everyone shared

invades every part of everyone shared oceans plastic does not belong in the

oceans plastic does not belong in the

oceans plastic does not belong in the ocean