Plastic Pollution Initiative - After Action ReportMississippi River City and Town Initiative
For the month of October, numerous organizations in the QC region participated in citizen scientist data collection. Those of us in the Environmental Forum participated in collecting litter and submitting information about the specifics to the Marine Debris Tracker app on our phones. Staff at the University of Georgia, National Geographic, and the United Nations Environment Programme analyzed the data and provided an overview at a Zoom conference on November 17th. Data was collected from 6476 volunteers, who collected debris from an area equivalent to over 10,000 football fields. Significant take-aways included that the largest sources of litter were cigarette butts and food wrappers, with 76% of the material being made of plastic. What will be done with this data depends in large part upon our city commitments to reduce litter, particularly plastic litter. Ideas discussed at the meeting included modifying city contracts with mowing companies, who may not always clear trash before mowing. The trash is then chopped into little pieces, which then permeates our soil and water. There was also discussion of expanding Keep America Beautiful projects, and increasing the number of trash and recycling receptacles all around our communities. If you are interested in working on a litter campaign, contact the Environmental Forum. Lori McCollum What happened at COP26? - Green Drinks |
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America Recycles Day – November 15th
November Environmental Celebration
America Recycles Day was created by the Keep America Beautiful organization in 1997. Each year on November 15th, millions of people participate by raising awareness of recycling, and by purchasing recycled products. Corporate America has done a pretty good job of recycling paper (66%) and aluminum (65%). However, plastic producers and retailers aren’t doing as well, recycling only 9% of plastic products. Part of the problem is that only plastic products with Plastic Recycling numbers 1 and 2 have a strong market for recycling. The other numbers rarely get recycled. Another problem is that recycling is difficult for some residents without curbside options. Recently, the Rock Island County Waste Management Agency eliminated their four drop-off recycling centers, which had successfully diverted nearly 1000 tons of material from the landfill.
Some states recycle up to 75% of their waste, but Iowa and Illinois only recycle 44% and 37%, respectively. We can, and must do better. Materials that are not recycled are taking up landfill space, and are wasted potential resources. According to the EPA, recycling and reuse activities in the U.S. account for 681,000 jobs, $5.5 billion in tax revenues, and $37.8 billion in wages. Recycling also prevents pollution and saves energy.
Take Action Steps
Lori McCollum
Some states recycle up to 75% of their waste, but Iowa and Illinois only recycle 44% and 37%, respectively. We can, and must do better. Materials that are not recycled are taking up landfill space, and are wasted potential resources. According to the EPA, recycling and reuse activities in the U.S. account for 681,000 jobs, $5.5 billion in tax revenues, and $37.8 billion in wages. Recycling also prevents pollution and saves energy.
Take Action Steps
- If you aren’t recycling, start now. It’s easy and reduces your trash. You might be able to use a smaller trash bin, which would reduce your monthly fee.
- Keep recyclables clean and dry, and empty and flatten cardboard. Keep plastic bags and wraps out of the recycling bin. They get caught in the machinery that sorts the products.
- Special products, such as lithium-ion batteries should not go into recycling bins. They require hazardous waste collection points. Regular alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries are usually collected at participating retailers, because they contain metals which can pose a threat to human health or the environment.
- Another way to reduce waste is to reuse products, or reduce purchases in the first place.
- Ask your city/county public works department to add recycling containers in local parks, and check on recycling programs in your workplace.
- Support companies that offer recycling options for their products, such as Crayola, Calphalon Cookware, Nike, Canon, Amazon Kindle, MAC Cosmetics, Crocs, and Brita.
- Recycle your food waste by composting instead of dumping it in the landfill.
Lori McCollum
November Green Drinks via Zoom
Tuesday, November 2nd at 5:00 pm
Environmental Forum
Kathy Wine from River Action, Inc. is going to speak to us at our November Green Drinks on Tuesday, November 2nd at 5:00 pm.. She'll share with us the work that River Action staff and members have been doing to improve the waterways in the Quad Cities.
Please R.S.V.P. at zoom.us/meeting/register/
Susan Leuthauser
Kathy Wine from River Action, Inc. is going to speak to us at our November Green Drinks on Tuesday, November 2nd at 5:00 pm.. She'll share with us the work that River Action staff and members have been doing to improve the waterways in the Quad Cities.
Please R.S.V.P. at zoom.us/meeting/register/
Susan Leuthauser
Letter of Concern to Mayor Rayapati - After Action Report
Environmental Forum
On September 16th, an article in the Argus/Dispatch caught our attention because it noted that the city of Moline was “…examining bottling and selling the city’s award-winning water…”. Members of the PACG Environmental Forum sent a letter of concern noting that single-use plastics are a source of pollution from the point of creation to the point of disposal. We pointed out that there are many health concerns related to the chemicals that leach from plastics into food sources and cause health problems, and we encouraged Mayor Rayapati to consider a different way of providing their water to interested parties, such as using 5 gallon refillable water dispensers.
We also complimented the City of Moline on other environmental policies such as providing each homeowner with a recycling bin and supporting the Metrolink solar project and electric buses. Further, we noted that Moline’s representative to the Rock Island County Waste Management Agency’s Board was one of only two votes to maintain the drop-off recycling centers.
The mayor answered our email the next day with a thoughtful response, stating, “Thank you very much for bringing your viewpoints to our attention. They are valid and definitely need to be considered as we try to be environmentally aware in not only intention but in action. Thank you for recognizing our work to this point as well. Please feel free to reach out with more ideas for alternatives to single-use water bottling as you think of them.”
It was heartening to get a timely response, and to hear recognition of our concerns. We would like to find a way to be proactive in learning about other Quad City municipal actions that impact our local environment. If you become aware of local projects that impact our environment, either positively or negatively, please let our forum know, and we will reach out to the appropriate city staff.
Lori McCollum
On September 16th, an article in the Argus/Dispatch caught our attention because it noted that the city of Moline was “…examining bottling and selling the city’s award-winning water…”. Members of the PACG Environmental Forum sent a letter of concern noting that single-use plastics are a source of pollution from the point of creation to the point of disposal. We pointed out that there are many health concerns related to the chemicals that leach from plastics into food sources and cause health problems, and we encouraged Mayor Rayapati to consider a different way of providing their water to interested parties, such as using 5 gallon refillable water dispensers.
We also complimented the City of Moline on other environmental policies such as providing each homeowner with a recycling bin and supporting the Metrolink solar project and electric buses. Further, we noted that Moline’s representative to the Rock Island County Waste Management Agency’s Board was one of only two votes to maintain the drop-off recycling centers.
The mayor answered our email the next day with a thoughtful response, stating, “Thank you very much for bringing your viewpoints to our attention. They are valid and definitely need to be considered as we try to be environmentally aware in not only intention but in action. Thank you for recognizing our work to this point as well. Please feel free to reach out with more ideas for alternatives to single-use water bottling as you think of them.”
It was heartening to get a timely response, and to hear recognition of our concerns. We would like to find a way to be proactive in learning about other Quad City municipal actions that impact our local environment. If you become aware of local projects that impact our environment, either positively or negatively, please let our forum know, and we will reach out to the appropriate city staff.
Lori McCollum
QC Environmental Film Series - "The Story of Plastic"
Sunday, October 17th at 2:00 pm
225 W. 2nd St.
Davenport, IA 52801 (map)
River Action, Nahant Marsh, the Joyce & Tony Singh Family Foundation
and the Jewish Federation of the QC
The Story of Stuff QC Environmental Film Series continues with the 2021 Emmy Award Winning Documentary "The Story of Plastic." On September 29th, this incredible film wasawarded a News and Documentary Emmy in the category of Outstanding Writing. Deia Schlosberg, director of the film – which unpacks the full extent of the global plastic pollution crisis – accepted the award on behalf of the crew involved in its production.
From the Story of Stuff website: "Our first feature-length documentary, The Story of Plastic is a searing expose revealing the ugly truth behind plastic pollution and the false solution of plastic recycling. Different from every other plastic documentary you’ve seen, The Story of Plastic presents a cohesive timeline of how we got to our current global plastic pollution crisis and how the oil and gas industry has successfully manipulated the narrative around it. From the extraction of fossil fuels and plastic disposal to the global resistance fighting back, The Story of Plastic is a life-changing film depicting one of the world’s most pressing environmental issues."
Admission at the Figge is $5. Tickets may be purchased at riveraction.org or before the movie. The Figge requires masks be worn, and seating will be limited.
The host and talk back speaker for this showing is Kathy Morris, Executive Director Waste Commission of Scott County/iLivehere Quad Cities.
The QC Environmental Film Series is sponsored by River Action, Nahant Marsh, The Joyce & Tony Singh Family Foundation, and The Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities.
Lori McCollum
Davenport, IA 52801 (map)
River Action, Nahant Marsh, the Joyce & Tony Singh Family Foundation
and the Jewish Federation of the QC
The Story of Stuff QC Environmental Film Series continues with the 2021 Emmy Award Winning Documentary "The Story of Plastic." On September 29th, this incredible film wasawarded a News and Documentary Emmy in the category of Outstanding Writing. Deia Schlosberg, director of the film – which unpacks the full extent of the global plastic pollution crisis – accepted the award on behalf of the crew involved in its production.
From the Story of Stuff website: "Our first feature-length documentary, The Story of Plastic is a searing expose revealing the ugly truth behind plastic pollution and the false solution of plastic recycling. Different from every other plastic documentary you’ve seen, The Story of Plastic presents a cohesive timeline of how we got to our current global plastic pollution crisis and how the oil and gas industry has successfully manipulated the narrative around it. From the extraction of fossil fuels and plastic disposal to the global resistance fighting back, The Story of Plastic is a life-changing film depicting one of the world’s most pressing environmental issues."
Admission at the Figge is $5. Tickets may be purchased at riveraction.org or before the movie. The Figge requires masks be worn, and seating will be limited.
The host and talk back speaker for this showing is Kathy Morris, Executive Director Waste Commission of Scott County/iLivehere Quad Cities.
The QC Environmental Film Series is sponsored by River Action, Nahant Marsh, The Joyce & Tony Singh Family Foundation, and The Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities.
Lori McCollum