By Sarah Neal, Haddam Sustainability Committee
(February 10, 2025) — The production of plastics causes pollution at every step in the process, from the extraction of fossil fuels, to production and transportation, to the end product’s disposal. Plastics that are thrown out but not recycled go to landfills and incinerators, or they pollute our water and land resources. In addition, there are toxic chemicals in many plastics, and harmful plastic particles, called microplastics, can be found everywhere on earth – in our water, air, food, soil, and even our bodies.
Haddam sends its single stream recyclables, including acceptable plastics, to All-American Material Recovery Facility in Berlin, an impressive state of the art facility that is able to process more than fifty tons of recyclable materials in an hour. This sounds like a great solution, as this facility can recycle plastics at a much higher rate than the national statistic of 6% (2021). However, plastics are not indefinitely recyclable like glass and aluminum. They will continue to live on, being downcycled elsewhere, such as creating plastic lumber for decking or certain types of clothing, and eventually they degrade. Meanwhile the plastics and petrochemical industries plan to triple production of plastics by 2060, according to the Plastic Pollution Coalition.
Recycling is not the only answer to the plastics issue in our world. A better solution is to reduce our reliance on plastics. We consumers need to start changing our buying habits and sending a message to plastics manufacturers. This does not happen overnight, but here are ten tips to begin making a difference:
1. Carry a refillable water bottle, made from stainless steel or glass. Avoid buying and using anything that is a single use plastic, such as water bottles, which might have microplastics in the water.
- Bring cloth grocery bags to the store and use cloth produce bags. You can purchase cloth produce bags online, use something you already have, or even make your own.
- Store leftover food in the refrigerator in glass containers and jars. If you are going to freeze food, leave some space in the container for the food to expand and avoid using jars with narrow necks.
- Buy in bulk and store items in jars. You can even buy nuts, seeds, grains, and legumes, etc. from bulk bins and bring your own glass jars at Food Works in Old Saybrook. Have the cashier weigh your empty jar first and have the tare marked on it.
- Bring your own take-home containers to a restaurant. You can purchase metal ones or even a jar works.
- When looking to buy a large plastic item, such as children’s toys or outdoor furniture, consider second-hand options. Check out your local Buy Nothing Group or Facebook Marketplace. You might even find what you are looking for at the Haddam Transfer Station Swap Shack.
- Replace plastic wrap at home with beeswax wraps for covering food. You can also store food in a bowl with a plate for the lid.
- Make your own cleaning products with baking soda, vinegar, and other natural ingredients. Look online for recipes. This is better for you and the environment, and it avoids purchasing many products in plastic bottles.
- Shop at a farm stand or store that carries fresh, and, if possible, local fruits and vegetables that are not packaged in plastic. Remember to bring your produce and grocery bags!
- Think twice before purchasing something that is stored in a plastic bottle/bag or wrapped in plastic. Is there a more environmentally friendly solution? For example, buy bar soap instead of liquid soap, laundry strips instead of liquid laundry detergent in a plastic bottle. When buying grains or flours, look for brands packaged in paper, not plastic.
Bonus Tip: Plastics are ubiquitous in our lives. Don’t get overwhelmed with doing all the above. Start with one or two things that you can do.
