The Story of Plastic Virtual Film Screening and Discussion

Did you know that as much as 91% of plastics are not recycled? If present trends continue, there will be 12 billion metric tons of plastic in landfills by 2050… 35,000 times as heavy as the Empire State Building! There are many ways we can slow this trend, at an individual, community, and national level, for our own short-term health as well as long-term global health.

The Story of Plastic: Owning the Solutions on March 8, 7-8PM via Zoom allowed us to speak with three powerful women about the plastic crisis and discuss the role that each of us play in tackling pervasive use of plastic.

Take Action

Here is a simple waste audit to assess how much you dispose of each week.

Step 1: Set Up

Print (or better yet, write on scrap paper) the Weekly Waste Tracker Worksheet
Post this worksheet next to each waste receptacle with a pen/pencil
Encourage everyone in your house/office to get involved

Step 2: Track what you waste

Record items as you dispose of them. Which category do they fit into, and how are you disposing of them?
Tally how many of each item goes into the receptacle and notice which appear the most frequently.

Step 3: Review your waste at the end of the week

What was the most commonly disposed item? Which category surprised you?
How is your home set up to accommodate each category?

Step 4: Choose to reduce: a) Landfill waste b) Recyclable plastic c) Compostables d) Other Recyclables (feel free to minimize all waste, but every step counts!)

Which lifestyle change could you easily adopt to minimize this waste?

Step 5: Identify Goal

How much would you like to decrease your waste by?
Reach out to Bedford 2030 if you have questions on how to reduce or recycle properly.

Step 6: Repeat!

See if you can change your habits by shifting to reusables or choosing materials other than plastic.
Celebrate your success at taking Climate Action NOW! Share your progress with your friends, family and Bedford 2030!

More Advocacy Options

Read Plastics Are the New Coal and Plastic- The Elephant in the Climate Change Situation Room, Courtesy of Beyond Plastics, former Congressman Richard Ottinger and former EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck.

Visit https://www.storyofstuff.org/plastic/ for advocacy opportunities.

Urge members of Congress to co-sponsor the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021, holding producers responsible and reducing the amount of plastic we make, use once and throw away.

Sign your organization on to this letter to the NYS Assembly Speaker and Senate Majority Leader by Wednesday, March 16 at 5:00 PM. You can reach any state Assembly member by calling the Assembly Switchboard at 518 455 4100. The State Senate Switchboard is 518 455 2800.