The Plastic Crisis

And how it's poisoning our planet

❀ About me ❀

Hello! My name is Hannah Emile Ellis. I was born November 11th, 2002, in the southeast suburbs of Pennsylvania. I transferred to Holliston my freshman year. I am leading this project called "The Plastic Crisis" to raise money for better water quality within our school in order to cut back the amount of plastic waste. I have always been passionate about environmental awareness, and this project is just the start.

The plastic bottle crisis

✽ What is plastic? ✽

Plastic is a material that consists of a range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic compounds that are malleable and can be molded into solid objects.

For instance: Bottles, traffic cones, packing materials, trash bags, silverware, are all made from plastic.


Why is there a problem with plastic?

As a human species, we are generating more plastic trash than ever before. It's estimated that in 2015, around 55 percent of global plastic waste was discarded, 25 percent was incinerated, and 20 percent was recycled. Plastics and their byproducts are littering our cities, oceans, and waterways, and contributing to health problems in humans and animals.


The effect

There are trillions of plastic items that last forever in our landfills, rivers, lakes, and oceans. Plastic takes a long time to decompose and can leach toxic chemicals into our soil and water, which can have a negative impact on human health. In addition, wildlife can also be affected by plastic in their habitats. Very often, animals get entangled in plastic, mistake it for food, and in the process, they can choke or starve to death.


Why can’t we just get rid of plastic?

Because most plastic is not biodegradable.

What does biodegradable mean?

It is a substance that is capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms. Unfortunately, most of the time, plastic is not biodegradable.


How our poor water quality in our high school contributes to the problem:


Let’s face it- our water stinks.

This is a butterfly effect. Most people hate the water quality, and taste because of the lack of filters and maintenance. And because of the minerals in the water, which adds the odd taste. It isn’t bad for you, it just doesn’t taste right.




❀ For clarification, I put up a poll on social media, asking how the water quality was..these were the results. ❀

This forces us to buy bottled water.

Initially, it doesn’t sound bad. But buying more bottled water increases the amount of plastic waste we have in the school.


Elkay water fountains...and why we need them.

The Elkay bottle filling stations and drinking fountains not only have a filter, to rid of unneeded minerals, but has a number count of how many bottles you save each time it is used. This can make a huge impact.


My partnerships

Mr. Calais, featuring Holliston's band

Mr. Lack

HHS Environmental Club

MassDEP

The Art Department

I have been teaching for 23 years. I have numerous roles here at HHS. Primarily I am a Visual Art Teacher; specializing in 2D art. I teach mainly the advanced honors classes and support students wanting to study at an Art School post-graduation. I am also the Chair of the entire Arts Program, which includes Music and Theatre. I am the Art Club Advisor too, where I welcome any student whom is interested in enhancing their artmaking journey. Mostly however, I am here to serve as a mentor and friend. My moto is that “Art Saves Lives.” I mean that figuratively and literally because artmaking soothes the heart and soul. -Doug Lack

Mr. Calais, and HHS's band

My main gig here at HHS is working as a special education teacher. In this role I am tasked with helping students to learn how to learn while also supporting them in the adventure of becoming the versions of themselves they want to be! Out of my room I have also created the Morning Jam Café, a place where for over a decade students have been able to just show up and make music. Recently, we have had our "How To Save The World "sign up as a way to promote the notion that we need to ACT NOW to save the world. In my room I have also enjoyed creating a space where students can be comfortable and appreciate that I have a lamp problem.
 Cheers! -Doug Calais

MassDEP

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is an agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, responsible for protecting the environment in the state. Its areas of responsibility include preventing pollution of air, water, and ground; protecting wetlands; waste and recycling issues; regulating hazardous materials; and reducing climate change. The MassDEP ensures clean air, land and water. They oversee the safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes. Ensure the timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills. And they work to preserve the state's wetlands and coastal resources.

Action Plan:

Environmental Club

⚬ Environmental Club has been working hard on trying to get new water fountains for our school since last year. Since we both have the same goal, and they're struggling with the rest of the funding, I have decided to partner up with them to get the money that they need.

⚬ They have $500 so far, our goal is $1000.

⚬ I will still try to raise money for my own project, in the process, getting multiple water fountain dispensers for the school.


Reaching out to the MassDEP

⚬ I got ahold of a employee for "Waste and recycling" they can come in for a PSA during school.

Donations

⚬ I’m currently trying to set up a GOFUNDME and a donation jar. (See bottom of the page for more information)

Plastic Donations

⚬ I’m in the process of decorating a cardboard box for plastic bottles, so others can be drawn to it, and more likely to donate.

Volunteer work

⚬ I’m planning on setting up a sign-up sheet for ones who want to contribute, helping at the event we’re holding, and going around holliston and picking up litter. (See bottom of the page for more information)

The Event

⚬ Annually, Mr. Calais holds events in the school called the "Coffee House" event. With this, we arrange furniture like couches, chairs, tables, lamps, and things you would find in a home! We held a bake sale as well, and last year I did caricatures! We did this all to raise money.

⚬ The event so far, is scheduled to be December, 5th.

⚬ My plan was to, originally, hold my own event. Our Service Learning class figured out it would be easier for most of us to hold our own booths there.

My booth

⚬ I'm making a sea turtle out of the plastic bottles donated.

⚬ Mr. Lack is having the Art Department make decorations/streamers out of plastic materials

⚬ I will have my own art posters/prints out for sale.

⚬ I will also make resin charms for sell as well!


The Aftermath of the project:

The Coffee House Event

Selling the promo posters!

Selling the charms!

The Plastic Crisis Polymer Resin Charms

Step 1) I first mixed the hardener and polymer resin together and pour it into the molds.

Step 2) I poured a little resin on the back and put the i-pins on.

Step 3) Voila! After 24 hours left to cure its dry and finished.

Charm Facts

♡ These charms are made out of polymer resin

♡ This is Biodegradable.

♡ This is home-made.

♡ I hand-cut the tags, casted the I-pins onto the charms and hand attached the key chain loops. (So everything is hand crafted!)

♡ The money goes to The Environmental Club which funds the water fountains!

♡ If you can not afford these, prices are negotiable. All donations are appreciated.

Original Clear bottle charms

$5 each

White bottle charms

$3 each

Blue bottle charms

$3 each

Promotional Posters

Art Prints

99¢

99¢

99¢

Contact information:

Donations

-Reach out to me if you want to Donate! I made a Venmo page. Also consider buying charms!

Volunteers

Contact me if you want to volunteer for:

  • Picking up trash around Holliston.
  • If you're just interested in helping!


Sources Used

“Figure 2f from: Irimia R, Gottschling M (2016) Taxonomic Revision of Rochefortia Sw. (Ehretiaceae, Boraginales). Biodiversity Data Journal 4: e7720. Https://Doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.4.e7720.” doi:10.3897/bdj.4.e7720.figure2f.

Harris, William. “How Long Does It Take for Plastics to Biodegrade?” HowStuffWorks Science, HowStuffWorks, 28 June 2018, science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/everyday-myths/how-long-does-it-take-for-plastics-to-biodegrade.htm.

“THE PROBLEMS WITH PLASTICS.” Ecology Center, ecologycenter.org/plastics/.

“Why Doesn't Plastic Biodegrade?” LiveScience, Purch, www.livescience.com/33085-petroleum-derived-plastic-non-biodegradable.html.

“FAQs on Plastics.” Our World in Data, ourworldindata.org/faq-on-plastics.

“Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks, Faucets, Cabinets, Bottle Fillers, Drinking Fountains.” Elkay, www.elkay.com/.