The global population continues to grow, and so does plastic production. Since 1950, the human population has tripled, and plastic production has increased 130-fold. Production is on track to triple again by 2060.

Plastics never disappear. Instead, they break down into micro and nano plastic in the environment that can invade our waterways and harm wildlife.

These micro and nanoplastics end up in our bodies. New research is constantly coming out about a new body system plastics have invaded, including the brain. The brains of people with a history of Alzheimer's or dementia contained 5-10x  more plastic. Polyethylene, the predominant polymer in plastic bags, was also the predominant polymer found in the body across multiple studies.

Lung - May 2021

Meconium - June 2021

Sputum - Jan 2022

Blood - May 2022

Breast Milk - June 2022 

Liver - Aug 2022

Urine - Dec 2022

Veins - Feb 2023

Testes/Semen - March 2023

Heart Tissue - Aug 2023

Kidney - Feb 2024

Eliminating plastic will require action at multiple levels in every sector. As consumers, we can attack the low-hanging fruit: single-use plastic bags. Affordable alternatives are readily available and require only a slight lifestyle adjustment.

Casella, a waste management company, proposes that plastics recycling can advance through the implementation of legislative initiatives, including plastics bans and encouraging the use of reusable products. Read their one-page resource.

"Casella supports the expansion of plastic bans for plastic bags and banning plastic plates, cups, utensils, straws, and take-out containers."

Twelve states and over 500 cities and towns have plastic bag ordinances in effect. In New England, New Hampshire is an outlier for its lack of action on plastic bans.

Paper of plastic? Read this one-page resource to learn why "neither" is the answer!

"There is an external cost to provide free plastic bags not just to the environment, but also to taxpayers and businesses."