About Million Pieces of Plastic
Join Sierra Club Massachusetts’ Toxics Team for a week of action! During Earth Week 2023 we will be sharing photos of the plastic pollution crisis from around the state and calling for bold actions to address this issue.
Background & Context
The Massachusetts Sierra Club has been advocating to reduce plastic pollution and possible exposure to toxics caused by single-use products from bags to beverage bottles.
- Plastic is versatile, lightweight, inexpensive, and impervious to water. These qualities explain why plastics can be found in such a wide variety of products we use every day.
- Recycling and post-consumer content are not enough to make plastics sustainable. The only way to permanently eliminate plastics is to find substitutes or burn them. (Burning is not sustainable either, even in a waste-to-energy facility.)
- Plastic production starts with the extraction of oil or gas and goes through a number of processes. Some processes add chemicals and resins which are not bound to the plastic polymer so they leach out; some processes release toxic substances and carcinogens into our water and air. It’s important to note that greenhouse gasses are emitted at every stage of the plastics life cycle, from refining, to production, to the ways plastic is managed as a waste product, where it’s contributing significantly to CO2 released into the atmosphere fueling climate change.
- Though individuals may change their buying habits with respect to plastic, the biggest impact comes from legislation, regulation, and influencing corporate funding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any plastic pollution you see out in the world! It could be on the side of the road, in a tree, in your yard, etc! Make sure the plastic is in focus, in the center of your image, and there isn’t too much going on in the background.
Here’s an example of a good photo:
No! The only required field is a municipality, so you can be as specific as you’d like beyond that. It can simply be the street name if you don’t want to give a full address.
There are many ways to take action! Sharing this opportunity with family and friends, getting involved with Sierra Club’s toxics team, and starting a single-use plastic ban in your town are just a few examples. Sign up for our mailing list below if you’d like to be sent direct action opportunities this week and beyond.
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