Have you ever tried to recycle cans in NYC? Try, and you will see it is much harder than you think. Majority of stores that sell them won’t buy them back. Bottle and can collection machines only accept some types of bottles and cans marked with NY 5 cent sign. I was ignorant about the problem.
I’m aware of the plastic pollution dilemma. Billions of tons of plastic end up in the ocean, landfills, and air. Microplastics are found in fish, animals, and humans. We can’t escape them. We don’t know what is their long-term effect on our health and bodies.
Some companies are trying to lower their plastic use, but that still doesn’t change the fact they we don’t recycle most plastics.
When I leaned about the March for Science, I felt compelled to join them. They were marching for environmental causes, including climate change. With slogans like “No more gas, no more oil, keep your carbon in the soil.
It would be hypocritical for me to say that I do everything I can to help the planet. I do drive to work, I do buy plastic bottles and food wrapped in plastics. In many cases, there are no alternatives. I don’t have a plot to grow my own food, I rely on grocery stores.
However, most of these issue can be easily solved with the right legislation and enforcement. Very few politicians care, but you can help to chose those that do. Vote!
Marta Grońska-Pęski 