Ireland is the top producer of plastic waste in the European Union, according to the latest Eurostat figures. The statistics show that of Europe’s top five plastic waste offenders , Ireland is top of the pile, producing 61 kilogrammes per person, per year.
It seems quite ironic that Ireland was the first country in Europe to introduce the plastic bag tax back in 2002 and yet now we’re taking more plastic packaging home (in our reusable shopping bags) than anyone else in Europe.
Plastic pollution - whether in our oceans, piling up on our coastlines, or contributing to our climate crisis, impacts vulnerable communities first. Even if plastic doesn’t end up in the ocean, our recycled plastic was until very recently exported to China to process. But the sheer amount of plastic waste inundates communities until they are drowning under thousands of tons of plastic trash. This is the case particularly in Southeast Asia, which has begun to import much of the plastic that used to go to China for recycling. Not only does the waste destroy the land itself but when plastic is incinerated (as is the case for non recyclable plastic at some illegal facilities) its toxic fumes quickly become a health hazard for residents, leading to everything from skin rashes to cancer. Such is the case with many environmental crises: the worst effects are pushed onto overburdened communities with the fewest resources to fight back.
Irish landfill sites are overflowing with plastic refuse as China and other countries refuse to take our waste and Ireland finds itself with the worrying scenario of a virtually non-existent recycling infrastructure. In response to this People Against Plastic was founded by two artists Annie holland and Marc Rome in 2019 to create awareness about the enormity of the problem, offer solutions and encourage communities to put pressure on industry and government decision makers to take action on single use plastic.
2020 was the first time first time in history, that man made material outweighed all life on Earth and scientists are calling it a 'crossover point' at which humanity's footprint is heavier than that of the natural world.
It seems quite ironic that Ireland was the first country in Europe to introduce the plastic bag tax back in 2002 and yet now we’re taking more plastic packaging home (in our reusable shopping bags) than anyone else in Europe.
Plastic pollution - whether in our oceans, piling up on our coastlines, or contributing to our climate crisis, impacts vulnerable communities first. Even if plastic doesn’t end up in the ocean, our recycled plastic was until very recently exported to China to process. But the sheer amount of plastic waste inundates communities until they are drowning under thousands of tons of plastic trash. This is the case particularly in Southeast Asia, which has begun to import much of the plastic that used to go to China for recycling. Not only does the waste destroy the land itself but when plastic is incinerated (as is the case for non recyclable plastic at some illegal facilities) its toxic fumes quickly become a health hazard for residents, leading to everything from skin rashes to cancer. Such is the case with many environmental crises: the worst effects are pushed onto overburdened communities with the fewest resources to fight back.
Irish landfill sites are overflowing with plastic refuse as China and other countries refuse to take our waste and Ireland finds itself with the worrying scenario of a virtually non-existent recycling infrastructure. In response to this People Against Plastic was founded by two artists Annie holland and Marc Rome in 2019 to create awareness about the enormity of the problem, offer solutions and encourage communities to put pressure on industry and government decision makers to take action on single use plastic.
2020 was the first time first time in history, that man made material outweighed all life on Earth and scientists are calling it a 'crossover point' at which humanity's footprint is heavier than that of the natural world.
WE MUST ACT NOW!
RESIST | REUSE | REFUSE TO USE...
RESIST | REUSE | REFUSE TO USE...
What can we do right now to start avoiding Single-Use Plastics
Individual choices and the collective shifts they bring about add up quickly. Making just one simple swap, like purchasing a reusable water bottle, can spare the environment hundreds of plastic bottles each year. Here are a few more tips for ridding your life (and your community) of single-use plastics for good.
*Always pack a reusable bag when shopping.
(And yes, reusable totes are better for the environment than plastics, recent media claims aside.)
*Cook more often, to reduce your use of plastic-heavy takeout containers.
*Buy in bulk - Avoid individually packaged goods, like snack packs.
*Avoid plastic wrap altogether by storing leftovers in reusable containers. Try reusable and compostable beeswax wrap for an easy and decorative option.
*Buy a metal or bamboo reusable straw. Pack it alongside reusable cutlery (like wood, bamboo, or metal chopsticks) for sustainable eating on the go.
*Talk to the owners of the restaurants you frequent. Ask if they have non-plastic alternatives to plastic straws, stirrers, or bags.
*Speak out in support of local plastic bans, whether by calling your local government representative or simply starting conversations with neighbours.
*Let companies that make your favourite products know that you care about the packaging. Tweet, call, or send letters to these companies to ask them to switch to more durable, recyclable, compostable, renewable, and/or recycled-content packaging with less fossil fuel–derived plastic.
*Join the Friends of the Earth initiative - Sick of Plastic mailing list: www.foe.ie/sickofplastic/join-the-campaign.html
(And yes, reusable totes are better for the environment than plastics, recent media claims aside.)
*Cook more often, to reduce your use of plastic-heavy takeout containers.
*Buy in bulk - Avoid individually packaged goods, like snack packs.
*Avoid plastic wrap altogether by storing leftovers in reusable containers. Try reusable and compostable beeswax wrap for an easy and decorative option.
*Buy a metal or bamboo reusable straw. Pack it alongside reusable cutlery (like wood, bamboo, or metal chopsticks) for sustainable eating on the go.
*Talk to the owners of the restaurants you frequent. Ask if they have non-plastic alternatives to plastic straws, stirrers, or bags.
*Speak out in support of local plastic bans, whether by calling your local government representative or simply starting conversations with neighbours.
*Let companies that make your favourite products know that you care about the packaging. Tweet, call, or send letters to these companies to ask them to switch to more durable, recyclable, compostable, renewable, and/or recycled-content packaging with less fossil fuel–derived plastic.
*Join the Friends of the Earth initiative - Sick of Plastic mailing list: www.foe.ie/sickofplastic/join-the-campaign.html
Now that we are in a time where there are no festivals taking place, maybe its time to reflect on things that we COULD change – wouldn’t it be great to never see heart-breaking festival aftermath pictures like this again? Are Irish festivals going to confront this problem - or once again stick their heads in the mountain of rubbish whilst counting their soiled profits.
Here's an idea...As it seems that many of the folks attending EP have a total and utter disregard for their own space, then let's throw the responsibility back at the Electric Picnic itself. To tackle the cheap tents, cheap sleeping bags and throwaway culture - charge an entry deposit of 25 Euro per person, returnable when evidence is shown on departure, of sleeping bags, mats and tents being taken away.
Yes, yes but how much more time and money this would take...
You have the profits and even if you lose a number of previous customers, you may well gain new ones who will only admire the stance that EP has taken to tackle its dirty post-festival image.
Here's an idea...As it seems that many of the folks attending EP have a total and utter disregard for their own space, then let's throw the responsibility back at the Electric Picnic itself. To tackle the cheap tents, cheap sleeping bags and throwaway culture - charge an entry deposit of 25 Euro per person, returnable when evidence is shown on departure, of sleeping bags, mats and tents being taken away.
Yes, yes but how much more time and money this would take...
You have the profits and even if you lose a number of previous customers, you may well gain new ones who will only admire the stance that EP has taken to tackle its dirty post-festival image.
