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Date
This blog is usually about big things, like converting oil rigs to reefs, or aligning projects and programs with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This time it’s about you. In particular, it’s about your feet. Well, not really your feet, literally, but your plastic footprint, and some personal, small projects that can help you reduce your plastic impact.
I came across a fantastic article (paired with a podcast from NPR’s Life Kit) which you can read – and play – from this link. You will find a 24-minute audio clip right there, and/or you can read the article, entitled: The Plastic Problem Isn't Your Fault, But You Can Be Part Of The Solution. From my experience, most project managers are problem solvers and love to be part of a solution – so, read on. The United States was responsible for more plastic trash than any country in the world, says the article, that's millions and millions of tons of plastic waste. Per capita, that boils down to nearly 300 pounds of plastic trash per person(!) per year.
In summary, because you can derive the steps and background from the article, it’s about 6 steps, which are only slightly dependent on each other, in fact much of it can be done in parallel, some of which are intended to be ongoing (so not really a project, but a steady-state operation).
The six steps are:
- Do your research
- Do an audit
- Look for sustainable swaps
- Be a conscientious recycler
- Check locally
- Make some noise
I expand these below in outline form:
- Do your research
- Know the story behind the plastics you use. They are likely derived from fossil fuels and may have a bigger impact than you think, on you and your neighbors. For example, (from the article) Yvette Arellano runs an environmental justice organization called Fenceline Watch. It's an advocacy group based in Houston that helps communities of color and low-income neighborhoods disproportionately affected by petrochemical pollution from facilities congregating along Houston's Ship Channel.
- Do an audit
- As project managers we know all about this – getting a baseline, or grasping the current state, so we can better target a future state. How much plastics, and of which types, are you using now, and how are they disposed of?
- Start in the kitchen and the bathroom. The bathroom can be a festival of plastic especially if you are using shampoos, conditioners, body wash, exfoliating liquids, skin lotions. In many cases, you may be able to simplify and/or reduce. In the kitchen, consider condiment bottles, plastic wrapping, snack or chip bags, even packaging of vegetables.
- Look for sustainable swaps (see animated photo at bottom)
- Look at the items on your plastic inventory list and ask yourself, "What can I replace the plastic with?". A bar of soap may do the same thing as many of those lotions. You can buy bundled instead of plastic-wrapped vegetables. Consider reusable containers for tea, coffee, and water. The article has further suggestions.
- Be a conscientious recycler
- Have you ever “wishcycled”? That means you have something plastic in your hand, not knowing if it is really recyclable in your location, so you drop it in and wish that it is? Avoid that by digging in and discovering the facts. They exist! As project managers we instinctively know to work from facts and minimize assumptions, so this is in our wheelhouse. Wish-cycling may alleviate some of your guilt, but it clogs up the recycling system and makes recycling more expensive. When in doubt, find out or leave it out.
- Check locally
- As above – validate what works in your specific area. And check periodically to see if the rules have changed. Like project scheduling, recycling guidelines are dynamic.
- Make some noise
- Here I will paraphrase from the article: If you bring home a product you like, but its package isn't recyclable (in general or in your area), tell companies how you feel, because companies are listening more than ever before.
- Use the comment section on a company's website or its social media accounts. Harrison suggests you tell them, "I like your product, but I'm worried about this label. Is it recyclable? Ask them. Wait for an answer." Let them know that you care about this as a customer.
And finally (this is not one of the six steps, but it’s still important): Don’t beat yourself up over this. Do what you can, but realize that you are but one pair of plastic footprints.
Posted
by
Richard Maltzman
on: July 14, 2021 09:41 PM |
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