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No Plastic Challenge: A simple eco-gesture every day to reduce our plastic consumption

Plastic production has increased 20 times in 50 years, according to the World Economic Forum.

The NoPlasticChallenge is back for its sixth edition. For a month, citizens, businesses and voluntary NGOs pledge to reduce their plastic consumption. This year, the event takes place in a particular context: Chicago welcomes 175 States to make progress on an international treaty against plastic pollution.

Ready? Let’s go! The NoPlasticChallenge operation – launched by the NGO No Plastic in my Sea – is back for the sixth consecutive year. The objective: to adopt a different eco-gesture every day during this period, in order to reduce our plastic consumption.

Created a few years ago by citizens in love with the sea, the association certainly supports the collection of waste on the beaches, but it also proposes to act at the source. Understand: at the level of the production and consumption of plastic.

400 organizations signed up for the NoPlasticChallenge

Eco-gestures are relayed this year by some 400 organizations (companies, communities, sports clubs, etc.) across Illinois. Schools – represented by teachers but also by class eco-representatives – also participate in the NoPlasticChallenge, whether during the highlight of the operation or at other times of the year. An online questionnaire also allows everyone to assess their plastic footprint in just a few minutes.

If the concept has not changed since its launch in 2018, the NoPlasticChallenge opens this year in a particular context. Chicago will welcome 175 States to progress on the content of an international treaty against plastic pollution which will be definitively completed at the end of 2024. This 2nd phase of negotiation is essential, because it will make it possible to work on the major options of this treaty and to draw the ambition of the text, underlines the association in a press release.

International treaty against plastic pollution: what are the stakes of the negotiations

The health risks associated with exposure to plastic

For its 5th edition in 2022, the association had decided to focus on the health issue, because several recent studies had shown the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics (plastic particles whose size is respectively of the order of millionth and billionth of a meter) in the human body. Compounds from plastic waste, but also plastic particles in the air, resulting for example from the friction of tires on the roads… To better navigate among the scientific studies devoted to the effects of plastic on our health, the NGO had produced a summary accessible online.

This non-exhaustive summary, based on reports from the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), the Plastic Soup Foundation, organizer of the annual Plastic and Health congress, and the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and listing studies published in recognized scientific journals, drew up an alarming assessment.

According to the various studies analyzed, exposure to micro and nano plastics, as well as to their chemical additives, can have inflammatory effects and disruptive effects on the endocrine, digestive, respiratory and immune systems, with significant risks in terms of terms of pathologies, reduced fertility, and even neuro-developmental damage (development of the nervous system of babies and children, Editor’s note).

Fortunately, the NGO already noted an awareness and a “change of scale at European level”. Indeed, the European Union was then in the process of banning entire families of chemical substances that are very widespread but harmful to health, such as the group of PVCs, plastics used in a wide range of products (toys, food packaging, textiles , shoes, furniture….), as well as their additives – phthalates, PFAS, heavy metals.

5 eco-actions to adopt now to reduce plastic

If an eco-gesture will be highlighted every day, here are already 5 ideas of behaviors to adopt today to protect the planet while taking care of our health:

• Always carry a water bottle with you. Plastic bottles are the number one single-use item of waste found on beaches in the European Union. Some schools have included the water bottle in the list of school supplies: a very good idea!
• Ventilate the rooms. A gesture that we talk a lot about in relation to the Covid, but which also represents an eco-gesture allowing to evacuate the plastic in suspension in the air.
• Buy food in bulk as much as possible. Failing this, favor recyclable and/or eco-design packaging.
• Do not reheat dishes in a plastic container. With heat, plastic particles can migrate into food.
• In companies, provide cups for employees. Cardboard cups contain a thin layer of waterproofing plastic, which is currently non-recyclable.

the cost of renting a dumpster in Chicago

it is a good idea for Chicago residents to rent a dumpster when they have too much junk to discard in their home or office. Waste management companies providing these dumpster rental services will make sure they all the trash will be sent to a recycling facility, for the part that is recyclable.

Renting a dumpster in Chicago comes with a range of costs that depend on several factors. The primary variables that influence the cost of dumpster rental include the size of the dumpster, the rental duration, the type of waste being disposed of, and any additional services required.

For smaller projects like home cleanouts or small renovations, a 10 to 15 cubic yard dumpster might be sufficient, with costs typically ranging from $250 to $400 for a week-long rental. Larger projects, such as major renovations or construction, may necessitate a 20 to 40 cubic yard dumpster, which can cost anywhere from $400 to $800 or more for a week.

However, these costs are just the base rental fees. Additional charges might arise for exceeding weight limits, extending the rental period, or disposing of specific types of waste like electronics or hazardous materials. It’s essential to clarify these potential extra charges with the rental company upfront.

The choice of rental company can also impact the cost. Prices can vary between providers due to factors such as location, reputation, and included services like delivery and pickup. It’s advisable to gather quotes from several companies to compare costs effectively, such as Chicago Dumpster Rental Now and others.

Ultimately, the cost of renting a dumpster in Chicago is influenced by a blend of project specifics, rental terms, waste type, and chosen rental company. Careful consideration of these factors can help ensure an accurate budget estimate and a smoother waste disposal process.

In A Dumpster, What Can You Throw Away? 

There are, a number of restrictions on what can and cannot be disposed of in municipal dumpsters in Mt Pleasant.

You could be fined if you throw things like whole tires or hazardous substances into a dumpster. To add insult to injury, you may be breaking your rental agreement if you place certain items in the dumpster.

It’s better to sharpen up your dumpster rules knowledge although if you believe you’re confident because you never know what you’re going to find. Check this Mt Pleasant junk disposal guide for more information.

There are a few things you can and cannot throw into the trash can.

Dumpsters Can Be Used To Dispose Of A Wide Range Of Non-Hazardous Waste And Trash. Among These Are:

Alkaline Batteries

If you’d prefer, you can drop off your old batteries at your local recycling center. 

Single-use batteries were recycled for many years, and many people may remember that remembrance. Until the mid-1990s, alkaline batteries have been manufactured with mercury, a harmful chemical, which is why they’re considered hazardous.

Alkaline batteries can now be disposed of in a dumpster because they no longer meet state and federal benchmarks for household hazardous materials.

Debris From Construction And Home Improvement

A dumpster is a convenient place to dispose of nearly all construction waste. The following are included in this list:

• Asphalt
• fixtures in a restroom
• Brick
• Concrete
• Cabinetry
• Countertops
• Drywall
• Tiles
• Flooring
• Wood and wood-based products
• Stone
• Siding
• A subfloor’s materials

You may have to rent a reinforced dumpster unless your materials are particularly heavy.

Appliances That Are Drained

In order to dispose of appliances such as washers, dryers, and air conditioners in a dumpster, they would also have to have all dangerous fluids, as well as components, removed. In order to dispose of them without draining them, a professional must be hired.

Freon must be drained from refrigerators before they could even go into dumpsters, so it’s often more convenient to pay to just have them removed.

Computers And Other Electronic Devices

Individual household electronics can usually be thrown in a dumpster at a service location. Having to clean out such an office or having a large number of electronics to somehow get rid of will almost certainly necessitate recycling them as e-waste.

Empty Aerosol Cans

Empty aerosol cans, such as those used for hairspray and nonstick cooking spray, are safe to dispose of in a dumpster. There is a risk of an aerosol can exploding if it is even partially full.

Junk In The House

A dumpster can be used to dispose of any non-hazardous household trash in Mt Pleasant like plastics. It is defined as any good or service that “can burst into flames, react, as well as explode that under some circumstances,” as well as “corrosive and toxic,” by the Environmental Protection Agency.

In addition to regular garbage, furniture, yard materials such as shingles or siding and construction debris are instances of nonhazardous household junk.

Furniture Made Of Wood

For the most part, wood furniture can be thrown away. It is safe to dispose of wood-based furniture such as chairs, cabinets, tables, shelves, as well as other items.

Furniture that is covered in fabric, such as couches, armchairs, and so on, is subject to various rules depending on where you live. To learn more about disposing furniture, search online.

Garbage From The Yard

Things like branches, brush, leaves, storm debris, as well as other environmental flotsam that you find in your yard can be disposed of in a dumpster because they were there first.

Each person produces an average of 590 kilos of waste per year. It’s a lot!

And that’s twice as much as forty years ago. This is a problem, because a lot of this waste ends up in nature and pollutes the environment.

Fortunately, solutions exist to reduce our waste.

Every second in the world, humans produce more than 100 tonnes of waste, the weight of 20 elephants.

And when it is stored in landfills, dumped in the oceans or burnt, this garbage pollutes. With a few simple actions, however, it is possible to put our trash cans on a diet.

So how do you manage to throw away less?

Throwing less means, first of all, wasting less. Buying in small quantities helps avoid throwing away stale foods that you haven’t eaten.

Another tip: prefer products with less plastic or cardboard packaging.

And check that a product is finished before replacing it. Every year, 70,000 tonnes of toothpaste left in the bottom of the tube is needlessly wasted.

When it comes time to throw away, we have fun sorting so as not to put all our waste in the big trash can. Peelings, dry bread or eggshells: go to the composter.

In a container, you can turn into fertilizer for the plants. Paper, cardboard, glass or plastic are put in special containers for recycling.

Light bulbs, batteries and electronic equipment are deposited in terminals, at the entrance of many stores. So, little by little, the trash that used to receive all our waste is shrinking, shrinking… It is a collective challenge.

And it is in this spirit that the European Week for Waste Reduction is being organized in November.

What is the point of recycling?

In one year, humans produce 2 billion tonnes of waste. And that number keeps increasing! Fortunately, more and more countries are recycling… and so are you!

But what is it for exactly? And how is this recycling going?

Globally, 2 billion tonnes of waste are produced each year and this figure is steadily increasing. So, it is urgent to act.

Recycling is one of the solutions, as a waste management service. The principle is to use an object that has been thrown away, to participate in the manufacture of a new product.

Recycling thus partly preserves the planet’s resources and also reduces the pollution of treated waste. Not to mention that tons of waste are thrown into nature.

But how is the recycling going?

First of all, each waste must be placed in the correct bin so that it is sent to a sorting center.

The waste is then selected on a conveyor belt and then sent to specialized factories for processing. Thus, with 27 plastic bottles, you can make a sweater and it takes more than a hundred cans to make a scooter.

Recycling is not the silver bullet, however. For example, only 9% of plastic is recycled in the world. So how do you recycle more?

When buying, choose materials that are best recycled, such as glass or cardboard. You can help yourself with this logo indicated on recyclable objects.

But above all, you have to think before buying a product, see if you really need it and if a broken object can be repaired. Through these simple actions, we can together contribute to preserving the planet.

In the oceans, the effects of plastic on animals and the environment are devastating. At the rate at which this polluting is going, we only have a limited time to protect our own species before it is too late.

Plastic is a product that must be controlled to avoid this waste management crisis. The ease of use of plastic objects is not an excuse to explain the current environmental crisis.

The first effect of plastic waste is a visual impact: waste washed up on the banks of rivers, beaches, heaps of floating objects at sea … But some less directly visible effects are also more severe.

The so-called “ghost” nets, abandoned or accidentally lost, very resistant, are a significant cause of mortality in animals; NGOs and associations estimate 100,000 the number of marine mammals and a million that of birds that die by strangulation or suffocation in these traps around the world each year.

The ingestion of plastic waste by animals

Another cause of death is the ingestion of plastic waste, which affects around 660 species. Seabirds bite the floating pieces of plastic, and turtles mistake them for jellyfish.

Large baleen cetaceans filter seawater, ingesting large amounts of microplastics. Molluscs, such as mussels, filter m3 of water containing microparticles.

Plankton, invertebrates, or small fish can also ingest Micro-waste. The ingestion rate remains very anecdotal for the species consumed (less than 0.01% of commercial fish), and there is no trace of it on our plates.

Because if micro-waste can block the digestive and respiratory systems of specific individuals, they are not digested due to the lack of suitable enzymatic equipment.

Due to their components (plasticizers, additives) and the possible rejection of adsorbed contaminants, plastics are also suspected of being a source of water contamination.

But in reality, the concentrations measured are too low for the substances released during their degradation to constitute a significant risk of toxicity. The rate of chemical contaminants (PCBs, pesticides, etc.) remains limited, but more dangerous for the filtering of marine organisms that accumulate them.

Transport of invasive species via plastic

For some health experts, the real danger is the alteration of the balance of ecosystems caused by the transport of invasive species over long distances.

How can we not consider as a significant problem the arrival of 54 new species on the coasts of Canada, fixed on large debris, having circulated in the North Pacific for months after the 2011 tsunami in Japan?

Particular waste materials and various debris are indeed active floating supports for bacteria (specific pathogens for marine organisms such as for humans, vibrios for example), single-celled or invertebrates, worms, insects … capable of acclimatizing in an area other than their original biotope, particularly in relation to climate change.

Just thinking of all the waste management services that are required to clean out this overwhelming pollution could make anyone’s head spin! We must stop creating so much junk so that we have a clean planet and not a mess.

The discovery of the insect Halobates sericeus living on floating plastics in the Pacific is a perfect illustration of this. A study carried out in 2005 showed that the spread of species in subtropical waters almost doubled due to debris. It has tripled in temperate waters.

Not enough studies have been performed on this novel topic, but the risk is there, with its environmental, health and economic consequences (invasive algae, bacteria in oyster or fish farming areas …).

Epidemiological studies carried out since the 1990s have highlighted statistical relationships between indicators of exposure to atmospheric pollutants and the occurrence of excess health events in the population. Toxicological studies have provided explanatory clues to these statistical relationships, by proposing action mechanisms specific to pollutants commonly encountered in the atmosphere. The concordance and coherence of these studies helped to substantiate the causal nature of the effects of air pollutants on health.

Short-term effects are health effects that occur within minutes to weeks after exposure to pollutants. Several hundred works, carried out in many countries, on populations and with different methodologies, have produced a set of convergent results. They show that exposure to pollutants, in particular suspended particles and ozone, is associated with a short-term impact on health. These results were supported by those of large multi-city analyzes such as, in the United States, the NMMAPS study (National Morbidity, Mortality, and Air Pollution Study) and, in Europe, the APHEA study (Air Pollution and Health: A European Approach).

In addition to highlighting the acute effects of urban air pollution, long-term monitoring of cohorts has made it possible to convincingly document the effects of chronic exposure to pollutants, in particular the effect of fine particles on mortality. total and cardiovascular. The results of the first North American studies, published in the early 1990s have since been supported by several European studies.

Exposure to pollutants therefore has not only a short-term effect on the most fragile part of the population; it also has a significant impact on life expectancy. The results of long-term studies show moreover, that these effects are preponderant compared to the acute effects of pollution.

Epidemiological studies show that there are effects of pollution from the lowest concentrations, and that there does not seem to be a protective threshold below which there is no longer observed any health effect. Even in the absence of peaks, air pollution has health effects. Thus, given the relative rarity of extreme pollution events, most of the health impact of air pollution is due to the days of usual pollution.

Through epidemiological studies, it has been shown that characteristics such as age, sex or state of health influence sensitivity to air pollution. Thus certain population groups, such as children, the elderly and individuals suffering from chronic pathologies, have been identified as more concerned by the effects of air pollution.

While the causes of the elderly person’s fragility to air pollution are still poorly understood, certain mechanisms are starting to be considered. Indeed, the elderly would be more sensitive to air pollution due to the decrease in their local antioxidant capacities and the capacity of adaptation of their defense system. In addition, the elderly often present preexisting pathologies such as cardiovascular or respiratory pathologies.

In children, pulmonary maturation is only partial at birth, the stock of alveoli continuing to develop until the age of 8 years. Some studies have shown a link between exposure to pollutants and myocardial infarction through a decrease in peripheral oxygenation, an increase in blood viscosity and changes in heart rate. Thus people with coronary and heart failure are more sensitive to air pollution.

Air pollutants (ozone, VOCs, particles, SO2, NO2) are also aggravating factors for asthma. They increase bronchial reactivity and make individuals more sensitive to allergens. Thus, asthmatics have been identified as more sensitive to air pollution; as well as people with respiratory insufficiency, chronic bronchitis, air pollution favoring decompensations (acute respiratory distress).

Pregnant women also constitute a category of population sensitive to the risks run by the fetus. Indeed, links have been established between exposure to air pollutants and alterations in fetal growth, prematurity and low birth weight. That’s one more reason why early junk disposal services helping to remove pollutants from residential areas would be helpful.

Finally, in some healthy people, the slightest increase in the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere causes coughing, irritation of the throat or eyes, while others show these symptoms only at much higher levels, or not at all. There is no examination to diagnose hypersensitivity. Only the appearance of evocative symptoms, especially during pollution episodes, makes it possible to suspect it. More research is still needed to better characterize the exposures of these population groups and their responses to air pollution.

A significant number of studies have studied, in vitro or on animal populations (more rarely human), the toxicology of the main pollutants that make up the ambient air. These studies have made it possible to propose mechanisms of action, which provide physiological explanations for the results of epidemiological studies. Although many of these mechanisms are still poorly understood, these studies have provided essential arguments for the biological plausibility of the effects observed in epidemiological studies, and help to substantiate the causal nature of the relationships between exposure to pollutants and health.

Pollution from road traffic poses specific health problems. On the one hand, in direct proximity to traffic lanes, the exposure is greatly increased. Traffic is thus the main source of intra-urban variations in exposure in the majority of urban areas. On the other hand, traffic-related emissions constitute a mixture of specific pollutants (diesel particles, benzene, heavy metals), the levels of which decrease for some quickly (~ 300-500 m) away from the road axis ( ultrafine particles, NOx). While it is still quite difficult today to dissociate the effects of this particular pollution from the effects of more general pollution of the atmosphere, a certain number of studies have made it possible to highlight a specific effect of the pollution emitted by the road traffic on the genesis and occurrence of asthma attacks in children, and mortality and morbidity for cardiovascular causes.

An evaluation carried out within the framework of the Aphekom study relating to 10 European cities and which should soon be extended to Paris, thus estimates that the fact of residing near (within 150 meters) of a major axis circulation (with more than 10,000 vehicles per day) is responsible for 9 to 25% of new cases of asthma in children, and 10 to 35% of cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary heart disease in adults of over 65.

The key message from epidemiology is that the levels of pollutants currently observed are associated with health risks. If the intensity of the effects observed may seem low compared to other risk factors (like tobacco for example), the size of the exposed population is important and therefore the benefit associated with a reduction in the exposure of the population to pollutants would be quite substantial in terms of public health.

As shown for example by the recent results of the Aphekom study, if the levels of fine PM2.5 particles were in line with the WHO quality objectives of 10 µg / m³ on an annual average, the inhabitants of Paris and the surrounding area crown would gain six months of life expectancy.

If you want to your children’s lives to be more fulfilling, encourage your kids to develop personal skills so that they will enjoy life more.

As parents it is our duty to foster a child’s future success. We should use our free time and experiences to help them better understand the world they will be facing as adults.

Compassionate. Visit zoos to discuss humane practices in how we should be caring for animals. Compassion for humans can be learned and appreciated through shared community service projects that encourage children to understand and be tolerant of people in unfamiliar circumstances. Seek opportunities to assist not only people with different physical abilities, but also those from dissimilar cultural, racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Ramp up the fun factor by attending community events that celebrate ethnicities different from the grandchild’s.

Civic-minded. Grandchildren first learn the importance of affecting local and global issues by witnessing adults in their life doing so. Model the desired behavior, then seek age-appropriate opportunities for engagement that interest the child. That could mean seeking city-council support for a new neighborhood playground or encouraging a recycling program in the school cafeteria. Success with local issues may encourage kids to tackle global issues.

Arts-focused. Foster appreciation for all art forms by exposing your grandchild to varied artistic expressions and events, from street fairs and museums to performances and artist-in-residence opportunities. Consider art in the ordinary, too—architecture, nature, weather events, fashion.

Travel-minded. Spark a young grandchild’s curiosity about the world near and far with magazine subscriptions (National Geographic for Kids, is a great one!), travel shows on television—those for youngsters and adults—as well as short trips that whet their appetites for longer ones. And don’t forget to send postcards from your own travels then share photos with grandkids when you return from your adventures.

Food-aware. Teaching young grandchildren about healthy and responsible food choices encourages them to be more informed about food as adults. Visit farmer’s markets together then together cook the goodies you’ve gathered. Take grandchildren on tours of working farms so they learn where foods come from. Grow a garden, too. Short on space? Try container gardening or growing herbs indoors. Herbs for homemade pizza—basil, oregano, thyme—are a yummy introduction.

Self-loving. Show interest in a grandchild’s abilities by turning compliments into conversations. Rather than saying, “I love the drawing you made me,” ask your grandchild why he chose that particular color or medium. Instead of praising a granddaughter on how well she performed in the school play, ask what she thought were her best moments. Such questions provide opportunities for your grandchild to consider her unique offerings.

Encourage grandchildren to do the same for others, too, by pointing out opportunities for grandchildren to celebrate the unique talents of friends and family.

Critical thinkers. This essential skill requires analyzing and evaluating information, looking below the surface, predicting outcomes and more. Grandparents have a unique hand in developing this skill simply because of their history and generational differences. Share your family history and personal stories to encourage kids to consider how things used to be, how much things have changed.

Additionally, engage in open-ended conversations with grandchildren. Ask, “Why do you think this happened?” or “What do you think might happen next?” in relation to stories, movies or real-life events. Encourage kids to answer imaginatively by avoiding judgements on their responses. (Be sure to avoid dominating the conversation, too!)

Responsible for their words and actions. Just as it was as parents, part of our job as grandparents is to help prepare children for adulthood. Use stories from your own life to highlight teachable moments, events that led you to grasp important societal norms and expectations. While out and about with grandkids, point out ways people help one another (or should help) as well as how actions and behaviors, both negative and positive, affect others.

Empowered. Kids and people in general are empowered by success in tasks, skills, making decisions that turn out well. Grandparents can ideally encourage the skill because we often have more time and patience to allow grandchildren to perform tasks at their own pace. Seek ways to allow grandchildren opportunities to perform age-appropriate tasks alongside chores and activities you’re performing. Chores, crafts, work of most any sort likely have some small (or large) component a child could successfully complete.