EcoTianguis Plastic-Free!

EcoTianguis has planted the seed to grow into a plastic-free zone.

If you are reading this, chances are that you are already well aware of the impact of plastic pollution in our lives, communities and world.*   It is another example of how we are all, indeed, connected and living together.  Every choice has an impact. Single-use plastic bottles, bags, containers and cups are used for just minutes and remain for thousands of years in landfills and the oceans. 

Thus, it “organically” follows that the EcoTianguis is on its way to become plastic-free.   The commitment has taken root and the details are growing.  The vendors are working to find ways to provide their goods and eliminate single-use plastic.   This conversion process includes asking customers to bring their own bags, containers and baskets for carrying produce home or, initially, and for a limited time, to pay extra for each plastic bag provided by the vendor.  There will be sustainable alternatives available for purchase at the market as well.

You may wonder why not just switch to “biodegradable” plastic.  While the intent may be good, the reality is more complicated.  Much of the available “biodegradable” plastic degrades into small, invisible pieces of plastic, but chemically it remains plastic.   Other “degradable” plastic requires specific composting facilities to do the process necessary for degradation to happen.  The majority of corn-based “biodegradable” plastic is currently made from genetically modified corn, and fossil fuel is used in its production.

Well, then, you might suggest that we “recycle” plastic or use recycled plastic.   Again, it is more complicated than one would hope.  If plastic recovered for recycling is re-used, (and most is not), the resulting product still eventually will end up in landfills or oceans.   This is not recycling, but down-cycling.  And the myth of plastic recycling creates an illusion that delays real sustainable solutions, such as producer responsibility and the phasing out of single-use plastics. 

It is just simpler, if not easy (and can be more fun), to go plastic-free.  Our grandparents and great-grandparents did fine without plastic, or we wouldn’t be here. 

Please support your health, earth and the EcoTianguis by coming on Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Hole-in-One across from the Chula Vista on the eastern edge of San Antonio.  Bring your own bags and containers to carry produce, products, and other goods home.  See you there!

For a wealth of information on plastic pollution, please refer to

http://plasticpollutioncoalition.org

The US Center for Disease Control  reports that 95% of Americans tested positive for the toxic chemical biphenol A, a polycarbonate plastic chemical linked with increased health risks.   Research from the Pacific Garbage Patch in the middle of the ocean indicates that the ratio of plastic pieces to plankton is 6:1, and that this plastic is being fed to baby albatross by their parents, leading to a death rate of at least 40%.

Carol Kindschi

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The following pledge commitment was taken directly from the Plastic Pollution Coalition.  The newly formed Tianguis committee agreed to have the "pledge" be our guiding principle for vendors and customers.—Carol Kindschi.

Single-Use Plastic Emergency Response (S.U.P.E.R.) Hero Pledge

Some of the greatest contributors to plastic pollution are single-use plastics, and disposable plastics. Designed for one use, or to be discarded, these objects offer a small convenience but remain forever.  Follow the “4 Rs” of sustainable living: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Refuse Just say NO to single-use and disposable plastics like bags and bottles, straws, cups, plates, silverware and razors. Instead, bring your own shopping and produce bags to the market. Carry a reusable bottle with you for drinking on the go. Bring your travel mug to the coffee shop. Pack your own utensils. Skip the straw. (Plastic straws are for suckers!) Bring your own containers for take-out or ask for non-plastic disposable packaging.

Reduce Reduce waste: buy in bulk, choose products with the least packaging, look for products and packaging made from renewable resources, and avoid plastic packaging and containers. Choose products that have the least amount of disposable parts, like razors with replaceable blades and toothbrushes with replaceable brushes.

Reuse Reuse preferably nontoxic (glass, stainless steel) containers and goods to make less waste. Bad habits are disposable, containers are reusable.

Recycle Recycle what you can’t refuse, reduce or reuse. Recycling is a last option because it uses energy, and there may not be a market for the refabricated materials.

http://plasticpollutioncoalition.org