Earth Day 2024: Knocking out plastics to better our planet

Earth day’s annual celebration brings millions of people together across the globe to support the international environmental movement. 

By Hayleigh Tramm April 22, 2024 3:29 pm

BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22nd, marks its 54th iteration this year. The global theme for Earth Day 2024, Planet vs. Plastics, addresses plastic pollution and the consumption of single-use plastics. This theme aims to raise awareness about the effects of plastic waste on our planet’s ecosystems. 

The first Earth Day was initiated in 1970 by US Senator and environmentalist Gaylord Nelson and Harvard University graduate student Denis Hayes, is credited with launching the modern environmental movement. 

Before Earth Day’s creation, close to 7% of US solid waste was recycled. Today, that number has jumped to approximately 35%. Curbside recycling programs encouraged people to start recycling out of convenience, however we are unable to keep up the growing rates of overproduction and overconsumption. 

Planet vs. Plastics “60 x 40” campaign calls for a 60% plastic reduction by 2040. The campaign is designed to promote health awareness on how dangerous plastics are to humanity, invest in innovative technologies to promote a plastic free world and demand a change for generations to come. 

More plastic has been produced in the last decade than in the entire 20th century due to the ever growing rate of consumerism. This campaign demands an end to fast fashion and single use plastic consumption.

“The Planet vs. Plastics campaign is a call to arms, a demand that we act now to end the scourge of plastics and safeguard the health of every living being upon our planet,” said Kathleen Rodgers, president of earthday.org. 

Washington state has already made progress towards eliminating single use plastics, specifically the use of single-use foam products. MyBellinghamNow previously reported on the new ban which is set to take effect in June. A report from The Recycling Partnership found that a lack of access to recycling programs and a lack of confidence in recycling efficiency were the biggest factors as to why Americans struggle to recycle properly. 

A drive-by recycling event happened this past weekend in Bellingham in celebration of Earth Day. With partnerships from waste collection companies and educational support from the Whatcom County Health Department, the event aimed to raise awareness about proper recycling practices and encourage ongoing efforts for a greener future. The Covenant Church worked with waste collection companies such as 1PC, Sanitary Service Company (SSC) and Recycling and Disposal Services (RDS) to allow for the convenient drop off of materials that are difficult to recycle. 

The Whatcom County Health Department was stationed at the event educating people on how to take care of hazardous waste and the importance of taking proper recycling measures. 

Heather Merchant, a volunteer with the Bellingham Covenant Church who helped organize the event mentioned a convenience issue of recycling hazardous waste. 

“I think they don’t always know what can be recycled, and they don’t know where to find the companies. Or they don’t want to, they don’t have the time to try to research it because frankly, it’s not advertised,” Merchant said. 

Community members dropped off items like old athletic shoes to be donated or refurbished, electronic waste, batteries (both single-use and rechargeable) and shredded documents.

Batteries, especially rechargeable batteries containing lithium, cause explosions, fire and the release of toxic fumes. 

If you currently have items that need recycling, 1PC collects electronic waste year-round to be refurbished. RDS will collect electronic and residential waste to be recycled and Disposal of Toxics will collect substances for proper disposal free at their facility. 

Earthday.org works to broaden the meaning of environment to include issues that affect our health and community. With the threat of microplastics releasing toxins into our food and water sources plastics will continue to affect all aspects of the environment. 

As an individual you hold power and influence as a voter, consumer and community member celebrate earth day and unite for change for generations to come. Make Earth Day every day.