LET’S TALK PLASTIC (AND NOT LOSE HOPE!)
The news broadcast on November 18 was one of the most depressing reflections of our time. The news isn’t exactly a cheery affair on most days. Wars are raging and escalating. A loud-mouthed government can’t seem to get its act together. This particular evening, the eight o’clock news showed a man standing before a closed factory gate. The factory used to recycle plastic.
Words: Alexandra Gossink
I cannot solve armed conflicts, despite having plenty of opinions about them. And I voted for a party prioritising sustainability and nature conservation. That’s about as far as my individual influence stretches. Plastic, on the other hand, I've more control over.
Somewhere deep down, I had a flicker of hope that the use of plastic was declining. Turns out, the opposite is true. Worldwide, plastic production is still increasing.
The news showed a factory, Umincorp. It was one of five Dutch plastic recycling plants that went bankrupt this year. “Recycling companies simply can’t compete with cheap new plastic from abroad,” the newsreader explained.
A FLICKER OF HOPE – BUT HOW?
How can I hold on to that flicker of hope, I wondered. A trip to the supermarket, a walk along the beach, or a glance into the recycling bin—it’s tough not to feel like giving up. You know, giving up on your metaphorical battle axe. It's the tool you need to not just have an opinion but to act.
To be honest, I started writing this piece without really knowing where to find that flicker of hope. From within myself? My own daily choices when it comes to plastic? Well, yes, partly.
THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
My actions create a tiny ripple in the grand scheme. But, I can influence those around me—and vice versa. My friends, my sports club, my fellow surfers. You don't have to storm the barricades to make a difference. You can be that single flap of a butterfly’s wing ultimately creating a hurricane.
Haven’t you ever signed a petition that helped stop a proposed law? Planted wildflower seeds in front of your house, and all neighbours started doing the same? Switched to using a keep cup or water bottle? Small effort, big impact!
But I think my greatest source of hope is this: I don’t give up. You don’t give up. And everyone doing their bit for a future with less plastic doesn’t give up. In the end, it’s all about persistence. That butterfly effect rippling outward. The hurricane that will one day tip the scales in plastic production.
MY HOPE? THAT’S YOU!
If you're reading this on the Surfrider site, you likely want cleaner oceans. You've picked up your battle axe and are now fighting for that cause. You’re my hope! You likely care about your plastic use. You make conscious product choices and pick up litter now and then. You inspire those around you by doing what you do.
Oh, and let me guess—you’re already donated to Surfrider, yeah? 😇
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