Tell Congress to Keep Plastic Out of Our National Parks!
By: Thomas Hynes
Representative Mike Quigley of Illinois recently introduced House Resolution 4561, also known as the Reducing Waste in National Parks Act, for the reduction of disposable plastic products in the National Park System. This bill would take a commonsense approach to protecting our National Parks from the onslaught of plastic pollution. It’s also popular. According to a recent survey, 82% of Americans support ending the sale of single-use plastics in national parks. Our public lands should not be used to contribute to the plastic pollution crisis in any way.
It’s time to throw single-use plastics out of our national parks!
Plastic pollution is much more than just littering. It’s a slow motion oil spill. Plastic is dangerous to both produce and transport. Yet, an equally daunting problem is with its disposal. True recycling is almost nonexistent. Over 90% of plastic waste ends up in landfills, incinerators, or as trash that often ends up in the water. According to a report, over ten million tons of plastic garbage found its way into the ocean in 2016 alone… and that number could soon grow as production is poised to grow in the coming decades.
It’s a toxic and untenable situation that our National Parks need not support or fund in any way
Our National Parks are an invaluable treasure. They are a critical habitat for several endangered or threatened species. They are also quite popular with people, drawing hundreds of millions of visitors every year. It can be a lot of pressure. Meanwhile, climate change is “forever changing” these public lands. We do not need plastic pollution in the equation.
Congress has a responsibility to do everything in its power to ensure our national treasures will still be around for future generations to enjoy. We cannot allow the fossil fuel industry to trash our National Parks with their plastic pollution.
Contact your member of Congress today and urge them to support this common sense legislation.