Green Blades Rising learned about Plastic Free July from our partnership with the St. Paul Area Synod Care of Creation Work Group.

 You can join Our Savior’s Lutheran Church

and other area congregations in promoting it.

This is Our Savior’s message about why and what.

Why you ask?

Plastic on Human Health

“The chemicals used in the production of plastic are toxic and detrimental to the human body. Chemicals in plastic-like lead, cadmium and mercury directly can come in contact with the humans. These toxins can cause cancers, congenital disabilities, immune system problems and childhood development issues.“  (Harmful Effects of Plastic on Health | Tips to Reduce Plastic (indushealthplus.com)

·       Chemicals added to plastics are absorbed by human bodies. Some of these compounds have been found to alter hormones or have other potential human health effects.

·       Plastic debris, laced with chemicals and often ingested by marine animals, can injure or poison wildlife.

·       Floating plastic waste, which can survive for thousands of years in water, serves as mini transportation devices for invasive species, disrupting habitats.

·       Plastic buried deep in landfills can leach harmful chemicals that spread into groundwater.

Environmental toll of plastics - EHN

Environmental Impact

10 Plastic Pollution Facts That Show Why We Need To Do More (globalcitizen.org)

Since the 1950s, around 8.3 billion tons of plastic have been produced worldwide.

According to a report from the Guardian, an estimated 8.3 billion tons of plastic have been produced since the 1950s — that’s equivalent to the weight of more than 800,000 Eiffel Towers. And only 9% of it has been recycled.

73% of beach litter worldwide is plastic.

According to National Geographic, 73% of all beach litter is plastic. The litter includes filters from cigarette butts, bottles, bottle caps, food wrappers, grocery bags, and polystyrene containers.

A million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute.

A report by the Guardian found that 1 million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute, and this number is set to increase by another 20% by 2021 if we don’t act.

Worldwide, about 2 million plastic bags are used every minute.

This might seem like an unbelievable number, but according to Ecowatch, between 500 billion and 1 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide annually.

Plastic is killing more than 1.1 million seabirds and animals every year.

According to the United Nations, ingestion of plastic kills an estimated 1 million marine birds and 100,000 marine animals each year.

The average person eats 70,000 microplastics each year.

That works out to about 100 bits of microplastic over the course of just one meal, according to a study published in Environmental Pollution.

What you can do to reduce your use and the impacts of plastic on our health and environment

Commit to Plastic Free July® Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution. Plastic Free July – Be Part of the Solution

100 Steps to a Plastic-Free Life: Do you think it’s possible to live life without plastic? Wondering how to do it or at least get started? 100 Steps to a Plastic-Free Life » My Plastic-free Life (myplasticfreelife.com)

The Best Eco-friendly Alternatives to Plastic: In our plastic-filled world, avoiding plastic can be pretty challenging. But finding alternatives to common items like plastic bottles and plastic packaging is becoming increasingly easier. The Best Eco-Friendly Alternatives for the Plastic in Your Life | Eartheasy Guides & Articles | Eartheasy Guides & Articles

Start by taking a few easy steps in July and build on those:

·      Bring a reusable coffee cup or dine in versus using a single use paper or styrofoam cup

·      Find plastic-free alternatives when buying fruit and vegetables

·      Bring your own reusable shopping bags instead of using a plastic disposable shopping bag

·      Refuse plastic drinking straws or bring your own reusable alternative

·      Bring your own reusable water bottle instead of buying a single use plastic bottle

·      Avoid pre-packaged foods by choosing bulk or loose food

Remember…

As members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), we share a deep love for all of God's creation and a profound responsibility for it. Made in the image of God, we are called to continue what God is already doing for the earth (Psalm 104), enabling it to flourish. God assigns humans to care for the earth as God does, in loving servanthood. (Philippians 2:7, Genesis 2:15).[i] 2018

Earth Day statement from ELCA presiding bishop - ELCA

Dear church, we can "testify to the good news of God's grace" (Acts 20:24), which empowers us to move forward. We know that healing is possible — for the planet and for our communities. We are not too late. The time is now. To us, God is calling; through us, God wants to work a miracle; through our finite and inadequate efforts, God can and will bring about "a new heaven and a new earth." God provides us with diverse gifts as protectors and guardians of creation. We affirm, therefore, the many stewards of the land who have been and are conserving the good earth that the Lord has given us. 2021 Earth Day statement from Bishop Eaton - ELCA