I just want to say one word to you — plastics.
This iconic line of dialogue is from a party scene in the 1967 film classic, “The Graduate,” when a middle-aged man, Mr. McGuire, attempts to lure a younger man, Benjamin Braddock, into the plastics industry. In the movie, the word plastics had double meaning, also representing a bland, corporate, manufactured purpose, lifestyle and future.
“Think about it. Will you think about it?” McGuire asks Braddock, played by Dustin Hoffman.
Looking back, it was an ominous warning about the future of the world.
Fast forward 50 years and a new warning about the future has interrupted our global party — plastics pollution.
“The reality is that we create too much waste in our modern era of disposable materials,” said Julie Peller, a professor of chemistry at Valparaiso University.
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Especially with plastics, which permeates our lives so indelibly that we forget its existence in most every facet of our society. Our homes. Our jobs. Our entertainment. Our dining. Everything.
Last month, Peller shared a public presentation for Earth Day, hosted by Porter County Recycling and Waste Reduction. This year’s theme is “Planet vs. Plastics,” aligning perfectly with the organization’s ongoing efforts to reduce plastic waste.
“I study plastic waste, mostly on the micro and nanoplastic level,” Peller told me before her presentation.
Peller’s research interests include advanced oxidation for aqueous solutions; studies of emerging contaminants in water, particularly micro and nanoplastics; air and sediment analyses; and Lake Michigan shoreline challenges, such as water and sediment contaminants.
Most of that stuff goes over our heads. However, you don’t need to have a Ph.D. to understand that we have a problem with overuse of plastics and the pollution that comes from it. Our country represents 4% of the world’s population but 12% of its municipal solid waste. At the current rate, global waste will increase by 70% by 2050.
Peller shared with me her 46-slide presentation titled, “Our plastic waste problem — damaging and costly,” with eye-opening data, statistics and projections.
For example, when “The Graduate” debuted in 1967, the average American generated 2.68 pounds of waste per day, compared to nearly five pounds of waste today. On a larger scale, the U.S. produced only half a million tons of waste per year in 1967 compared to 36 million tons today.
One of the presentation slides asks: "Plastics do not decompose. What is the plan?”
Peller told me, “Community leaders need to find ways to make recycling work. I would suggest public education campaigns and more education in school are required.”
The next opportunity for Region residents will be Wednesday evening when Porter County Recycling and Waste Reduction hosts another event related to plastics. The forum will bring together people from various sectors — environmental activists, policy makers, business leaders and concerned citizens — to engage in a meaningful dialogue about the challenges and opportunities in reducing single-use plastic consumption.
The organization’s website states: “This is a unique opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, gain insights into the latest research and initiatives, and contribute your ideas to a collective effort combating plastic pollution.“
The event takes place 6:30 p.m. at Valparaiso University in Harre Union, ballroom C. (For more info, call 219-465-3694 or visit https://portercountyrecycling.org.)
Plastics pollution may not be as visible as it is rampant because so much of it gets transported out of our sight every week when our trash and recycling bins get emptied. It all seemingly disappears to a distant site we never see.
“Most people don’t think what happens to garbage once it hits the garbage can,” Peller’s presentation states.
In 2010, I visited the country of Haiti after a major earthquake struck near its capital city. One of my lasting memories is the mountains of empty plastic bottles along the roadsides waiting to be hauled away to … somewhere. I’ve never seen firsthand so much plastics pollution.
“A world without plastic seems unimaginable today, yet their large-scale production and use only dates back to around 1950,” according to a slide in Peller’s presentation. That year, the world produced 2 million metric tons of plastic. In 2050, that figure is projected to be 34 billion metric tons.
Plastics are everywhere and will continue to be in our future. From microfibers in our clothing to micro plastics in our water sheds. Not to mention in our packaging materials, trash bags, fast food and drinks. Just look around with a fresh viewpoint and you'll notice it all around you.
“Can we recycle our way out of the plastic waste problem?” Peller's presentation asks. “NO.”
She ends it with a three-word warning: “Time for change.”
What can you do? For starters, reduce single-use plastics, support community cleanups, and reconsider using plastic bags at stores if you can bring in reusable ones. For more information on the broader topic, contact Peller at julie.peller@valpo.edu or 219-465-5639.
As Mr. McGuire asked Benjamin Braddock in that old movie, “Plastics. Will you think about it?”
Contact Jerry at Jerry.Davich@nwi.com. Find him on Facebook and other socials. Opinions are those of the writer.