On Plastic Bags
Reprinted with permission from the Pocono Record
Data released by the United States Environmental Protection Agency shows
that somewhere between 500 billion and a trillion plastic bags are consumed
worldwide each year. National Geographic news September 2, 2003
Less than 1% of bags are recycled. It costs more to recycle a bag than
to produce a new one.
Christian Science Monitor Newspaper
“There’s harsh economics behind bag recycling: It costs $4,000
to process and recycle one ton of plastic bags, which can then be sold
on the commodities market for $32.”
Jared Blumenfeld, Director of San Francisco’s Department of the Environment
Then…Where do they go?
A study in 1975 showed oceangoing vessels together dumped 8 million pounds
of plastic annually. The real reason that the world’s landfills weren’t
overflowing with plastic was because most of it ended up in an ocean-fill.
U.S. National Academy of Sciences
Bags get blown around to different parts of our lands and to our seas,
lakes and rivers.
Bags find their way into the sea via drains and sewage pipes. CNN.com/technology
November 16, 2007
Plastic Bags have been found floating north of the Artic Circle near
Spitzbergen and as far south as the Falkland Islands. British Antarctic
Survey
Plastic bags account for over 10 percent of the debris washed up on the
U.S. coastline.
National Marine Debris Monitoring Program
Plastic bags photodegrade: Over time they break down into smaller, more
toxic petro-polymers which eventually contaminate soils and waterways.
As a consequence microscopic particles can enter the food chain.
CNN.com/technology November 16, 2007
The effect on wildlife can be catastrophic. Birds become terminally entangled.
Nearly 200 different species of sea life including whales, dolphins, seals
and turtles die due to plastic bags. They die after ingesting plastic
bags which they mistake for food. World Wildlife Fund Report 2005
So…What do we do?
If we use a cloth bag, we can save 6 bags a week. That’s 24 bags
a month. That’s 288 bags a year. That’s 22,178 bags in an average
lifetime. If just 1 out of 5 people in our country did this we would save
1,330,560,000,000 bags over our lifetime.
Bangladesh has banned plastic bags. MSNBC.com March 8, 2007
China has banned free plastic bags. CNN.com/asia January 9, 2008
Ireland took the lead in Europe, taxing plastic bags in 2002 and have
now reduced plastic bag consumption by 90%.
BBC News August 20, 2002
In 2005 Rwanda banned plastic bags. Associated Press
Israel, Canada, western India, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa,
Taiwan and Singapore have also banned or are moving toward banning the
plastic bag. PlanetSave.com February 16, 2008
On March 27, 2007, San Francisco becomes first U.S. city to ban plastic
bags. NPR.org (National Public Radio)
Oakland and Boston are considering a ban. The Boston Globe May 20, 2007
Plastic shopping bags are made from polyethylene: a thermoplastic made
from oil. CNN.com/technology November 16, 2007
Reducing plastic bags will decrease our foreign oil dependency.
China will save 37 million barrels of oil each year due to their ban
of free plastic bags. CNN.com/asia January 9, 2008
It is possible…
Do something drastic…Cut the plastic!
SAY NO TO PLASTIC BAGS
Conservation - Important Bird Areas in Westchester County
On November 17 at the Greenwich Audubon Center, The Westchester County
Bird Area Program Advisory Committee met at the behest of Dr. Jack Robbins,
Deputy Commissioner of the Westchester Parks Department. The committee
is charged with "developing, overseeing, and monitoring conservation
programs to enhance, protect, and promote Important Bird Areas throughout
Westchester, with a view towards migration patterns, propagation, habitat
protection, and natural resource management for the bird species of interest
to Audubon New York." Attending were participants from Bronx River/Sound
Shore Audubon, Central Westchester Audubon, Wildlife Conservation Society,
Audubon New York and the Westchester Parks and Recreation Commission.
Dr. Robbins summarized the work that the parks department had done in
preparation for the achievement of the objectives of the meeting, including
the development of a species profile for each of the six named IBA's/
Westchester Parks and a Westchester County endangered species list.
Mike Burger of Audubon New York made a presentation of the continuing
process that established the criteria for IBA designation as well as the
ongoing verification and refinement of the data to keep IBA profiles current.
Mike distributed copies of the profiles for each of the 6 Weschester IBA's
and requested input and correction to data Some corrections were provided
and the parks department representatives will review the profiles and
forward any additional observations to Mike's office.
Some exciting new information included: the creation of a "Lower
Hudson River Eagle Wintering Important Bird Area." This park will
run from Croton Point park to Beacon, New York and is to include George's
Island Park, a favorite roosting area for Bald Eagles.
With respect to David's Island, the county would like to purchase this
property and turn it into a park. Cleanup costs are estimated at up to
$20 million in addition to the purchase price.
Westchester County has identified 1700 acres of additional land to conserve
and protect.
Sandra Maraffino of BR/SS Audubon has completed a well-documented shorebird
survey.
Dr. Robbins closed the meeting by stating he was encouraged by the input
and participation and called for a follow-up conference. It was agreed
to meet at Croton Point in January, possible on a Monday afternoon. Ms.
Amie Worley will coordinate.
Westchester's IBA's currently include Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary,
Butler Sanctuary, Huckleberry Island, Lower Hudson River, Marshlands Conservancy
and Ward Pound Ridge.
Nominations for additional IBA's in the county can be sent
to Audubon New York for consideration
.-- Peter da Silva
Conservation - Long Island Sound
The Long Island Stewardship Act of 2004, sponsored by Senator Joseph
Lieberman is moving through Congress. If and when it is passed it will
provide $40 million a year: 75% federal funds matched by 25% local funds.
Its intent is to improve the Sound's coastlines for wildlife and increase
public access. Support is promised by all four Senators from both New
York and Connecticut, plus the five Connecticut representatives and eight
of the 29 representatives for New York. Presently only 40% of the LIS
coastline can be reached for fishing, boating and birding; habitat for
the 135 bird species that make the Sound their home is being eroded. Audubon
for 15 years has been an active advocate for the sound. The Long Island
sound Stewardship system, working with the EPA, New York and Connecticut,
is working to identify a network of significant ecological sites in and
around the Sound. The proposed Cross-Sound Cable is included in the discussions.
--Louise Jones
Invasive Species
In the April-May magazine of the National Wildlife Federation, there
is a warning about the butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) which can grow
to 10 ft and is commonly planted to attract butterflies. This is a non-native
species that can become invasive. Better choices include asters, phlox,
goldenrod, milkweed, coreopsis, dianthus, blazing star and joe-pye weed,
all perennials. Annuals include nasturtium, marigolds, cosmos and zinnias.
Conservation - Long Island Sound
"Long Island Sound, an Owner's Manual" has been released by
Wainwright House, located on the Sound in Rye. The fold-out leaflet is
loaded with suggestions for us homeowners, and apartment owners too, to
help clean up the Sound and keep it clean. First, it suggests safer alternatives
to the harsh chemicals in our household cleansers: use boric acid to kill
roaches, table salt with baking soda and water to clean ovens, lemon oil
with linseed oil as furniture polish. Detergents with phosphorus are to
be avoided (read the label again). Paper diapers, sanitary napkins and
plastics belong in the garbage, not the toilet. Most important there is
a warning against putting acids of any kind, such as oven cleaners, paints
and paint cleaners, wood preservatives, pesticides, etc. down the drain
or in the garbage; take those, and batteries, to the twice yearly Hazardous
Waste collections at WCC or Playland. "Toxics in the House"
is available from the Westchester County Health Dept. at 914-285-3072.
To feed our gardens the suggestions include using composted vegetables,
grass clipping and leaves, which also reduces landfill garbage. Biodynamic
gardening information can be had by calling the Cooperative Extension
or Biodynamic Gardening Association at 215-3227-2420.
For more information about the Sound check out tne Long Island Sound
Study's web site at http://www.longislandsoundstudy.net
. The site highlights new Sound projects and other programs of interest
to the environmental community.
---Louise Jones
Good News on the Conservation Front
In August, the Open Space Institute bought ten thousand acres of forest,
mountains and lakes in northeast New York's Essex County to protect the
headwaters of the Hudson River. The $8.5 million purchase was made fromTexas
Chemical Company and NNL Industries that had been mining titanium in the
area. It caps a 10-year effort by Moe Martens, president of Open Space
Institute, which over the years has bought and protected 500 thousand
acres of forest and open space in the state. Six thousand acres of the
parcel will be kept "forever wild" guaranteed by the New York
State Constitution; 400 acres, containing the abandoned village of Adirondac,
will be designated an Historic District within Adirondack Park and 3,000
acres will be sold as protected working forest to a timber company.
-- Louise Jones
Animals of Long Island Sound
A Conference Sponsored byThe Long Island Sound Watershed Alliance
The Long Island Sound conference on March 29th focused on the plight of
the animals who live, not very comfortably, in the Estuary off our shores.
The seven speakers reported on various aspects of the increasing threats
to the health of animals such as crustaceans, terrapins and shellfish,
which have been declining in numbers in recent years.
The most dramatic and disturbing news is the recent lobster die-off which
has been occurring mainly in the western section of the Sound, near the
Narrows, and has put lobster fishermen out of work. The number of native
crabs countrywide is dramatically down, due to predation by introduced
species, and shellfish, such as quahogs studied off Staten Island, are
showing alarming signs of parasitic attack. Diamond back terrapins, once
plentiful in Oyster Bay harbor, have been producing fewer young in recent
years.
There are three theories for the plight of these species: pesticides,
parasites and environmental change. The changing environment - global
warming- is believed to be the major culprit. Increasing temperatures
have caused unusually warm water, well above the lobsters' tolerance.
Introduced species, many brought here in the water ballast of foreign
ships, were noted as an increasing problem. One speaker estimated that
10 thousand types arrive in U.S. harbors every day. Studies in San Francisco
Bay have shown that these new creatures such as toads, shipworm, zebra
mussels, and plants such as purple loosestrife in wetlands, alter the
environment, bring pathogens, and compete with and prey on native species.
The bad news about the animals was encouragingly countered by a video
trip through underwater landscapes of the Sound showing good numbers of
fin fish such as striped bass, scup and flounder. A recent trawler survey
of the Sound proposed that, with proper management in rebuilding, there
is hope for a positive response. There was a warning, however, that "chemical
cleaning" is not the same as biological cleaning.
We were also treated to LI Sound history lesson by Tom Anderson author
of the book, This Fine Piece of Water.
---Louise N. Jones
Reduce Oil Consumption
Vehicle fuel efficiency standards have not been changed in 15 years.
(27.5 MPG for cars and 20.7 for SUV's and light trucks).
Today half of the vehicles sold are SUV's and others classified as light
trucks so gas usage per mile traveled has, on average, increased rather
than decreased in the last fifteen years.
Yet, automakers today have the technology to raise standards to a combined
40 MPG for new cars and light trucks.
If this were done over the next decade, we would ultimately save more
oil each year than we imported from the Persian Gulf in 2001. This begins
to give us the independence from Middle East oil that is so desirable,
especially when combined with other conservation measures.
Unfortunately the administration has proposed legislation that would
improve efficiency by only 1.5 MPG over the next five years! Clearly this
must be raised. Express your viewpoint. Write to Senators Clinton and
Schumer and Congresswoman Lowey to press for higher fuel efficiency standards.
-- Peter da Silva
Time Garbage Takes to Decompose
Glass bottle - 1 million years
Plastic beverage bottle - 450 years
Disposable diaper - 450 years
Foamed plastic cup - 50 years
Plastic bag 10-20 years
Cigarette filter 1-5 years
Apple core - 2 months
Help keep our planet clean. Dispose of garbage carefully. Recycle all
appropriate items.
Conservation - The Power of One
Many of us think that individually we can do relatively
little to protect our environment yet all the while knowing that conservation
is the single most important thing we can do for ourselves and all living
things. We underestimate the power of One. Each of us can do a lot to
protect our environment by doing a few simple things.
1. Support family planning here and in other countries. The current human
growth rate is not sustainable if we want to maintain our quality of life.
2. Conserve the resources that we have:
Turn off unneeded lights.
Reduce the number of trips to shops by grouping banking, groceries, laundry
and pharmacy, etc. visits together.
Reduce oil consumption by proper insulation and sensible thermostat settings.
Take public transportation or car pool.
3. Re-cycle as much as you can, no pun intended, for it takes only half
the energy to recycle an aluminum can as it does to manufacture one.
4. Support development of alternatives to fossil fuels and the companies
that pioneer their development. The sooner we have non-polluting fuels,
the healthier we will be.Think also of the freedom from Middle East oil.
Now multiply the reduction of pressure on our environment achieved by
one by all of us and the benefits are staggering. You've got more power
to affect conservation than you think.
--Peter da Silva
Rye Golf Club Salt Marsh Restoration Project
We have been following a proposal to restore a portion of
the salt marsh at the golf club which has been reduced by the spread of
the common reed (Phragmites Australia). The proposed restoration would
have a number of environmental impacts while the change proposed would
not be permanent.
In the meantime, at least four uncommon bird species, including
the King Rail, have been seen breeding in this area. If the Phragmites
is removed, they will not return to the affect area.
Jack Robbins, of Westchester County Parks, Recreation and Conservation
Department has informed us that the proposal has been revised and invited
our comments. We thank him and as soon as we have the new proposal we
will study it and provide a response.
--- Peter da Silva
From the Natural Resources Defense Council
We are being made increasingly aware of a number of proposals
to dismantle several environmental safeguards to clean water which have
taken decades to put in place. Proposals have been made to weaken requirements
to treat raw sewage, clean up polluted waters and keep solid waste out
of our waters and wetlands.
You can help by: Sending a message to the Chair, White House
council on Environmental Quality through the NRDC's Earth Action Center
at http://www.mrdc.org/action/
or:
Send a letter explaining your own reasons why the administration
should stop attempting to weaken the clean water act to: James L. Connaugton,
Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality, 722 Jackson Place,
NW, Washington, DC 20503. Fax: 202-456-6546.
One of the most disturbing alerts received is that the administration
has given approval for the Navy to begin deploying the new low frequency
active (LFA) sonar system across 75% of the world's oceans. The unbelievably
strong (235 decibels) sonar uses underwater loud speakers to blast the
oceans, then waits for a response.
At close range these intense shock waves destroy whales
eardrums, cause their lungs to hemorrhage and even kill. At further distances,
the noise can result in permanent hearing loss to marine mammals after
a single transmission and causes whales to swerve from their migration
routes. Tests made 2 years ago in the Bahamas caused a mass stranding
and deaths of individuals from 3 species. Please help by making a contribution
online to defray legal action to stop the Navy at: http://www.NRDC.org/joingive/join/LFA2.asp
.
-- Peter da Silva
Some Fine Points of Recycling
Here are some recycling requirements that you may not be
aware of:
- Recycle rinsed food and beverage cans, clean aluminum foil trays and
empty aerosol cans. No need to remove labels. Discard plastic caps in
the trash.
- Remove all caps from glass containers. Discard plastic caps in the trash
and place metal caps in your recycle bin.
- Plastic containers coded 1 or 2 can be recycled. Put their plastic caps
in the trash.
- Do not place any plastic item larger than a gallon milk jug in the recycling
bin, even if it is coded 1 or 2. Large plastic containers clog the processing
system.
- Do not put plastic bags in your recycle bin. They contaminate the load
and have to be removed at taxpayers' expense. If you save your recyclables
in plastic bags, just dump them in your bin and throw out or reuse the
plastic bags.
- Plastic items such as dishware and plastic toys of any kind are contaminants.
In fact, plastic items that are not containers are not appropriate for
your recycle bin.
- Brown corrugated cardboard boxes must be cleaned of excessive amounts
of plastic tape. Flatten and place all corrugated boxes inside another
corrugated box and place all brown bags inside another brown bag. No need
to remove staples.
- Don't forget to recycle magazines, junk mail, catalogs and phone books.
The heavy stuff really counts towards decreasing our waste disposal bills.
If you want more information, you can call the County Recycling Hotline
at (914)813-5420.
20/20 Vision: A Culture of Conservation
In 1995, the Audubon Society called for its membership to
embrace a culture of conservation. The 20/20 vision is the implementation
strategy which is focused on two major elements: the establishment of
Audubon Centers and the focus on education. It is a lofty vision grounded
in basic logic: "To restore the natural ecosystems, focusing on birds,
other wildlife and their habitats, for the benefit of humanity and the
earth's biological diversity."
Since the environment is shared by all of our lives and
that of all the earth's inhabitants are are interconnected in countless
ways, it is to our benefit to understand our environment in order to protect
it.
What better place to begin that process that at an Audubon
Center. Audubon Centers are places in their communities that include natural
open space, permanent facilities and people. They are places where families
can watch wildlife, explore and play outdoors together or on their own
engage in conservation action, restore a wetland, learn how to landscape
to attract birds and butterflies or address local conservation issues.
The network of Audubon centers is growing and it is hoped that they will
provide the understanding that will motivate us to care for the world
around us.
The protection of natural resources is not just petitioning the government
to preserve a pristine wilderness in Alaska but also to preserve as much
of the natural world in our own communities as we can. Visit and enjoy
an Audubon Center near you.
-- Peter da Silva
Beetle Alert
Have you seen the Asian Longhorned Beetle. This destructive
insect is a serious threat to trees in New England. It has been found
in NYC and Chicago. This insect kills trees. Maple trees are its favorite
host. Almost 7,000 trees have been cut down in the infested areas to eradicate
it. It is easy to recognize. It is a large (3/4 to 1 1/2 in. long), shiny
black beetle with white spots and long black and white banded antennae.
We must limit its spread. If you see this beetle, call 1-800-554-4501.
For more information visit: www.uvm.edu/albeetle.
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