A new type of “stone” has made its way into the geological record, formed when plastic fuses together beach sediment and other natural materials through heat like campfires or lava flow. The name it has been given, plastiglomerate, suggests the impact of the evolution of plastic waste.
According to a 2017 study by Roland Geyer of UC Santa Barbara and colleagues, “We estimate that 8,300 million metric tons (Mt) of virgin plastics have been produced to date. As of 2015, approximately 6,300 Mt of plastic waste had been generated, around 9% of which had been recycled, 12% was incinerated and 79% was accumulated in landfills or the natural environment. If current production and waste management trends continue, roughly 12,000 Mt of plastic waste will be in landfills or in the natural environment by 2050.”
In fact, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tells us that there are at least three giant garbage patches in the world’s oceans, each made up of about 79,000 metric tons of marine debris—bits of varying sized plastics, both from land and fishing gear—that swirl throughout the water column. These plastics have been found in the stomachs of up to 114 different species of marine animals, about half of which could end up on your plate.
It is no wonder several countries and many California counties are introducing legislation to limit or ban single-use plastic, from grocery bags to straws in restaurants. But individually, we can also make a difference. Plastic pollution is a human-made problem with human solutions.
While a zero-waste lifestyle might feel out of reach for many, we have put together several ideas to help you transform your winter celebrations to plastic-free and reduced-waste events. Even committing to just two or three new habits can have a ripple effect locally and perhaps globally.
Most conventional wrapping paper is not recyclable. It is estimated that about half of the paper produced per year ends up in landfills.
• Instead, try wrapping with newspaper, cloth, kitchen tea or dish towels, shopping totes or veggie bags.
• To tie, try twine, hemp, metal wire or strips of scrap fabric.
• For decoration, create your own tags from old pieces of cardboard, wooden scraps or homemade paper. Use real plants, herbs, cinnamon sticks or vintage jewelry for embellishment.
• If you are considering a holiday card or holiday invite, look into sending an e-card or e-vite.
Cookies pictured made by Popsweets Bakery in Simi Valley.
In case making or purchasing pottery sounds like a win for you, here are some studios to check out.
CAMARILLO
Studio Channel Islands
805-383-1368
2222 E. Ventura Blvd., Camarillo
StudioChannelIslands.org
OJAI
Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts
(Ceramics workshops and classes among offerings)
805-646-3381
8585 Ojai–Santa Paula Rd., Ojai
BeatriceWood.com
Firestick Pottery Studio
805-272-8760
1804 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
FirestickPottery.com
Ojai Pottery & Clay Studios
805-798-3990
212 Fox St., Ojai
OjaiPottery.com
THOUSAND OAKS
Clay Studio
805-370-1544
700 Paige Ln., Thousand Oaks
ClayStudioAndGallery.com
VENTURA
Birdhouse Ceramics
503-863-7374
146 N. Joanne Ave., Ventura
BirdhouseCeramics.com
Parlor Room Goods & Services
Studio 84
432 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura
ParlorRoomGoods.com
Vita Art Center
805-644-9214
28 W. Main St., Ventura
VitaArtCenter.com
Last May, the city of Ventura offered up a challenge to residents to “Buy it, Eat it, Don’t Waste it”. More than 65...
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