In reference to this Daily Post article, the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act is an incredible step in the right direction for plastic reduction statewide. As a headwater state whose basin affects seven states, Colorado is in a unique position to reduce plastics in our country’s waterways. We should continue this momentum forward with further action by corporations.
If we want to get serious about reducing our single use plastic use as both a state and nation, corporations have to begin taking responsibility for the waste they produce. Take Whole Foods as an example. Whole Foods was the first large grocer to switch to recyclable paper bags over plastic bags. They were an industry leader in this plastic reduction space.
However, in a recent report done by As You Sow, Whole Foods received an ‘F’ on their waste policies. A large part of their reasoning was Whole Food’s unnecessary use of single use plastic packaging in their stores. Overall, plastic packaging was 42% of all non-fiber plastic produced in 2015, and it also made up 52% of plastics thrown away.
The recent state action is amazing news for Coloradans who care about plastic pollution in their open spaces. However, we could make so much more progress, so much more quickly, if corporations who use plastics took some responsibility and changed their policies.
Mitchell Ukropina
Crested Butte, CO