These youngsters, Amy and Ella Meek, put together
their campaign … promoting their ideas through schools, businesses, town
councils, tourist guides … commencing back in the mid-2010s …
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| Ella and Amy Meet - c/o their website |
They come from Devon in the West Country … a TEDX type
event was organised by volunteers … so it is independent of the official TED – but still
worth a (12 minute) listen to and look at …
We all know about the harms of plastic … I know I
wrapped some things up in plastic bags – maybe 20 years ago – then they
disintegrated into a zillion pieces – so much for the one piece bag ... I was
horrified when it first happened.
Since then we’ve come to learn even more about the
invasiveness of plastic into all areas of life – land to ocean … and yes, our
air …
Amy and Ella have published a book ‘Be Plastic Clever’… that I reckon would be great to give as a gift … to a child, grandchild, or
get into a library as a resource …
The contents can be scrolled through in Amazon – which
I’m sure will encourage many to buy …
… they seem to have the issues covered – noting them
in simple terms … yet have used scientific gurus to help them.
 |
| Ideas from their comprehensive website ... thank you Amy and Ella! |
Even going through the contents page and having a
quick squizz I found some amazing bits of information I’d no great idea about …
They’ve teamed up with some female sailors who have
been carrying out ground-breaking research into how toxins in micro-plastics
can affect our bodies … led by Plymouth University Marine Biologists …
I love the Gandhi quote they give us:
‘Earth
provides enough to sustain every
man’s need, but not every man’s greed.’
Mahatma Gandhi (1869 – 1948)
So their tag lines are:
Become Plastic Clever … reduce our usage … make small
adjustments to our everyday lives
It’s Smart to be Clever … think forward …
Continue helping our family, friends, community and
through them reach our leaders to encourage them to be visionary decision
makers …
Recognise that Hope is a Powerful Force …
We need to help future generations have the best start
in life … so let’s become plastic clever.
Here’s to Being Smart Adults … let us continue to
remove plastic from our lives and help wildlife be there for us and our future
generations.
We are the World Blogfest
In Darkness, Be Light
When I was in Canada I read an article about beeswax wraps - an alternative to plastic wrap - as Hels from Australia mentions in her comment she hadn't found an alternative ... and this might be something some of you'd be interested in:
https://www.naturebeewraps.ca/
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
28 comments:
Good morning Hilary: Thanks for covering this important topic. I cannot heap enough praise on these kids for their efforts to reduce this pervasive, insidious pollution. Considering the state of the oceans, it is without question one of the great issues of our time, from both a moral and a practical viewpoint. Yet people in general seem to pay it little heed and continue to use plastics when there are acceptable alternatives. Convenience and self-interest seem to trump every other consideration for some.
Good on Amy and Ella! So important to keep on about the awfulness of plastic and how it permeates every area of our lives. Even now, masks are landing up on sea shores and river banks. Let alone all the other dreadful noncombustible bits of plastic polluting EVERY thing. Their book would be an ideal Christmas or birthday book. I wish it great success. Thanks Hilary, great post for #WATWB...
Our obsession with plastic amazes me. I doesn't inconvenience us that much to use less. Good on these two girls!
Good for them! The amount of plastic that finds its way into the ocean is horrifying. We do our best to reduce, reuse (e.g. washing out and reusing ziplok bags multiple times) and recycle. And most grocery stores have phased out plastic shopping bags. But there is still a distressing amount of packaging that we have no control over.
Thank you for this post! We live close to the Pacific in California, and the trash buildup is horrific. God gave us all His world's abundance and we trash it.
Wonderful. Huge congratulations to them - and to those who follow the path that they (and others) have laid out for us.
Love the Gandhi quote too. How true it is.
Two young people - who exemplify my hopes for the future.
This is excellent, Hilary - inspirational, in fact! Great to hear about young people leading the way without comng across as patronising. I doubt many of us realised, years ago, the harm that plastic would cause.
It seemed so great back in the day. Alas, we didn't foresee all the issues.
Still an important topic!! Avoiding plastic is not easy because so many products from the supermarket are covered in the stuff. So now I carry large cloth bags and buy fruit-veg etc loose.
The only problem I cannot solve is finding a substitute for Gladwrap, the plastic you put on plates of leftover food, to keep it longer.
@ David – there’s so much going on re plastic – they are finding ways to recycle it … but obviously not easily once it’s disappeared into the ocean blue. I’ve never understood why people need to buy water – especially in so-called first world countries … we have perfectly good tap water.
Also I can never understand why people are so inconsiderate with their rubbish – it’s getting worse by the minute: I’d say …
You’re right – convenience, self-interest and lack of responsibility win for many …
@ Susan – it’s great isn’t it – they’ve been involved for over ten years now … and I’m sure in their adult lives they’ll continue to implore all peoples to consider their thoughtfulness … we can all do a little …
Excellent – delighted that you’re thinking about their book being a great Christmas or birthday present book.
@ Jacqui – it certainly doesn’t take much to use less … but since we’ve stopped single use plastic here – people buy heavier duty bags – which end up in landfill, or charity shops … lack of thought. I agree good for these two young ladies …
@ Ian – I agree – you must see lots floating around the Saanich Peninsula … I noticed the organisations highlighting the plastic blight when I was out living on Vancouver Island.
Yes – the packaging of items for delivery purposes is frustrating … also when people can buy single items I’m always horrified at how they’re thrown back, when not wanted … as too the tellers (sales clerks) some chuck the stuff down, rather than gently put it down avoiding bruising …
@ Susan – we have as you say been blessed with a wonderful world … but through our rubbish we are destroying it; things won’t survive and perhaps we won’t either … but the world will turn itself around without us.
@ EC – thanks … I know they’ve done an amazing job getting their ideas out there and have been collaborating with extraordinary far-sighted others. I love the Gandhi quote – so true, as you say … and yes these young people, and others like them, do exemplify our future …
@ Mike – thank you and as you say inspirational. Amy and Ella do seem to have the right approach – encouraging all peoples.
I wonder – I’m sure we did know … but every new thing was new … and we never thought about how they were made or how they got here – I hope we can sort the world out for the future …
@ Liz – yes … we didn’t foresee the issues – some did I think … but the general population just went along the easy route …
@ Hels – I know, sadly an important topic. Yes and though the supermarkets are slowly changing – people are lazy and don’t attempt to help their world.
I’ve emailed you re something I saw in Canada - ‘Beeswax Wraps’ … I’ll put the link into my blog post … after I’ve posted these. I don’t use any wrap – as I’m not cooking for others now – so I make a plan … but I did like the sound of it …
Thanks so much to you all for your visits and thoughts – plastic is a nightmare that somehow we need to sort out. I know lots of technicians and scientists are actively trying to find ways that will eliminate ‘the mountains or islands’ of the stuff – as you’ve all suggested we can do our bit.
I have to admit I still don't understand why we, as humans, don't appear to care of the mess and lack of thought we give life .... Take care and stay safe - Hilary
It is an issue that needs addressing! Thanks very much for telling us about this book and the efforts behind it.
Hope you are well these days! Take care. x
Inspirational young people.
I cannot say I never use plastic because I do, however, I don't like to use single use plastic prefering reuseable items and container and such
Hi, Hilary - Thank you for posting this important reminder. Each and every one of us CAN make a HUGE difference to our environment!
Hi Hilary - What was a great initiative. Thanks for sharing this. I shall check this out. The damage that plastic causes are horrendous. Maybe we can't avoid plastic altogether, but surely we can minimize.
I've made easy steps to removing plastic - I use a lot of refillable products now, solid deodorant which comes in a metal tin, and I've started making my own gluten-free biscuits (because shop-bought ones come in a plastic tray as well as the plastic wrapper!!). We definitely think a lot more about the items we buy, but things need to change at the manufacturing level too.
I've become infamous at work for going around and fishing plastic bottles out of my coworker's trash bins. Fine, laugh at me... but really, c'mon people! Maybe we can't eliminate plastic, maybe you don't want to bother to try to reduce, but SURELY you can at least take the extra step to use the recycle bin rather than than your wastebasket! *grumble, grumble, kick!, grumble*
Here in Bexhill, and I'm sure it's the same in Eastbourne we seem to have suddenly become conscious of plastic that washes up on the beach and teams of pickers visit at low tide regularly to do their bit. As for the book? I'm going to give it to my granddaughter!
That sounds like a great book to make kids aware of these issues. Sounds like adults would learn a lot too. Congrats to Amy and Ella!
It was much easier to be plastic clever -- and considerate -- when I could go to the store myself. I'm way too vulnerable to the covid-19 virus with my age and two major illnesses. Well, one major and some lung issues. So I order online and pick up at the store. And even though the stores in California is better than most about this, I feel terrible with some of the things I get in plastic wrappers and containers.
Wonderful idea for the young ones, and clever tag lines to teach them. <3
Leave it to the youth to save us from ourselves. I totally confess to being very guilty about plastic stuff. Water bottles, etc. Must do better. Your post was a good reminder and I swear to adhere to a greener life. (Alas, easier said than done, but I shall try more)
@ Kay – thanks Kay … it’s a wonderful story – the girls have done so well …
@ Anabel – yes they are inspirational aren’t they …
@ Jo-Anne – it’s good we’re all doing what we can, glad you are too …
@ Donna – thank you … yes we can all make a difference and adjust our ways to stay responsible re plastic …
@ Pradeep – that’s great you’ll check the book out … and also you’re right – we can minimise our usage can’t we …
@ Annalisa – well done on changing over to refillable products – that does make sense: interesting about the deodorant. That’s good to hear you’re thinking about your usage … as a family … but I agree about the manufacturing process – probably the supermarkets too … but it’s us in the middle who need to really adjust …
@ Jz – oh well done for setting an example … I can’t believe how irresponsible people are and continue to be – especially when you’re going round and taking things out of their bins … I don’t blame you for grumbling …
I do wonder what they do at home … are their homes as dysfunctional as they appear to behave outside it … ? Our beaches have been left foul after visitors over the summer – it’s been depressing to see it …
@ Keith – yes sorry … I’d just written the above before I remembered your comment. I know they’re doing the same here – and I’d be there, but for reasons am not able to join in. That’s great you’ll give the book to your granddaughter … fantastic to know that.
@ Nick – yes the book is so well set out … and I’m sure will be of valuable to many … children, their parents, the community … and yes I certainly feel adults could learn a great deal.
@ Inger – I know there come times when we can’t avoid using plastic – but for those who are easily mobile I would hope they would make adjustments. I don’t blame you for picking your order up … and they’ll have used plastic to separate items – we can all understand your dilemma …
@ DG – yes I liked the tag lines …and their approach to getting the word out …
@ Joanne – yes I know – they’ll get a bee in their bonnet and make sure we help them all we can. So glad you’ll adjust your use of plastic bottles … and think about other things …
Thanks to you all – each of us can do better … but it does take a little effort – though I’m sure we can all help the earth, flora and fauna …
encouraging others ...
Plastic is another pandemic we have to deal with on an urgent basis! Kudos to Amy & Ella!
Stay safe and well. <3
Hi Nila - yes .. plastic is another pandemic isn't it ... it's horrific how far it's infiltrated the natural world. As you say kudos to the two young ladies - who I'm sure will go on to bright future.
Thanks for coming by ... you too stay safe and well ... Hilary
good for Amy and Ella so important to be friendly with our wonderful planet.
~moonie
Hi Moonie - thanks for coming by ... yes - so right ... we all need to be friendly with our wonderful planet ... great to see you - Hilary
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