I propose that Humber College implement a ban on all single-use plastic products, such as Styrofoam, straws, bottles, and bags.
Background
Analysts reported that plastic production increases every 20 years by two times, and by 2050, the oceans could contain more artificial material than fish (Atwood & Sandborn, 2018). The situation with plastic management presents a challenging issue for authorities and non-governmental organizations. While moving towards a better tomorrow, Humber College maintains plans to enhance plastics and other substances’ sustainable usage.
Problem
Most people at Humber College regularly use plastics. Students are served meals in plastic containers in most of the eateries within the campus. These plastics are for one-time use, after which they are disposed, leading to increased plastic waste within the organization’s area.
Causes
Most campus students buy and utilize single-use plastic products and then discard them into the garbage bins. These products include straws, water bottles, and packaging bags. Further, many of these disposed substances break down into micro-plastics. Then, these small parts are additionally exported from the contaminated sites to other areas of the college, leading to increased plastic waste within the institution (“Moving Canada toward zero plastic waste: Closed consultation,” 2019). Moreover, there is limited or no access to environmentally sound and affordable products instead of plastic materials.
Best Practices
According to Atwood & Sandborn (2018), the ban on single-use plastic products can play a critical role in sustainable waste management. Besides, increased waste diversion from 42% to 70% will enable a reduction in overall plastic waste generated (Humber College, n.d.). The college administration should also increase access to affordable non-plastic products and reduce the usage of plastic-packed goods within the educational organization. Options for reusable or biodegradable packaging and awareness of plastic waste solutions management among students should be spread through educational campaigns.
Evaluation and Rationale
I propose that the college enact regulations that will eliminate single-use plastic items within the school, such as imposing a ban. The college should provide only tap water instead of bottled one for on-campus events (“Moving Canada toward zero plastic waste: Closed consultation,” 2019). The authorities of the educational organization should ensure the following:
- Conduct a plastic waste audit.
- Develop a plastic management plan.
- Develop a tracking program for plastic yard waste.
- Develop plastics reuse.
- Incentivize technologies, such as plastic-eating enzymes.
- Make producers pay for the safe disposal of their products (“Moving Canada toward zero plastic waste: Closed consultation,” 2019).
- Improve the collection and management of plastics to avoid exportation.
Conclusion
There is no ultimate practice to avoid plastic wastes. The college management should reduce access to plastic-packed products and instead increase the supply of environmentally-sound alternatives, such as compostable plastics. Moreover, there should be a ban on critical single-use products, such as the sale of small water bottles that form the central part of plastic use within the college. Thus, different community organizations and institutions should avoid using Styrofoam, plastic cups, bottles, and straws to contribute to sustainability.
References
Atwood, M., & Sandborn, C. (2018). Can Canada reinvent the plastic economy?The Globe and Mail. Web.
Humber College. (n.d.).Humber sustainability plan (2014-2019). Web.
Moving Canada toward zero plastic waste: Closed consultation. (2019). Government of Canada. Web.