Earth Day 2024: Planet vs. Plastics

April 22^nd marks the world’s 54^th Earth Day! National Park Week usually coincides with Earth Day. For 2024, National Park Week will be observed from Saturday, April 20^th through Sunday, April 28^th. Park entry fees will be waived on April 20^th to encourage everyone to get out and enjoy their national parks. Honor Earth Day 2024 by organizing or participating in a local clean up, exploring the Earthday.org website, and learning more about the NPS’s efforts in plastic reduction and sustainability through the Green Parks Plan (GPP) and Plastics Elimination and Reduction Plan.This year’s Earth Day theme is Planet vs. Plastics, the campaign aims to demand a 60 percent reduction in plastics by 2040 and encompasses four goals highlighted below:

Widespread Awareness

The first goal is to bring widespread awareness to the importance of ending plastic pollution by helping everyone understand the impacts of plastic pollution. Plastic is everywhere and the impact on human health is not yet fully understood. However, we know through emerging research that plastic has made its way into our bodies. Read more about the health implications of plastics here.Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, has issued a Secretary’s Order (SO) calling for a department-wide approach to reducing plastic pollution and calling for a reduction in the amount of plastic waste produced by the Department. In response to the SO, the NPS has developed a Plastics Elimination and Reduction Plan that includes actions for concessioners, commercial use authorization (CUA) holders, and partners of the NPS.

Phasing out Single-use Plastics

Plastics are the most common type of marine debris. More than 200 species have been documented consuming plastic and it is estimated that at least 14 million tons end up in the ocean annually. The breakdown of larger plastics in our environment leads to microplastics that are found nearly everywhere in our world including in the human body. The impacts of single use plastics on the environment and public heath are widespread. Read more about microplastics in drinking water at EarthDay.org.Concessioners can support the efforts to phase out single-use plastics by identifying alternatives and participating in the initiatives outlined in the Plastic Elimination and Reduction plan like sales of reusable water bottles and water in aluminum bottles and paper cartons; installation of water bottle refilling stations; elimination of plastic utensils and Styrofoam products; elimination of single-use toiletry products in plastic containers in lodging; and new and improved electronic/battery recycling.The NPS discontinued the use of plastic bags and Styrofoam containers several years ago. Drinking straws should not be made out of plastic and available only on request at food and beverage outlets. Receipts should be electronic unless a paper receipt is requested.

Demanding Policies Ending Fast Fashion

The clothing and apparel industry is one of the most polluting industries. Nearly 70 percent of clothing is made using crude oil. During the manufacturing process, toxic dyes, microfibers, and heavy metals are released into water streams. Clothing production has doubled since 2000 and shows no signs of slowing down as demand continues to grow and clothing items are not produced to last.Synthetic textiles contribute 60 percent of the microplastics in the environment. Concessioners can help reduce textiles in landfills by offering clothing made of 100 percent cotton, hemp, and other natural fibers, and using natural fiber linens in lodging (sheets and towels) and restaurants (napkins and tablecloths). Offer high quality items that can be reused for years to come.

Investing in Innovative Technologies

Implementing innovated technology can drastically reduce our environmental impact and has the power to reduce our plastic use too. Consider purchasing items packaged in bioplastics made from renewable sources like vegetable fats, corn, food waste, when possible. Microplastic filters can be installed on laundry machines. In Golden Gate National Recreation area, the first hybrid ferries are carrying visitors to and from Alcatraz. These are just three examples of innovative technology transforming environmental impact. The NPS is using new technologies to adopt a zero-emission fleet, transitioning all eligible vehicles to zero emission vehicles. Read more about the park’s Green Our Rides objectives in the GPP. Vehicle tire ‘dust’ contributes 40 percent of microplastics in the environment; consider investing in longer wear tires that are less likely to shed dust.Although digitalization is not at the forefront of innovation, eliminating the production and use of paper products using technology is easy and has a big impact. Eliminating paper receipts alone has the potential save around 12 billion pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2), the equivalent of one million cars on the road. Most paper receipts are not recyclable due to a thin coating of plastic. Consider providing email receipts or only upon request and finding other ways to reduce paper use in your operations.