Ncumisa

NO MORE PLASTIC CUTLERY “Do not pollute the land where you live and where I dwell, says the Lord” Numbers 35:34. Fast food joints offer plastic forks, knives and spoons. More than half of these are thrown away without being recycled.  What happens then? Waterways become polluted When you throw something “away” there is no such place as “away” – it goes somewhere. Blown by the wind, taken by the rain, they often end up in rivers and oceans. Wildlife become endangered Fast foods are often consumed outside when people are travelling, the cutlery gets thrown out of the car.  Domestic and wild animals will feed on these items, with some animals mistaking them for food, and end up being choked to death or causing severe injuries to their bodies. The consumption of plastics can also clog up the stomachs of the animals if they don’t injure or cause their death. High carbon footprint Plastic cutlery has a lot of impact even before it gets to the market. This is because there is a lot of energy and carbon that are emitted during their production leading to the addition of heat and carbon to the atmosphere. This carbon, in the form of carbon dioxide, combines with other greenhouse gases such as methane and end up causing devastating climatic changes. Extinction of marine species The presence of plastic cutlery on large water bodies means that there is a cause of suffocation for the marine life. Various species in marine waters depend on the circulation of air that comes from the atmosphere and diffuses into the water. Moreover, some of these small plastic cutleries such as spoons and forks can be ingested when mistaken for food by the marine life leading to death. Fishes can also be entangled in some of these cutleries leading to suffocation. When fish have consumed tiny particles of plastic, it becomes more and more concentrated as it moves up the food chain and is eventually eaten by humans. Air pollution At times, some people resort to burning the cutlery plastic waste, which ends up releasing lots of toxins into the atmosphere. These toxins mix with the same air that living organisms, both plants and animals, take up. The take up of this contaminated air over long period of time may lead to a myriad of respiratory diseases for humans, especially those that can be cancerous. The sea bed is also becoming a deposit of plastics. Plastics have also been found on islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. During a study trip by scientists to  Antarctica, whose climatic conditions do not support human life, plastics were discovered there. Harmful to the health of humans Eating hot meals from plastic cutlery is particularly dangerous as when plastics are exposed to high temperatures , chemicals are released which then get Consumed  with the food. What can we do? Wash up!! If you are having a function or event, get people to donate or buy a set of cutlery  for the church. Wash up for creation! Use wooden stirrers instead of plastic tea spoons Compostable Cutlery – There are quite a few options available now, of compostable cutlery that should be put with the food waste. Recycling – Plastic cutlery can be used many times over and then washed and recycled. Carry your own tea spoon – Pop a tea spoon in your hand bag or backpack so you never have to use a plastic tea spoon #beatplasticpollution #waronwaste #zeroplastic #greenanglicans #iamanglican References https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/environmental-impact-plastic-cutlery-and-solutions.php

NO MORE SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” Gen 1:20 Plastic bags start out as fossil fuels and end up as deadly waste in landfills and the ocean. Birds often mistake shredded plastic bags for food, filling their stomachs with toxic debris. For hungry sea turtles, it’s nearly impossible to distinguish between jellyfish and floating plastic shopping bags. Fish eat thousands of tons of plastic a year, transferring it up the food chain to bigger fish and marine mammals. Retail giants continue to use them for nearly every purchase made in their stores 10 Facts About Single-use Plastic Bags Worldwide we use 500 billion plastic bags per year. That is one million per minute Fewer than one in seven plastic bags are recycled It only takes 14 plastic bags for the equivalent of the petrol needed to drive one kilometre Up to 80% of ocean plastic pollution enters the ocean from land At least 267 different species are killed by plastic bags annually 100,000 marine animals are killed by plastic bags every year One in three sea turtles have been found with plastic in their stomachs Plastic bags are used for an average of 12 minutes It takes 500 years for a plastic bag to degrade in a landfill. Plastic bags don’t break down, they break up into microplastics that continue to pollute the land or ocean. What can we do? Step One:  Bring your own bag for grocery shopping. All it takes is to remember before you go shopping. Buy some fold up bags to keep in your handbag or backpack for those unexpected buys. If you forget your bag, ask for a box. Step Two: Ask your local supermarket to stop using single use plastic. You can write to the manager Step Three: Get involved in a national ban campaign to ban the single use plastic bag. If you can’t find one, start one! The following countries have already banned single use plastic bags – Rwanda, Kenya, Morocco, Bali, Taiwan and France References https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/population_and_sustainability/sustainability/plastic_bag_facts.html www.getaway.co.za/travel-news/countries-that-have-banned-plastic/ #rethinkthebag #bringyourownbag #beatplasticpollution #greenanglicans #iamanglican

“the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas”. Psalm 8 v 8 Globally, more than 1billion single-use plastic straws are used and thrown out daily. They are lightweight and easily blown by the wind. They are not recyclable. Animals can mistake straws for food, which can lead to their deaths. And straws are wasteful.Plastic doesn’t break down, so it doesn’t become part of the natural cycle again. Plastic breaks up, into smaller and smaller pieces, which remain and then become part of the food chain.” Over one million birds are killed by plastic every year, many by straws. Paper straws were popular through the 1960s until plastic straws replaced them — and thus began the  fixation with plastic straws. In the present day, plastic straws make up 99% of the global drinking straw market, with paper, glass, and metal straws making up the other 1%. Why are plastic straws  not recyclable?. They  are made from polypropylene, which is a byproduct of petroleum, a fossil fuel that requires an incredible amount of energy and natural resources to extract and refine. Size is the biggest barrier to straw recycling. As plastic travels down conveyor belts while being sorted, small items like bottle caps and straws fall through the cracks and end up being sent to the landfill. What do to? First – just refuse it! Ask the waitron not bring you a straw Second – use an alternative. You can purchase a packet of paper straws to carry with you, or a re-usable straw made of bamboo, glass, or stainless steel . Third – ask the restaurant or shop to kindly stop using plastic straws. You can ask the waitron for the contact details of the manager and ask him or her. Fourth – share this video on social media. Believe me, you will NEVER use a straw again! #strawssuck #thelaststraw #beatplasticpollution #greenanglicans References https://livegreen.recyclebank.com/column/because-you-asked/what-s-so-bad-about-plastic-straws https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/aquarium-makes-a-strong-case-against-deadly-straws-12762824

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.  1 Cor 10:23 Styrofoam or Polystyrene is cheap, and light and has become  a very popular item for serving food and takeaways. Many churches use it for large functions. What is wrong with it? It is a known hazardous substance Styrofoam is made of puffed #6 plastic: “polystyrene” (PS), made ‘of many styrenes’. Styrene is classified a known hazardous substance and has many ties to cancer.  Styrofoam is also made up of other hazardous chemicals, such as benzene. It leaches(Seeps) into food and drink It is especially dangerous to heat a Styrofoam container in the microwave. When paired with liquid and heat , a Styrofoam container’s toxins (like benzene and styrene) seep into the contents. But even with cold or dry food, contact with Styrofoam is unhealthy. A huge portion of our food contains styrene contamination. its in the air and on your skin. The most common route of exposure to these harmful chemicals is simply inhalation. You also get exposure each time you touch it, since the chemicals can seep into your body through your skin. its toxic just to make it. Its industry ranks the  largest creators of toxic wastes . That includes liquid and solid wastes. Gross. Imagine the impact on the workers! it ends up at litter everywhere Because Styrofoam is so light and crumbles easily, it’s almost too easy for it to end up out in our woods, rivers, and prairies. Once it’s there, it’s there to stay. Styrofoam will break down into microscopic styrenes and other harmful chemicals, and they will linger in the soil and water for centuries to come. It’s an especially serious problem in our world’s oceans. it still depletes the ozone layer  You may remember the ruckus around banning CFCs in the 90’s? Well, Styrofoam now utilizes its chemical cousins instead – which still do harm to the ozone layer. Styrene has a way of evaporating its fumes into the air, which is bad for our lungs as well as the ozone layer that protects us from the sun’s cancer-causing rays. Even in landfill it is not safe According to the Environmental protection agency,  as styrene leaches from landfills into our drinking water, it causes liver, kidney, or circulatory system problems. People living in poverty are more likely to live near landfills and factories, and are disproportionately affected. #banfoam #stopplasticpollution #greenanglicans #lessplasticforlent Reference https://greendiningalliance.org/2015/10/8-reasons-to-ban-styro-foam/

Community Action :Recycle! “When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” John 6;12 This Lent, set up a recycling system at home and encourage your church and office or school  to do so. . Below are the reasons why we need to recycle more: It’s a global problem Accumulation of waste is not just a problem for a single nation; it’s a global problem. If waste is allowed to accumulate unabated, humans might run out of locations to bury synthetic waste, or the waste might bring devastating effects to the environment, Conserve natural resources Plants are considered limited resources. If a lot of pressure is exerted on these natural resources, they might be depleted fast. The only way to dramatically stop the pressure applied to these resources is recycling. Statistics according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency show that recycling one ton of paper saves up about 17 trees, and those trees take in carbon emissions. Saves energy Recycling has been proved to save up lots of energy. Companies that utilize recycled aluminum save up to 95% energy during production of aluminum products when compared to companies that source raw materials. Minimizes accumulation in landfills Landfill space for waste disposal can run out if a solution is not found. Cities situated near oceans have been polluting the water for many years due to landfill overflow. The oceans cannot entertain this habit anymore. The only way is recycling. As much as 60-75% of waste occurring in landfills can be recycled. Beefs up property value One of the most effective ways to beef up the value of your property is to embrace recycling. People who take up the practice of recycling reduce the amount of waste going into landfills. It’s a no-brainer that landfills significantly lower property value since nobody likes the idea of living near a smelly landfill. Leads to creation of jobs More recycling plants mean more jobs. Statistically, recycling creates 10 times more employment opportunities than landfill waste management. It can be a way that your church or school can earn some income. Accelerates technological advancements The modern day has seen increased social pressure to embrace more eco-friendly practices. This has forced companies to search for innovative technologies to incorporate recycled materials into their line of products. The new technologies are best for Mother Nature. Conserves wildlife Increased use of recycled products puts a break to the exploitation of natural resources like forests, rivers, lakes and wetlands, which are natural habitats for wildlife. Ensures a truly sustainable future Planet earth has only  limited amount of natural resources and restricted capacity to recycle waste. By recycling, we are doing two great things to our future: minimizing our immediate effect on planet earth and developing sustainable practices for future generations. Accumulation of waste causes deadly diseases Poor disposal and accumulation of waste in landfills leads to the emission of toxic and infectious gasses. If these gasses are inhaled over time, they may lead to wide range of respiratory diseases such as asthma. Also, if the toxic liquids draining from landfills find way into water sources, infectious diseases like diarrhea, typhoid, and dysentery could spread. Maintains ground water quality If landfills are allowed to accumulate, they can impact the quality of groundwater. Most landfill management companies do not make any effort to treat their landfills. They only throw the waste in a dug-up hole and bury it Rain water or runoff water coming from landfills snake through land to water bodies such as streams, rivers, and lakes. This  destroys the already fragile ecosystems and renders the once fresh and safe waters risky to drink. Clean cities and neighborhoods The plastics end up scattered in city streets and neighborhoods leaving these places looking unsightly. Recycling will ensure these plastics never occur in streets as people will be picking them up to sell to recycling companies. Keeps waste collection costs down The cost of collecting garbage from every neighborhood is relatively expensive. Large trucks have to be deployed to pick up and transport the waste to landfills. Recycling has significantly reduced the cost of collection as most garbage goes to recycling plants. #lessplasticforlent #beatplasticpollution #greenanglicans References https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/why_should_we_recycle.php  

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Cor 10:31  500 billion plastic cups are used every year. Most of them have lids which end up in landfill or the oceans and are one of the most commonly found plastics on the beach Most of them are from cooldrinks, sometimes the cup is paper and will break down – but often it contains plastic to stop leakages. . Coffee cups are the worst. 16 billion coffee cups are used each year. it’s not as easy to recycle your takeaway coffee cup as people may have thought. Here’s a depressing statistic – 99.75% of coffee cups are not recycled. It’s the mixture of paper and plastic in their inner lining – designed to make them both heat and leakproof – that causes difficulties. A growing number of retailers and offices are buying compostable cups However, compostable cups have to be disposed of in food waste bins rather than in a normal recycling bin and this is an issue for both homeowners and managers of cafes or workplace canteens. “Compostable sounds better, but it can actually make things worse if they are put in the wrong bin.” Because they are designed to break down, if they end up in with the plastic recycling they can contaminate it. The same is true if you put an ordinary takeaway coffee cup in the recycling. This costs councils money in sorting it and can even lead to the whole batch of recycled items being rejected. The other problem with compostables is that they are often made from maize or corn. This means that fertile agricultural land is being used to produce throw away cups rather than food. This leads to rising food prices. Some coffee shops are now offering a reduction in price if you use your own re-usable mug. Plastic lids are a symptom of our rushed life-style- you can do without them! – sit down, spend some time with other people, enjoy a couple of minutes of peace and enjoy that coffee or cool drink. So what can we do? At Church – let’s go back to using cups and saucers and washing them up! If you are on the road – bring your own re-usable mug. For large events such as conferences – if the signage is clear – use compostables and make sure they go onto the food waste. Refuse the plastic lid. References https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-43739043