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Earth Day 2018: End Plastic Pollution

Posted on: April 22, 2018, in Community, DID YOU KNOW, Latest News

What is Earth Day?
“Close to 48 years ago, on 22 April 1970, millions of people took to the streets to protest the negative impacts of 150 years of industrial development.
In the US and around the world, smog was becoming deadly and evidence was growing that pollution led to developmental delays in children. Biodiversity was in decline as a result of the heavy use of pesticides and other pollutants.
The global ecological awareness was growing, and the US Congress and President Nixon responded quickly. In July of the same year, they created the Environmental Protection Agency, and robust environmental laws such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, among many.
Earth Day is now a global event each year, and we believe that more than 1 billion people in 192 countries now take part in what is the largest civic-focused day of action in the world.” Excerpt taken from www.earthday.org.
 
Earth Day 2018: End Plastic Pollution
“Plastic pollution is poisoning our oceans and land, injuring marine life, and affecting our health!
Help End Plastic Pollution by finding out how many plastic items you consume
every year and make a PLEDGE to reduce the amount.
Earth Day 2018 is dedicated to providing the information and inspiration needed to fundamentally
change human attitude and behavior about plastics.“
Excerpt taken from www.earthday.org.
 
How is Umngazi getting involved?
Umngazi will no longer be using or supplying plastic straws, and here’s why: STRAW’S SUCK!

  • Over 500 million straws are used daily. That’s enough straws to circle the earth 2.5 times!
  • 90% of marine animals have eaten plastic. Each year, 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals die from ingesting plastic.
  • Plastic straws are made in 10 minutes, used in 20 minutes and remain on earth forever since they are not biodegradable.

Get involved and be part of the change – reject plastic straws!
CLICK HERE to take further action to End Plastic Pollution on Earth Day and beyond!
 
Earth Day 2018 - End Plastic Pollution
 

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