Before 1970, it was perfectly legal for factories to eject clouds of harmful smoke into the air or dump tons of toxic waste into nearby streams. With no Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Clean Air Act, or Clean Water Act, there were no ramifications for contributing to the earth’s destruction.

Fifty-four years ago, on April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day movement, created by Senator Gaylord Nelson, was celebrated, forcing the issue onto the national agenda. By December of the same year, Congress authorized the creation of the new federal agency, the EPA.

Every year, a new theme is designated for Earth Day. The theme for 2024 is Planet vs. Plastics, advocating for widespread awareness of the health risks of plastics and demanding a 60% reduction in plastic production by 2040.

In case you weren’t aware, plastic stays around for a long time – practically never decomposing, threatening wildlife, and spreading toxins.

Most plastics are made using Polyvinyl Chloride, or PVC. According to the National Institutes of Health, PVC releases toxic, chlorine-based chemicals and is one of the world’s largest dioxin sources. Dioxin is a highly toxic compound produced as a byproduct in some manufacturing processes, notably herbicide production and paper bleaching.

A study by the University of Colorado Boulder’s Environmental Center states, “The refinement of plastics emits 184 to 213 million metric tons of greenhouse gasses yearly. Landfills, where single-use plastics are sent, account for over 15% of methane emissions.”

A story by CNN on plastic waste mentioned that “The world is producing a record amount of single-use plastic waste, mostly made from polymers created from fossil fuels, despite global efforts to reduce plastic pollution and carbon emissions.”

Despite the heartbreaking statistics, people and places like the Earth Day Organization are fighting to make our planet healthier. Here are some things you can do to contribute to the movement against plastic.

• Use a reusable water bottle.

• Bring a reusable bag to the store.

• Avoid overly packaged items at the grocery store, such as pre-cut fruits and vegetables.

• Grocery shop at a bulk foods store.

• Repurpose old bottles or containers.

• Cook at home instead of ordering takeout, which often includes extra plastic packaging.

• Get a travel cutlery set.

• Use bar soaps and shampoos instead of liquids in plastic bottles.

Today, Earth Day is recognized as the planet’s largest civic event. What are you doing to honor our planet – our home?

To learn more about Earth Day, please visit https://www.earthday.org/ or find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EarthDay.Org/.