Enforcement of the ordinance on the beach, as with the
previously existing bans on glass and metal shovels, will fall
to the Kiawah Beach Patrol. Citizens who observe flagrant
disregard for the ordinance should report such incidents to
the Kiawah Beach Patrol or other Town officials.
Is our work done?
Clearly NOT. Even with rigorous enforcement, plastics
exempted by the regulation will continue to get into our
environment, our water supply, food chains, and, ultimately,
our bodies. According to the United Nations, roughly 13
million tons of plastic end up in the ocean, where it kills
nearly 100 million marine animals each year.
Since modern plastic was first mass-produced, nearly eight
billion tons have been manufactured. When you throw it
away, much of it just crumbles into tiny pieces that can take
centuries to degrade totally. The floating garbage patch in
the Pacific Ocean alone is now estimated to contain over 79
thousand tons of plastic and to cover an area twice the size
of Texas.
Recycling is not the sole answer. All citizens must be
diligent on restricting plastic use, and we must continue
to pass distribution restrictions. Plastic bottles, cutlery,
and currently exempted items like laundry and newspaper
bags are additional “low-hanging fruit” that could easily be
regulated. Let’s not lose our momentum; the future of our
beautiful Island and our children depends on it. NK
10 Things You Can Do to Reduce
Your Plastic Footprint
• • In stores, look for goods in sustainable packaging
containers, made from recycled pulp material.
• • Use reusable mesh produce bags at the grocery
store.
• • When traveling, fill reusable containers with your
personal care items rather than using hotel plastic
packaged products.
• • Use glass or aluminum reusable water bottles.
• • Select biodegradable cups rather than plastic ones.
They are made from plant-based materials and
come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
• • Reusable shopping bags aren’t just for groceries and
they are much more effective when you don’t leave
them in your back seat.
• • Bamboo eating utensils are compostable and can
eliminate the need to use traditional plastic utensils.
• • Use silk dental floss.
• • Decorate for parties with paper signs and natural
items such as flowers and petals rather than plastic
or Mylar balloons.
• • Always recycle when you can and remember when
you leave any beach or recreational area to takeaway
more trash than you brought.
WINTER/SPRING 2020 • VOLUME 42
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