×

Using plastics is dangerous for the environment

To the Editor:

I recently read a couple of articles regarding the extent to which the proliferation of plastic disposable water bottles and plastic bags is affecting our environment, and thought you might find the info of interest.

Plastic bottles and bags can take up to 1,000 years to degrade. Recycling slows down the spread of plastic into our soil and water, but it is merely postponing the inevitable. Once these products are produced, the damage is done.

Millions of barrels of oil are expended annually to make these products.

The recommended eight glasses of water per day at tap rates would cost about 49 cents annually, as opposed to approximately $1,095 for bottled water.

There are an estimated 46,000 pieces of plastic in every square mile of the ocean. Over 90 percent of all sea birds have plastic in their stomach, and many fish ingest plastic, harming them and people who eat them.

A recent test involving 25 different bottled waters found that none of them would have passed the Safe Water Drinking Act standards that apply to tap water.

If we could use reusable bags for shopping and nonplastic reusable water bottles, we could contribute to making our environment safer and healthier for all.

I strongly urge us to consider reducing our use of plastic.

Charlie McCaffery

Merrimack

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]