Lehman Students Call for Eco-Friendlier Campus
Lehman students designing their own eco-friendly bags in Carman Hall. (Photo Credit: Yadira Gomez)
By Yadira Gomez
About two million plastic bags are used per minute worldwide, according to “29 Plastic Pollution Facts You Must Know.” New York State, where single-use plastic bags will be banned as of March 1, 2020, currently uses 23 billion of them per year; New York City alone uses 10 billion annually, National Geographic reports. Every year, the same magazine states, nearly 700 species including birds, fish, and many other animals are killed by plastics, which also impact human health.
“When animals eat it, eventually, we eat plastic as well,” said Kimberly Gonzalez, 27, University Volunteer Student of the Church Mission of God, located in the Bronx, NY. “Plastic… is very harmful because it can’t be discomposed. Both animals and human beings consume the plastic-remains that are falling into the ocean.” Members of her church and Lehman students advocate for a more eco-friendly approach to help the environment by reducing plastic usage.
Plastic’s durability means that instead of fully discomposing, it breaks down into small particles that remain on the planet for a long time. Because of their microscopic size, these pieces are difficult to see. They not only enter animals’ digestive systems, but also go into the soil, crops and the air.
A recent study in the journal, Environmental Science and Technology, says that humans “may be consuming anywhere from 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles a year. With added estimates of how much microplastic might be inhaled, that number is more than 74,000."
Humans are of course the ones producing plastic too. Some Lehman students suggest that biodegradable alternatives can substitute for plastic materials, as these decompose through bacteria, without harming the environment.
Students were supplied with markers and paint to create their own designs for their new bags. (Photo Credit: Yadira Gomez)
“Instead of buying plastic cups, people should substitute them with paper cups,” said Paola Rendon, 29, Lehman senior and social work major. “Plastic is good in some ways, but people are over-using it. People are not aware of how bad plastic is to the environment to the animals. Even though we use it so much, it causes harm to ourselves.”
“Reusable bags help the ecosystem; also, instead of using plastic cups, we can use thermal cups,” said Gonzalez.
The most common way for people to carry their grocery shopping is with the plastic bags they are offered at the store. Using eco-friendly reusable bags instead reduces the risk of contaminating the ocean and therefore killing the wildlife. “Reusable bags help us reduce plastic littering because they become a personal item to us,” said Jasmin Vassallo, 28, Lehman junior.
Many stores, from Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s to Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, and Home Goods are now encouraging costumers to use recyclable bags instead of plastic bags by selling them for just .99 cents. Next year that shift will be imposed more broadly. According to the New York Department of Conservation, the upcoming ban on single-use plastic bags will apply to all stores in the state required to collect sales tax.
Starting in March, plastic bags will be banned throughout all of New York State. (Photo Credit: Yadira Gomez)
“When you are spending your money on a bag, it’s harder to throw it out as garbage,” said Vassallo. “It’s also fun to buy reusable bags that are cute and stylish.”
Lehman students say the campus should follow these stores’ lead with more than just bags. “There are ways our campus could reduce plastic waste, like decreasing the usage of single-use plastic containers, utensils, cups, wrappers, straws, and other items in the cafeteria,” said Samantha Di Donato, anthropology, biology, and chemistry triple major at Lehman. “It wouldn’t be too difficult or disruptive because it would just be replacing the current items with more environmentally-friendly ones.”
