WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST

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Microplastic Pollution is No Small Problem

June 30, 2021 By Zack Smith

By Zack Smith

Mankind’s mass production and consumption of plastic has reached all corners of our globe, from the depths of the oceans to the air around us. Plastic pollution comes in all shapes and sizes. Whether it is large chunks of styrofoam littering the side of the road or small fragments of broken down water bottles in our waters, plastic is constantly reaching new areas on our planet. 

One form of plastic pollution that has been getting increasing attention in the recent decades is microplastic pollution. Microplastics are pieces of plastic that are less than 5 millimeters in diameter. Surprisingly, some microplastics are produced at this size. These are called primary microplastics. Secondary microplastics occur when litter or other plastic refuse enters the environment and begins breaking into thousands of little pieces. The small size and widespread abundance of microplastics make them easily transportable in our world. Consequently, scientists have been finding plastics in almost every single spot they look for them — down to the organs of living beings. 

5 different types of microplastics seen in our headwaters.

While only discovered in our global waters and environments recently, microplastic pollution has been found in museum collection specimens dating back to the 1950s. This indicates that microplastics are persistent and likely have been causing harm to life on Earth for much longer than we realized. Plastics carry contaminants and pathogens and can cause harm to species by hindering their ability to properly function. Oceans, the atmosphere, and urban rivers have been the main focus of most microplastic research as they tend to accumulate in these environments because other outputs are constantly bringing microplastics to them. Despite being a global problem, very little has been done to document microplastic pollution in low order streams like the headwaters located  here in the Trust’s program area.

Over the past year, the Watershed Protection Team has been collecting and analyzing samples of stream water for microplastics to quantify the extent of any microplastic pollution in our area. Much to our surprise, microplastics are present in all of our headwaters at higher levels than anticipated. Dating back to March 2019, over 4,600 microplastics have been identified in roughly 200 liters of sample water.

Collection of microplastic sample using a glass jar

In 2021, our Watershed Protection Team has adjusted their sampling protocols to see how a plastic-free sampling method impacts the count. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, samples were collected using our typical monthly water sampling methods, which included storing water in plastic containers, using distilled water from plastic jugs, and storing dried samples in plastic bins. Clearly, when trying to quantify and describe a major pollutant you want that pollutant absent from all aspects of collection  — hence our new, plastic-free collection. The changes that we have made to our monitoring protocol have reduced the amount of plastic present in samples; we have yet to collect any field sample that is completely plastic free, which suggests that there is plastic in our waterways. 

A collection site at Kirkwood Preserve. Photo by Anna Willig

The hope is that this method will show truer values of the microplastics in our waterways and help us determine ways we may be able to further understand this pollutant. Our aim is to constantly monitor the health of our waterways so we can relieve any unwanted strain on our downstream neighbors. With microplastics present here in our headwaters, working to reduce their impact in rivers, bays, and oceans through small changes and constant monitoring at the source can go a long way.

Filed Under: Plastic Free July, Science, Watershed

Plastic Free July: Tips from the Trust

June 30, 2021 By Monica McQuail

Planning Plastic Free Events

This year, in honor of Plastic Free July, consider throwing a Plastic Free 4th of July Party! We tried out some of these ideas for our Barns & BBQ Tailgate, and while some of them were more expensive than the cheaper plastic alternatives, they were well worth it to help save the environment. You may find it’s easier than you thought to incorporate some of these changes. Plus these plastic free alternatives can add some sweet charm to your big event:

  • 🍽️ Trade plastic utensils and plates for bamboo or compostable options, or use the real deal!
  • 🟥 Swap plastic tablecloths for fabric or ditch the tablecloths altogether!
  • 🍹 Switch your plastic cups for glassware – mason jars are an easy alternative
  • 🥤 Instead of red solo cups for games, try aluminum solo cups – you can find them at your local grocery store
  • 💧 Avoid bottled water by putting out pitchers of water
  • ♻️ Put out marked trashcans, recycling and composting bins
  • 🍉 Ditch the plastic wrap for beeswax food coverings

What to do with Plastic Pots

Plastic garden pots! What can we do with them after we use them? This always bothers me about buying plants. There is no easy answer as they are the industry standard. But we need to be more creative.

  • Ask your local nursery if they will take back clean and disinfected pots.
  • Return them to Lowes!
  • Save them and use them for starting vegetables the following season, or for dividing your plants.
  • Place your houseplants in them to go inside a decorative pot – this makes for easy-to-remove plants when it’s time to replant in a larger pot.
  • Clean and paint them to use as decorative containers.
  • Reuse them to hold gravel or mulch for your garden.
  • Convert larger ones into weed canisters as you weed your garden, which you can then dump in a larger container, compost or wheelbarrow.

What ideas do you have?

Say No to Plastic Bags!

According to @plasticfreejuly, “By choosing to refuse plastic bags, you can save around 500 plastic bags per year from entering our oceans and landfill.” 

  • Keep reusable bags in your car at all times for visits to the grocery store.
  • Place a convenient small foldable bag in your purse, so you always have a reusable bag on your person when running errands.
  • Opt for mesh produce bags to avoid using plastic when you bag your produce.
  • Consider bringing jars to stock up on bulk items like grains and coffee.
  • Urge your local legislation to tax plastic bags. Philly recently did this to much success!
  • Pro Tip: Our Rushton Farm canvas bags can be folded and put into a purse or pocket for easy convenience.

Buy a Reusable Water Bottle and Bring it with you Everywhere!

Heading out to one of our preserves for a hike? Be sure to cool off with water from a reusable bottle and #ditchtheplastic for #plasticfreejuly ! The Stewardship staff always keep their bottles handy for refills. This July stay healthy, stay cool, and stay plastic free!

Plastic Free Farming

Plastic Free July is a good chance to explain something we rely on at Rushton Farm, and something visitors may notice when they come to the farm. We use Biodegradable mulch film to cover our raised beds which greatly reduces our weed pressure. All of our transplants are planted into this mulch film so we only have to weed the planting holes. The picture of our tomatoes shows how effective it is, and the best part is, the mulch film is gone by the end of the season!! This product has been perfected over the last decade. Previously, farms could fill entire dumpsters with the plastic mulch film that had to be pulled out of the field at the end of the season. There could also be quite a bit of residual plastic left in the soil. We love our BIODEGRADABLE mulch film!!

Biodegradable mulch film also helps regulate soil temperature and soil moisture. We use black for most of our crops but switch to white for our potatoes and fall brassicas because it helps keep the soil temp cooler!

Plastic-Free Kitchen

Going plastic free starts in the home – and most importantly, in the kitchen! Often,

  • Wash or using reusable Ziploc bags whenever possible.
  • Invest in metal, wooden or silicone to-go utensils that you can include in lunchboxes.
  • Buy multi-use cups and thermoses to help reduce waste out and about.

Plastic-Free Toiletries

There are many affordable plastic-free toiletries on the market! Check them out below and see what you can find locally.

  • Bamboo Toothbrushes
  • Bar soaps
  • Toothpaste & mouthwash tablets
  • Biodegradable cotton swabs
  • Bar shampoos and conditioners

Personal Care Plastic Pollution

Beauty products are one of the top sources of single use plastic. About 120 billion units of single use plastic are created for beauty and personal care products a year. 18 million acres of Forest are lost annually for personal care product packaging. Secondary outer packaging boxes contribute to more than half of the total resources used. The EPA states that about 2 billion disposable razors are produced each year. About 6 tubes of mascara are sold every minute in the United States: almost 600,000 a year. By cutting deodorant plastic packaging by 10%, 120 million pounds of waste can be eliminated from landfills each year. In the U.S. 550 million shampoo bottles are thrown away annually.

By making small changes in our lives, we can lessen the impact we have on the environment and plastic production.

  • To minimize your contribution to the number of razors that can go in landfills, you can use re-usable razors safely.
  • Try reusable or plastic free options – there are many brands out there!
  • If you do not use a plastic tube, clean and donate the wand to local animal shelters.
  • Many deodorant companies have pledged to go less than 10% non-recycled plastic by 2025, so look out for plastic-free options.
  • A new alternative for plastic bottles are shampoo and conditioner bars. they can last the equivalent of 5 plastic bottles!

We’ll be adding more tips from our staff members as we try out different Plastic Free July ideas and come up with our own eco-friendly alternatives.

Filed Under: Plastic Free July, Staff

Plastic Free July Resources

June 30, 2021 By Watershed Protection Team

Watch

  • A Plastic Ocean | You may remember this documentary from our film presentation – it’s now available on Netflix!
  • Plastic Ocean Documentaries | A series of short films highlighting plastic pollution around the world

Read

  • How to Make a T-shirt Bag: 8 Ways to Make a Bag from a Shirt | By Tracy Ariza
  • Plastic Free Cheat Sheet | Get some encouragement with this helpful sheet!
  • Small Steps Guide: How to Reduce Plastic Consumption in your Everyday Life | Learn key concepts and get started on your plastic free journey.
  • 11 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Waste Today | Easy ways to change your lifestyle
  • Zero Waste on a Budget | There is an entire generation of people who existed before Plastic became commonplace. Not ready to make the plunge into purchasing a $35 bamboo toilet brush? Start here.

Shop

  • Community Eco Store | Phoenixville’s eco store features an all-volunteer boutique for Eco-friendly lifestyles, on and off grid
  • Good Buy Supply | Philadelphia’s first retail shop dedicated to low-waste and plastic-free alternatives for everyday life.
  • Microfiber Catching Laundry Ball | Microfibers are the most common microplastic in our headwaters
  • Microfiber Catching Laundry Bag | Prevent microfibers from getting into our waters
  • Package Free Shop | An educational shopping guide each item has a ton of information on the cradle to grave of the product
  • Plastic Offsets | Subscribe for easy way to offset the plastic footprint of your entire routine.
  • Plastic Pollution Coalition | A shopping guide for reducing plastic in your consumption 

Follow

  • Anne-Marie Bonneau | @zerowastechef | Blogger, fermenter, sourdougher
  • Bea Johnson | @zerowastehome | Author of “Zero Waste Home”
  • Kathryn Kellogg | @going.zero.waste | Get great recommendations on DIY replacements for plastic
  • Lauren Singer | @Trashisfortossers | This CEO of plastic free shop demonstrates her zero waste lifestyle

Filed Under: Plastic Free July, Watershed

WCT Goes Plastic Free!

June 30, 2021 By Monica McQuail

This month of July, the entire staff of Willistown Conservation Trust is taking the challenge to go plastic free for all 31 days! In committing ourselves to a plastic-free lifestyle, we are joining “a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities,” according to the Plastic Free July® website and Plastic Free Foundation, the group that’s been putting forth this challenge for the past 11 years.

During the pandemic, we witnessed a drastic increase in single-use plastic; our coveted hand sanitizer came in plastic bottles of all sizes, containers of disposable wipes were common-place in every home and office, disposable masks became the norm, rubber gloves were used more than ever before, and some of our food at the grocery store suddenly sprouted protective plastic coverings. For a time, even our reusable grocery bags weren’t allowed at some stores, making plastic alternatives the only option. And for many of us, our favorite farmers markets – where we could easily go plastic free – suddenly closed down. We also enjoyed more takeout meals, and then of course, those meals came in more plastic containers.

Fortunately, many of these plastic habits are dissipating as we return to a state that resembles something closer to “normal.” However, plastic still comes with almost everything we buy, and on a larger scale, the economic crisis of this past year has resulted in businesses choosing cheap plastics over more expensive and environmentally-friendly alternatives, while recycling systems have begun breaking down due to budget constraints. Additionally, microplastics continue to overwhelm our waterways, affecting watersheds, land, birds and humans around the world and right here in Willistown.

Feeling overwhelmed yet? You are not alone! You can be part of the solution, and now is the perfect time to start. Plastic Free July offers plenty of resources to help you reduce single-use plastics, from starting small by bringing your reusable grocery bags and favorite water bottle everywhere you go, to engaging businesses and your community to commit to doing better together. Along the way, Trust staff will share their own plastic-free journey, in addition to teaching you about the harms of plastics in our immediate environment.

Be sure to tune in to our Instagram and Facebook pages throughout the month to learn more, and don’t forget to visit our Plastic Free July webpage as we update it with our own stories, tips and tricks. We’ll be sharing all month long, and we hope you’ll share too, as you commit to this challenge with us!

Filed Under: Plastic Free July, Staff

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OUR NATURE PRESERVES

Our nature preserves are open to the public 365 days per year from sunrise to sunset, providing natural places that offer peace and respite for all. Willistown Conservation Trust owns and manages three nature preserves in the Willistown area - Ashbridge, Kirkwood and Rushton Woods Preserve. We maintain these lands for the … Learn more about our nature preserves.

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