(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Who knew this is Plastic Free July?
Officials at the Shedd Aquarium know. They hope you do, too.
Jacklyn Wegner, the Shedd’s head of conservation action, said Plastic Free July is a national campaign to get people to think about those plastic straws and foam takeout containers we use.
The effort also aims to influence restaurants and retailers to use more compostable or re-usable products.
Yes, Wegner said, the initiative means more recycling and working with restaurants and other businesses. The best thing would be to reduce demand, she said.
Wegner said the Shedd is also asking people to demand Congress pass a law prohibiting plastics manufacturers from discharging their raw material pellets into waterways.
All that plastic in the water, Shedd officials say, is harming aquatic wildlife, and that’s bad for everyone.
The pandemic helped many people realize how often they use something once and throw it away at home, Wegner said.
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