ANDREA LACROIX
Waste Reduction Committee
Ipswich Rotary Club
This week, we were honored to host Andrea Lacroix from the Ipswich Rotary Club and Waste Reduction Committee at the Hawthorne Hotel. With over a decade of experience on her town's Waste Reduction Committee and a deep commitment to sustainability, Lacroix delivered an eye-opening presentation on the global plastic crisis.
The Scale of the Problem
The statistics are staggering: annually, 8-15 million tons of plastics enter our oceans—equivalent to the weight of 100 million elephants. Currently, for every three pounds of fish in our oceans, there is one pound of plastic, with projections showing we're heading toward a 1:1 ratio. Most concerning is that the vast majority consists of unnecessary single-use plastic packaging.
Health and Environmental Impacts
Plastic pollution occurs at every stage of its lifecycle:
- Extraction and transport of raw materials
- Refining and production processes
- Distribution and consumption
- Waste management
As a significant greenhouse gas emitter, plastic production primarily relies on ethane from fracking operations. Communities near fracking facilities face increased health risks, including higher cancer rates. The manufacturing process combines ethane with various hazardous chemicals, including:
- Bisphenol A (BPA)
- PFAS ("forever" chemicals)
- Phthalates
These compounds are known to cause various health issues, from liver damage to cancer. Perhaps most alarming is the discovery that babies are now being born with trace amounts of plastic in their systems, as these endocrine disruptors can impact hormonal function even in minimal doses.
Breaking the Cycle
Lacroix, who completed a 14-hour course from Beyond Plastics, emphasizes that recycling alone isn't the solution—reducing and reusing are crucial. She recommends:
- Choosing clothing made from 100% natural materials
- Avoiding microwave popcorn (expert tip)
- Being mindful that not all plastic is recyclable
Taking Action
To promote positive change, Lacroix distributed a "Plastic Pledge" for Rotarians to review and sign. For those interested in learning more, additional information is available on the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group website.
About the Speaker
Andrea Lacroix has dedicated her career to environmental sustainability in Ipswich, MA. After completing Judith Enck's master class on plastic pollution in October 2022, she joined the Speakers' Bureau to educate communities about plastic pollution and its health implications. Her commitment to waste reduction and community education continues to inspire positive environmental change.
Also This Week...
Members of the Rotary Club of Salem recently volunteered their time at the Salem Pantry, helping out in the organization's warehouse. The Rotarians assisted with a variety of tasks aimed at supporting the Pantry's food distribution efforts.
During their time at the Salem Pantry, the Rotarians participated in several key activities. They helped prepare bags for home delivery, ensuring those in need would receive the necessary food items. The volunteers also worked on putting together pallets of food for The Market, the Pantry's on-site shopping experience for clients.
In addition to the hands-on work, the Rotarians were able to take a tour of the Pantry's facilities and get their questions answered about the organization's operations and community partnerships. This provided valuable insight into how the Salem Pantry is fighting food insecurity in the local area.
The Salem Pantry plays a critical role in supporting nearly 40,000 individuals across Salem and the surrounding region - a number that continues to grow as more families struggle to put food on the table. By leveraging the time and energy of volunteers like the Rotary Club of Salem, the Pantry is able to expand its reach and serve even more members of the community in need.
The Rotarians' involvement is a testament to the power of collaboration and community-minded organizations working together towards a common goal. Through this partnership, the Pantry was able to further its mission, while the Rotarians gained a deeper understanding of the important work being done to address food insecurity in Salem.
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