Disposable plastic items are convenient, and they are far less expensive than reusable counterparts. However, the low cost for consumers comes at a very high cost to the #environment. Tampa has been trying to make changes to the way we treat plastic, and it hasn't gone without notice: Eckerd College received a $499,638 grant from the EPA in February of 2022 to help change plastic consumption in Pinellas County.
This is why it makes very little sense why Tampa City Council's 2020 vote to eliminate styrofoam and single-use plastics was met with so much criticism. A healthy environment is crucial for the wellbeing and sustainment of our country and the civilization as a whole. We need to do as much as we can to ensure its protection. Of course banning these materials would be a step in the right direction, but this is not enough to fix the problem.
The decision, while progressive, is only half-hearted. Limiting the use of styrofoam containers and cups only for big events and city properties is no resolution at all. Plastic, in all of its various forms, is harmful to the environment. Regardless of the size or location of an event, it is irresponsible to allow people to create more waste by using disposable plastic items. Either a genuine commitment needs to be made to save the environment, or people should readily admit that they do not care about the repercussions of harming it.
A lot of businesses use plastic bags for groceries, saying that they are inexpensive and easy to store. This is not a valid reason because paper bags are just as useful, perhaps even more so because they can be used for compost. Plastic bags are incredibly dangerous to the environment. They are usually made from polyethylene, and can take centuries to break down. They are also not accepted in curbside recycling bins because they cannot be easily separated and have the potential to damage recycling equipment.
Jane Castor, the Mayor of Tampa City, says that “by moving away from styrofoam, we can create a more sustainable and resilient city… this is one small, yet important, step that we can take today to make a big impact on our future for generations to come.” Her sentiment is right, but unfortunately our city's dedication does not go far enough in terms of protecting the climate. Our attempts will only fall short if we make halfhearted gestures such as deciding to ban styrofoam and plastic cups, but only at large events and on city properties.
We need to make actual changes if we want to have a positive impact on the environment. We don't need any more "sort of" bans that stop short of doing anything impactful.
