Overview
The Pacific Gyre (i.e. Great Pacific Garbage Patch) is almost as large as Texas. Approximately 3.5 million tons of plastic pollution enter the GPGP, of which 80 percent come from land. Within a six-month period, Clean Water Action (CWA) gathered street litter samples from a small number of locations in four California cities to learn about the origins of pollution ending up in the Bay Area.
Sources of Fast Food Garbage
CWA discovered that fast food accounts for 49 percent of litter. Burger King, McDonald’s, Seven Eleven, Starbuck’s, and Wendy’s were the major sources of fast food garbage. CWA’s research indicated that eco-friendly alternatives could reduce a maximum of 31 percent of the fast food garbage gathered. Ineffectiveness of Plastic Pollution Control Spending
Plastic litter is growing in bodies of water. Regulators in California have been dealing with this issue but the outcome is that a lot of money is being spent in trash control by the local government. This solution is only effective in the short-run because it does not uncover the main cause of plastic pollution.
Napkin Dispenser Use for Decreasing Trash
Gordon suggested Fast Company to adopt the use of napkin dispensers for trash reduction as loose napkin piles make it easier to overuse napkins. By using napkin dispensers, restaurant owners won’t need to spend money on napkins and there will be less napkins in the thrash.
Address Customer Requests
Fast Company’s article states that restaurant employees ask their customers if they should put napkins, plastic cutlery, and straws in their take out bags. CWA found lots of wrapped straws on the street, which may require the need of a professional cleaning company.
Starbucks as a role model
The article cites Starbucks as a company that is striving to create less garbage pollution. Starbucks’s 2010 Global Responsibility Report declares that it will make all of its paper and plastic cups environmentally-friendly by 2015. As every Starbucks store worldwide meets this goal, litter will be eliminated.
Starbucks Cup Summits
Starbucks held cup summits in Seattle (May 2009) and Boston (April 2010). Below is a list of the participant categories.
- Academic experts
- Competitors
- Conservation organizations
- Cup producers
- Government officials
- Raw material distributors
- Recyclers
- Retail and beverage companies
Starbuck’s Pilot Program
As of early last year, the company initiated a feasibility study in seven of its Manhattan locations to prescreen its cup recyclability with old corrugated board. Starbucks opened the pilot program at 79 other locations in New York. The company intends to start recycling programs in its stores.