Chatham Student Sets Up Plastic Bag Collection Boxes

CHATHAM, NJ - Chatham High School junior Naila Ismail has established plastic bag collection boxes both at Chatham High School and at the Library of the Chathams.

Ismail said that the purpose of the plastic bag recycling initiative is to address plastic usage within the Chatham community.

“Plastic poses many dangers to the environment, yet is commonly used. Every year, 380 billion plastic bags are used by Americans. Only 1 percent of plastic bags are returned for recycling, which means that the vast majority end up in landfills and in bodies of water where they take hundreds of years to photodegrade," Ismail said. "Plastic bags break down into toxic particles that contaminate the soil and waterways; these particles enter the food chain when animals ingest them. Additionally, the improper recycling of plastic bags leads to clogging of the recycling machinery. By limiting plastic usage and participating in proper recycling methods, the community can minimize its environmental footprint.”

According to officials, the Chatham Borough Environmental Commission has engaged in a public awareness campaign to discourage residents from throwing plastic bags into their recycling bins due to the problems the bags cause with the machinery at the recycling center.

Ismail’s project will help reuse those plastic bags in ways that benefit communities through the Bags to Benches program.

The Bags to Benches recycling program allows for the proper recycling of plastic bags and films. In exchange for 500 pounds of plastic film, a bench composed of the recycled materials is provided. The bags deposited in the collection bins placed at Chatham High School and the Library of the Chathams will go to this program.

“Through my project, I hope to increase awareness for this widespread issue." Ismail said. "Proper recycling of plastic and reducing the amount of plastic we use are both necessary steps to address the issue of plastic usage.”

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