“The plastics industry’s contribution to climate change will exceed that of coal by 2030.” Buried in a March 31 op-ed in the Seattle Times, the sentence jumped out at me. It went on, “The production and incineration of plastic added 850 million metric tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, equivalent to driving 185 million cars for a year.”
There’s also the horrifying impact of plastic pollution on our landscape and oceans, along with the impact of microplastics and invisible nano plastics on the lettuce we eat and in our lungs.
The average American annually throws away 287 pounds of plastic, including 110 pounds of single-use plastic. The average Chinese person uses only about a third as much single-use plastic. Since it’s cheaper to manufacture plastic from scratch than to use recycled plastic, only 8.7 percent of the plastic used in the US is recycled. And despite advertising efforts, only 29 percent of easy-to-recycle PET plastic soda and water bottles are recycled.
Plastic production is expected to double by 2050. A 2021 Minderoo report indicates half of the world’s single-use plastic is made by 20 companies lead by the American firms Exxon Mobil and Dow.
What can we do to stop that from happening? Well, we can take responsibility for reducing our own use of plastic. We can also celebrate the progress we’ve made in persuading our state legislators to limit the use of single-use plastic bags, plastic utensils, and Styrofoam (think carry-out containers) and to increase the recycled content of plastic bottles, etc. But truth-be-told, we’ve barely made a dent in derailing the petrochemical industry’s plans to rapidly expand plastic production.
Now it’s time to make producers financially responsible for collecting and re-using the plastic they produce. Expanded Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs are the norm in much of the world and EPRs were created by the Maine and Oregon legislatures in 2021. But Washington’s packaging and petrochemical industries decimated SB 5697 (RENEW Recycling Act) which was introduced in the Washington legislature this year.
We have a primary election coming up on August 2, and a November 9 general election. Each of us should ask the candidates in our state legislative district whether they will support making the producers responsible for collecting and re-using the plastic they produce.
We should actively promote passage of the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act in the US Congress. Full-page ads “paid for by America’s Plastic Makers” in the New York Times say “it’s a higher tax on your groceries” and “stop the plastic tax; keep everyday goods affordable.” In fact, it would phase out single-use plastic products, pause new and expanded plastic production facilities, and make producers responsible for their waste.
All of Washington’s Democratic representatives are among the 127 co-sponsors of HR 2238 in the House, and Senator Patty Murray co-sponsored S. 984 in the Senate. We should thank them. Everyone should also contact Senator Maria Cantwell (202-224-3441) and ask her to belatedly co-sponsor the bill.
Also watch this 6-minute Crosscut video https://crosscut.com/video/human-elements/plastic-everything and think seriously about other actions you can take.
The Earth is Sacred – Not Ours to Wreck
206-524-2322
office@universityucc.org
No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here at University Congregational United Church of Christ. Young, old, sure of your path, or still searching --- we invite you to join us in imagining love and justice - as Jesus did - in acting to change the world.
Right now, during the pandemic, we are still united as church. You are welcome to attend our in-person service at 10 am each Sunday. A digital service is also offered on line on Sunday evening at 5 pm. Our service is streamed on YouTube and Facebook. You will find the links just below this section on our home page. Weekly services are are available on line after they are initially presented on Sundays..
We strive to walk in the path of Jesus, and to offer an authentic welcome to everyone who walks through our door or joins us online. If you are new to us, we would love to get to know you and answer your questions about our church, even though we cannot greet you in person. A member of our Welcome Committee, or a pastor, would be happy to correspond on email or talk with you on the phone. Click here to arrange for a meeting.
Our in-person worship service starts at 10 am and includes hymns, prayers, scripture reading and a sermon. It usually lasts about an hour. During the 10 am service we also offer live-streaming to a nearby room that offers those with compromised immune systems to be more isolated. We also offer a separate space for children, with supervised play and crafts during the 10 am service. Sections of the 10 am service are programed into the 5 pm digital service, which is offered as a "vespers."
Children are an important part of our community, and are welcome for all or part or the service.
View for detailed Google Map.
Parking can be a challenge in the University District! Persistence, patience and an early start are keys to success.
UW has free parking on Sundays. Enter the main campus gate at NE 45th and 17th Ave NE and turn left past the toll booth. It's about a three-block walk to the church. The UW Meany Garage at 15th Ave. NE and NE 41st St. is a five-block walk.
The church also owns three parking lots - Lot A is across the street from the church on 16th Ave. E. Lot B is beneath Sortun Court, just north of the church on the east side of 16th Ave. E. (It closes at 2 p.m.) Lot C (for those with difficulty walking, young children and visitors) is at the corner of 15th NE and NE 45th St., next to the church.
If you need to be assured of a close parking spot, you can call the church office before noon on Friday to reserve one: 206-524-2322.
During this pandemic, we have discontinued our in-person lunches. We would love to meet with you via email or phone, however. Click here to arrange a meeting with a Welcome Committee Volunteer or pastor.
We can explore and explain a range of topics about our church, from history, to theology, to membership. Please contact us at the link above for more information.
We are an inter-generational church and strive to be family-friendly, with an active ministry for children and youth. All ages are welcome in worship. We also offer nursery and child-care, Younger children begin the 10 am service with us and usually leave after about 15 minutes. Older children have the option of leaving for a special sermon time. Junior high and high school youth meet at 9 am and then often sit together in worship. Give us a call at 206-524-2322 for more specifics.
Our programs for children and youth continue during this pandemic. Sign up at the bottom of the home page to receive our Children's Ministries and/or Youth Ministries newsletter.
Hearing Impaired: Our sanctuary has an induction loop system that uses the T-Coil mode of your hearing aids. You can get the necessary equipment just before entering the Sanctuary on the right or ask any usher.
Visually Impaired: We offer each Sunday's program in large print for easier readability.
Wheelchair Access: The front entry is wheelchair accessible as are the rest rooms. Please don't hesitate to ask for assistance.
