Clinton Township Newsletter

1 9 j u l y 2 0 2 0 S i N g L e u S e p L a S t i c S F a q S F r o m t h e c t e c n In 2016, world plastics production totaled around 335 million metric tons. Roughly half of annual plastic production is destined for a single-use product. n Humans buy about 1,000,000 plastic bottles per minute in total. Only about 23% of plastic bottles are recycled within the U.S. n Americans purchase about 50 billion water bottles per year, averaging about 13 bottles per month for every person in the U.S.! That means by using a reusable water bottle, you could save an average of 156 plastic bottles annually. n It is estimated that four-trillion plastic bags are used worldwide annually. Only 1% of plastic bags are returned for recycling. Americans throw away 100 billion plastic bags annually. That's about 307 bags per person! All that waste can be eliminated by switching to reusable shopping bags. n Half a million straws are used in the world every day. Refusing straws is a trending practice! n 500 billion disposable cups are consumed every year. Americans alone throw away 25 billion Styrofoam coffee cups every year. Styrofoam cannot be completely recycled. Most of the Styrofoam disposed of today will still be present in landfills 500 years from now. n The main cause for the increase in plastic production is plastic packaging. Plastic packaging was 42% of all non-fiber plastic produced in 2015, and it also made up 52% of plastics thrown away. n Single-use-plastics frequently do not make it to a landfill or are recycled. A full 32% of the 78 million tons of plastic packaging produced annually is left to flow into our oceans; the equivalent of pouring one garbage truck of plastic into the ocean every minute. This is expected to increase to two per minute by 2030 and four per minute by 2050. By 2050, this could mean there will be more plastic than fish in the world's oceans. Choosing to buy products with less packaging or no packaging altogether makes a big difference. n Even when single use plastics are sent to landfills (there are 3.091 active landfills in the US alone), they aren't harmless. Landfill liners can leak harmful pollutants into the watershed and plastics on the tops of landfills can be carried away by the wind. The best way to curb single-use plastic pollution is to reduce your personal plastic consumption. Mission: The Clinton Township Environmental Commission seeks to protect and improve the quality of our land, water, air, flora and fauna by advising Clinton Township on actions and policies of sustainability and environmental protection. Find out more at: www.ClintonTwpNJj.com/index.aspx?page=102 m a k e a B i g i m p a c t o N y o u r S m a L L p a t i o W i t h t h e S e d e S i g N t i p S F r o m c a t h y W o o d Even the smallest of patios can become an inviting and relaxing retreat with the right furniture and accessories. Take some tips from the pros to transform your small patio into a private oasis. n Hang Curtains: Hanging curtains is an inexpensive and easy way to create a temporary wall. Gauzy and flowing fabrics soften the look of your patio and add privacy – perfect for renters or those who live near neighbors that are too close for comfort. n Make a Statement with Lighting: Good lighting goes a long way in creating ambiance after the sun goes down but always make sure to use outdoor cords and light bulbs. n Provide Extra Seating with Floor Pillows: Floor pillows add not only pops of color but also extra seating without taking up too much room. Tuck them away when not in use or use as decorative accents. n Include a Lounge Space: The right seating can turn an unused patio into the perfect place to start and end your day. n Choose Furniture that Multitasks: Furniture that can pull double duty is the perfect choice for a small space. Consider an ottoman that can pull double duty as a table or a pouf that can be used for an additional seat, table, or place to put your feet up. n Bring in Greenery: Greenery brings vibrancy and pizzazz to any room. Bring color and texture to a small patio with potted and hanging plants. n Turn on the Tunes: Atmosphere is everything. A small outdoor Bluetooth speaker will help set the mood with sounds and takes up minimal space. n Add Pops of Color: Neutral tones can be relaxing but color keeps it interesting. Add pops of blue and green to complement your natural surroundings without overpowering. Cathy Wood, a consistent top producer, has the experience and knowledge to help all clients whether buying or selling. NJAR Circle of Excellence Award 2014 - 2019 | International President's Circle of Excellence in 2014 and 2019, representing the top 6% of agents worldwide | Diamond Society representing top 11 % internationally in 2015- 2018. www.Cathy.Wood.cbintouch.com

• Cover