Remember the movie The Graduate? It was released in 1967 and has become more relevant over time. One scene kept flashing through my mind as I read an Associated Press newspaper article* about the future of plastic.

It’s a graduation pool party for Ben (Dustin Hoffman).

 Mr. Maguire (Elaine’s father) says to Ben, “I just want to say one word to you. . . Plastics.” Ben is in love with Elaine but having an affair with Mrs. Maguire. Little would we know the astounding plastic would have on not only Ben’s future but the world’s.

Fast forward to Paris 2023, and the recent committee meeting for the United Nations Environment Program*. The goal is to have a global plastic pollution treaty by 2024.

 “More than 430 million tons of plastic, two-thirds of which are “short-lived” products that become waste, filling the oceans, and often working their way into the human food chain”.

So, what can we do about this?

I repurpose plastic. Instead of recycling I find a use for them. You know the plastic strawberries and blueberries come in? They are now filled with;an old GPS and cord, extra chair stoppers, shower head with parts, and fixtures for a curtain rod that is stored under my bed. I receive so many of the aqua lid containers, I drop them off at Good Will. Kids could bowl with, paint the outside, or parents might store nail and screws to tidy up the garage.

In Florida you need a canister for everything. The containers for Parmesan cheese, are now filled with corn starch, corn meal, brown sugar, etc. A pretty box that came with who knows what, made a jewelry box with a pull out draw, great for travel. The cool whip container is as usable as any store bought reusable container for the refrigerator. The pink pump container is just too pretty to dump, and the pump pumps better than any one I’ve bought.

I’m sure many of you have tips and hints about the plastic chaos we’ve been talking about since 1967, and The Graduate. Please share them.

                                                                               . . . just saying

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 * Associated Press, Tuesday, 5/30/23: Plastic pollution treaty talks resume by Thomas Adamson & Jennifer McDumott