Each year, members of the Plant City Commons Community Garden come together to honor Earth Day and discuss some of the pressing issues facing our environment.
While enjoying a potluck on April 26 comprised of dishes made from produce grown at the community
garden, a small gathering of members ate in the waning sun and spring breeze while discussing realistic ways to tackle plastic pollution.
In many parts of Europe, plastic bags at grocery stores or even shopping malls are an additional fee. Because of this, shoppers bring reusable totes from home to carry their items back with them. In Kenya, plastic bags are banned and anyone found selling, manufacturing or even carrying them could face fines up to $38,000 or a prison sentence of up to four years.
“We don’t need to throw people in prison, but we obviously need to change something,” Betty Jo Tompkins, executive director for Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District, said. “So much of it is just education. Every time I go to Publix I talk to the young kids that work there about using a tote. Now when I go they proudly show me their reusable bags and will call each other out if they use plastic.”
Karen Bornstine, president of the community garden, said she plans to approach the City Commission soon about finding a way to reduce the negative plastic impact our community has on the environment.
“By the year 2050 the amount of plastic in the ocean will outweigh the fish,” Bornstine said. “Recycling companies don’t really want the plastic. It takes years for plastic to decompose. Paper isn’t perfect either.”
According to the Earth Policy Institute, the plastic bags used in everyday life take up to 1,000 years to decompose in a landfill. Plastic water bottles can take more than 450 years. Unfortunately, if not sorted or cared for correctly, the plastic that is put in a recycling bin may end up in a landfill anyway if it does not meet the strict qualifications held by recycling companies.
She said the hope is city commissioners will consider coming up with ways to tackle the immense amount of plastic Plant City alone disposes of. That may come in the form of partnering with local businesses like boutiques and antique stores or chains like Lowe’s or Winn-Dixie to limit the number of plastic bags used by the stores.
Simply being aware of the realities facing the environment goes a long way toward increasing empathy, which allows societies to enact strict pollution laws. The community garden constantly attempts to reconnect residents with the earth and has multiple projects throughout the year to make the community better.
Any member of the community who wishes to grow their own vegetation, whether it be produce, flowers or any other plant, has the opportunity to do so regardless of if they have the resources at home. The community garden rents out plots of land for just that purpose and members care for both the free garden and the botanical plants as well.
“There’s nothing more satisfying than growing your own food,” Laurie McRae, secretary-treasurer of the community gardens, said. “Even if you go out and just have one single tomato plant and you just pick that one thing you will really treasure them. You know the seeds, how it was grown and cared for and you truly enjoy what you’re eating.”
Much of what is grown at the community garden is donated to either local churches, organizations or the food bank. Bornstine said there are several projects underway to improve the garden and allow it to offer even more resources for the community.
Currently, McRae said the new seed library at the garden is open the second and fourth Saturday of every month and the community volunteer day is the second Saturday as well. While some companies will take one day a year to “be mindful” toward the environment that is what the garden is all about.
“We’re always wanting to get the community more involved with the garden,” Bornstine said. “It’s such a great cause. We’d love to do more and give back more but we’re shorthanded and we can only grow so much. The more we have the more we can grow and the more we can give.”