Reduce plastic flow from Miss. River

Thirty-three mayors and city leaders from the length of the Mississippi River are calling for a 20 percent reduction of plastic waste flowing into the river and out to the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Three mayors and 30 other city leaders announced a commitment Sept. 20 at the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative in Davenport, Iowa. The plan is to cut plastic waste by 20 percent over the next two years. The planned reductions will come from agreements with industries operating on the river, and city and state government-led efforts, such as limits on single-use plastic bags and increased capacity at recycling facilities, said Colin Wellenkamp, the initiative's executive director. St. Gabriel, Vidalia, and Baton Rouge, La., mayors were among those signing the agreement. Plastic waste breaks down into "microplastics" that end up in drinking water and marine animals, including fish and oysters. A 2017 Louisiana State University study found that the GoM is one of the most plastic-polluted bodies of water on the planet. Much of the waste is believed to flow from the Mississippi River. (Source: NOLA.com 09/22/18)