Mario Bautista
NOW YOU SEE IT: Dressed as a magician, club member Helen Comba demonstrates how long it takes everyday items to disappear. (Supplied Photo)
Does plastic disappear like magic? The Garden Club of LBI’s Environmental Committee is gearing up for an elementary school program developed by club member and former teacher Helen Comba that focuses on how long it takes the things we use every day to break down and disappear.
Comba said that in the past, the committee focused on educating children on recycling.
“But now we want to take it a step further, and talk about biodegradable items,” she said. “Some plastic can take up to 500 years to decompose.”
For example, single-use plastic grocery bags take about two decades to break down. In contrast, plastic water bottles made with polyethylene terephthalate are estimated to take approximately 450 years to break down fully.
“We look forward to working with the schools because the kids get really interested,” said Comba. “They’ve been very receptive, and it’s good to reach out to them when they’re young.”
Gillian Rozicer, club publicity director, said the program would go along with the committee’s commitment to addressing the problems of plastic pollution, reducing one-time plastic use, avoiding straws and seeking alternatives to balloons.
“The committee also focuses on protection of birds and butterflies and other wildlife on LBI, environment friendly gardening and beach cleanups,” she said. “We’ll also be doing our monthly presentations for children at the Long Beach Island library.”
This summer the committee continued environmental education and hands-on activities at the garden club’s Garden Tour and Outdoor Living event, Barnegat Bay Day in Loveladies, and Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs in Harvey Cedars. The committee will participate in Shellabration in Brant Beach on Saturday, Oct. 12, with children’s activities and recycling and reusing information for everyone.
For more information about the club, visit thegardencluboflbi.com. —E.E.
