The Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce [BEST] and the Bermuda College will be hosting an Eco Lunch & Learn series presentation on Thursday [Oct 27] from 1.00pm to 2.00pm, set to feature Katie Berry of Beyond Plastic Bermuda.

A spokesperson said, “Katie is a member of KBB and an environmentalist who leads the Beyond Plastic Team. Her presentation will guide attendees through the many issues surrounding single-use plastic, its impact on both our health and the environment and ways you can easily start your journey to reduce their use in your personal lives. BEST and Beyond Plastic’s Erich Hetzel will join Katie after the presentation for the Q&A.”

Amy Harvey, the Earth and Environmental Science lecturer at the Bermuda College, described the issue, saying, “The abundance of single use plastics in our environment have been driven by decades of convenience based consumerism. I don’t think that the designers of this material could have foresaw the pervasive damage that it would cause to our natural environment as well as the health of all that rely on a clean, functioning environment.

“Single use plastic never fully breaks down but instead becomes microscopic pieces of micro plastics. These tiny pieces of plastics are making their way to the bottom sediments of the seafloor as well as bioaccumulating in the bodies of organisms. A recent study shows that it is found in human breast milk. There is also evidence that micro plastics are getting into the lungs and crossing the blood-brain barrier. This issue cannot be ignored. Slowing down the tap of plastic use and finding sustainable alternatives is the way forward.”

Jennifer Flood, BEST Executive Director, added, “Go back a few years – I had no idea where plastic came from, I simply took it for granted as a very convenient medium for all sorts of things. Who knew back then, all the ramifications associated with this ‘taken for granted’ material?

Read more here: https://bernews.com/2022/10/eco-lunch-learn-presentation-october-27/