SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s resolution to declare April 1 as “Skip the Plastic Day” in Illinois passed committee Thursday.
“With our landfills and waterways being filled with plastic waste, Illinois has an opportunity to stand up and be part of the solution rather than the problem,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island) “Skip the Plastic Day will bring more awareness to this issue that is impacting the whole planet.”
“Skip the Plastic Day” would urge all residents, businesses and visitors to reduce plastic waste and protect our environment. The resolution would also commend businesses for willingly participating in offering single-use plastics only at customer request. The single use plastics included under the day are straws and cutlery, though businesses are encouraged to draw down all plastic use.
“Skip the Plastic Day” is the vision of Nicolina Pappas, an 8th grader from Rock Island. Nicolina has already gotten several Illinois mayoral proclamations in support of “Skip the Plastic Day.” She brought her “Skip the Plastic Day” idea to Halpin’s office and testified at the Environment and Conservation Committee.
“The environment is one of the most pressing issues for young people,” said Nicolina “If we push to cut single use plastics it will lower expenses for businesses and protect the environment. Young people are concerned about the legacy they are inheriting and we must take action.”
Nicolina also has a website you can check out to see restaurants that have pledged to Skip the Plastic.
Plastic waste has become a massive issue in Illinois. Each year millions of pounds of plastic enter Lake Michigan. The Mississippi River is also threatened and is responsible for over 40% of drainage in the U.S. Any plastic that makes its way in to the river ends up in the Gulf of Mexico to be spread around the globe. The Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative launched the Mississippi River Plastic Pollution Initiative’s Second Phase in the Quad Cities in 2021 to spread awareness around plastic waste and combat plastic pollution.
“Here in Springfield we often get caught up in policy and legal discussions but cultural change on the ground is really important,” said Halpin. “We need to meet people where they are on the local level. On behalf of her generation, Nicolina is asking us to affirm our commitment to a cleaner Illinois and I cannot thank her enough for her efforts.”
Senate Resolution 22 passed Environment and Conservation committee and waits to be adopted by the full Senate.