PORT TOWNSEND — Beth Terry didn’t just give up plastic bags.
She has attempted to give up all plastic.
Since 2007, Terry, who lives in Oakland, Calif., has aimed to bring absolutely no new plastic into her life.
Terry will speak on her experiences at a free lecture at the Cotton Building, 607 Water St., at 4 p.m. Sunday.
When Terry saw a photograph of a baby albatross that had died from being fed plastic bits by its mother, she decided if something were to be done about the effects of plastic on the global environment, she had to start with herself.
2 pounds per year
Since her “plastic awakening,” Terry has gone from generating almost 4 pounds of plastic waste per month to a little more than 2 pounds per year.
The average American, she said, generates between 88 and 120 pounds per year.
To keep herself on track, Terry started a blog at www.myplasticfreelife.com, which grew into the book Plastic Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too.
“I didn’t write this book to tell anyone what to do but as an invitation to join me in this journey of personal and ecological discovery,” Terry said.
In her book’s introduction, Terry writes: “Sure, in all honesty I do want to inspire you and your friends and family to use less plastic.
“But more than that, to learn what it is about plastic that makes it the symbol of what Captain Charles Moore [discoverer of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch] calls the ‘crisis of our civilization,’ and figure out ways to get out from under the thumb of plastic addiction.”
Terry’s book will be for sale and signing at her presentation.
Her appearance is sponsored by the city of Port Townsend, Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, Port Townsend Main Street Program, Old Consulate Inn, Port Townsend Food Co-op, Port Townsend Public Library and Jude Rubin, aka the “Plastic Bag Monster.”
For more information, visit www.foodcoop.coop or phone 360-385-2831, ext. 309.
