Plastic Waste Reduction

Plastic waste is a current and ongoing threat to the environment and human health around the globe. Plastic-based pollution, which does not decompose, makes up a large portion of garbage generated locally and globally. In the US and in Porter County, the recycling rate for recyclable plastics is less than 10%. Projections indicate significant growth in plastic production over the next decades, while research is exposing the threat of plastic pollution to all ecosystems and the health dangers associated with the micro- and nanoplastics created from everyday plastics.

The Plastic Waste Reduction Initiative or the PWRI is a partnership between Valparaiso University and Porter County Recycling and Waste Reduction District. The program was implemented to help the community understand how much single-use plastic they are using on a day-to-day basis. This program is designed to help the community take accountability for the amount of plastic waste being generated in order to effectively reduce single-use and non-recyclable plastics, most of which occupies space in landfills. The Porter County Plastic Waste Reduction Initiative focuses on education, data, research, and behavior changes. Be a part of the solution, not the problem!

If you’re a resident of Porter County, click here to take our residential survey.

If you’re a business, restaurant, school, or other commercial property click here to fill out our information form and we’ll follow up shortly.