Conservation Corner: The persistence of plastics

Thanks to the fragrant blooms of jasmine and the warm – but not too humid – weather, May is one of the best months to spend outside in Charleston. Walking along the live oaks or next to spartina marshes, I continue traditions instilled in me by my father during my childhood: always picking up littered trash and leaving no trace. Litter is not only an eye-sore, but also pollutes the environment and harms wildlife.

The Coastal Conservation League and our partners are working hard to ensure that our coast stays plastic free for future generations, but you too, can do your part. This Spring, as you start to spend more time outside, take care to bring all your trash home with you and leave nothing but your footprints. Maybe you even go an extra step and pick up some improperly-disposed-of trash! Read on to learn about our plastics-related work in this month’s Conservation Corner. If you’d like to hear more, please reach out!

Happy trails on your next May adventure,

Brooke

The evolution of the plastics problem in the Lowcountry

You may recall a time prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, when single-use plastics were at the forefront of the news cycle during a nationwide debate centered around plastic bags and straws. By 2021, 19 municipalities across South Carolina had adopted some form of a single-use plastics ban, primarily focused on eliminating plastic bags. Five years after the initial wave of bans had swept across South Carolina, and on the other side of the pandemic, the Conservation League has once again picked up the plastic pollution problem.

Though much of the Charleston region successfully passed single-use plastics bans and mandated stores to instead offer paper or reusable bags to customers, the pollution problem was far from resolved. Instead, large-scale and nationally-owned chain stores responded by making thicker plastic bags and marketing them as “reusable,” thus allowable under the language of the ordinances. Many of us quickly noticed that these alternatives weren’t being used as reusables and that the existing ordinances left us with a loophole for plastic to sneak through. In fact, scientific data from a College of Charleston graduate student supports this hypothesis; plastic bag litter actually increased following the bans. Since the ordinances had effects opposite of their intent, we knew the plastic problem was evolving and we needed to get rid of these thicker plastic bags.

A thick plastic bag littered near a Lowcountry marsh

Early last fall, we approached the City of Charleston to gauge their interest in closing the loophole that allowed for these thicker plastic bags to be used. By early December 2023, the City amended the ordinance language to do just that. Quietly, the towns of James Island and Mount Pleasant have passed similar amendments, and we’re expecting Folly Beach and Charleston County to soon follow suit. Within the next six months to a year, there should be no stores offering thicker plastic bags in the Charleston region.

Brooke Blosser giving testimony at Town of Mount Pleasant public comment to close the thick plastic bag loophole

Just last month, on Fort Johnson’s historic and pristine marine science campus, I presented the history and recent updates of our plastics work to scientists at the Microplastics in the Coastal Zone regional conference. Scientists from across the state were excited to hear about the recent developments, but agreed there is still work to be done. Research shows there is still an alarming amount of litter, including plastics, in the Charleston region’s waterways.

Thanks to our partners at Charleston Waterkeeper, Charleston Surfrider, and South Carolina Aquarium, there are always ample opportunities to participate in a litter sweep. Or, if you notice an abundance of improperly discarded litter in your neighborhood, you can always reach out to PalmettoPride. We’ll continue to keep you posted on ways to help reduce litter (hint: scroll to the bottom for a volunteer opportunity!). In the meantime, check out what’s banned where you live, be sure to applaud any local municipalities who have closed the thick plastic bag loophole, and leave only your footprints when venturing on our beaches and county parks.

Old Baker Hospital site under threat of rezoning and loss of park space / Post & Courier

Safeguarding park space from industrial rezoning

This Thursday, May 16, North Charleston City Council will vote whether to approve the rezoning request of a portion of a Charleston County Parks and Recreation site to heavy industrial for the construction of a boat manufacturing warehouse, dry stack storage, and industrial dock. Yes, you read that correctly: Sea Fox Boat has entered into a private-public partnership with Charleston County Parks and Recreation to lease a portion of the publicly owned land for a manufacturing warehouse and in return, Sea Fox will fund the development of a county park on the rest of the land.

A park is much needed, but should not come at the cost of subjecting the community to additional industrial activity in their neighborhood.

The establishment of this park would fill the much-needed public access to greenspace and waterfront access that is lacking in the area. The surrounding historic neighborhoods Accabee, Union Heights and Chicora-Cherokee have all expressed concerns and frustration at the proposal of more heavy industrial in an area oversaturated with it as it is.

A park for the residents of North Charleston MUST NOT come at the price of a heavy industrial site.

A new leader for our Energy & Climate Program

Taylor Allred recently hit the ground running in his new role as Energy & Climate Program Director, fittingly starting on Earth Day! Taylor is looking forward to serving as an advocate for state and local policies that help to advance a clean energy transition as quickly and equitably as possible. Taylor’s addition to the team is very timely, as he is joining us at a pivotal moment for opposing new fossil-fuel infrastructure that would drive up utility rates and lock in new sources of harmful emissions. At the state level, his work will include engaging with legislators and regulators, including the Public Service Commission.

Taylor will lead cross-cutting energy and climate initiatives, bringing with him more than 15 years of experience within the energy sector, from finance to advocacy. A longtime follower and supporter of the Conservation League, Taylor grew up surrounded by his family’s deep connection to the environment of coastal South Carolina, frequently having the opportunity to be immersed in nature. For Taylor, joining the Conservation League brings it all full circle, conjoining his childhood in Mount Pleasant with his career.

Most of you probably heard it was Earth Day a couple weeks ago, but here at the Conservation League, we celebrate Earth Month! Throughout the month of April, we gave 11 talks, hosted three engagement events, tabled at seven Earth Day events, and hosted three volunteer events! Check out some highlights!

From left to right: Lucie Kulze leading an Earth Day nature walk, kayaking in Canadys at Rally for the Edisto, Emma Berry at Kids Who Care, and our latest crew of oyster reef restorers!

We have some great events coming up later this month and throughout the summer. Please remember to register for any you plan to attend!

Join us!

Pint Night with Two Blokes Brewing

Thursday, May 23; 5:00 PM

Two Blokes Brewing – 47 Long Point Rd Suite 101, Mt. Pleasant

Join us for a night of education, beer drinking, and raising money for a great cause! $1 of each pint sold will be donated to the Coastal Conservation League! Learn about our projects and work in the area as well as get the latest scoop on what’s to come with the proposed extension of I-526. See more details here.

Noisette Creek Litter Sweep

Saturday, June 1; 9:30 AM–11:00 AM

4262 Ohear Ave, North Charleston

Join Coastal Conservation League and our partners for a litter cleanup around Noisette Creek in North Charleston! This area of the creek is in serious need of some TLC, so come ready to get muddy and have some fun!

All cleanup supplies are provided. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to participate. Please come dressed to get muddy and wearing close-toed shoes (rubber boots are recommended). There is a fair amount of parking, but carpooling is always encouraged! Registration is free but required.

Oyster Reef Build with SCDNR

Tuesday, June 18; 9:30 AM–12:30 PM

SCDNR Marine Resources Division, 217 Fort Johnson Road

Get muddy with us and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ oyster team (SCDNR SCORE) to build an oyster reef in the middle of the Charleston Harbor on Shutes Folly Island! This oyster build is special because we will be adding bagged oyster shell and wire reefs onto our 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023 Shutes Folly oyster builds!

Learn more and please register to attend here.

For more volunteer opportunities and events outside of the Charleston area, visithttps://coastalconservationleague.org/events/