Single-use plastics are causing a significant environmental problem.  They are not biodegradable, and can take 450 years to decompose.[1]  So much of this plastic ends up in the ocean that within a few years we may end up with a pound of plastic for every three pounds of fish![2] Waste from takeout orders alone in the United States accounts for over 200 tons of plastic entering the landfill each year.[3]  Platteville Girl Scout Cadette Troop 5273 wants to help reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the landfills and environment around Platteville.  Restaurants that provide single-use plastics to their customers should also provide easily accessible recycling bins to their customers.  The recyclables should then be recycled in the appropriate manner.

[1] https://www.thebalancesmb.com/how-long-does-it-take-garbage-to-decompose-2878033
[2] https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/plastics-in-the-ocean/
[3] https://hubworks.com/blog/6-easy-and-fast-ways-to-reduce-your-restaurants-use-of-plastic.html