Outreach teaches about the types of plastics

The Mariana Islands Nature Alliance joined with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife last Nov. 3 at the American Memorial Park in Garapan to demonstrate to students and volunteers the differences in plastics and how to recycle them correctly.

MINA outreach coordinator Joseph Nekaifes and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Mariana Trench Marine National Monument Park ranger Jihan Younis headlined the workshop, speaking about environmental thoughtfulness and how the community can contribute to reduce plastic waste.

Several volunteers and a group from the Saipan Seventh Day Adventist School attended the event.

Nekaifes said the workshop that day was part of their new pilot project called “Community Recycles Plastic” program. Essentially, it aims to teach the public how to sort the different types of plastics “so that they can eventually do it at home.”

Although there are dozens of types of plastics, they can be broken down into seven groups, Nekaifes said.

“On Saipan, we can recycle the Type 1, Type 2, Type 4 and the Type 5,” he added.

Type 1 plastics are the clear part of water bottles while Type 2 are the plastics that make up the bottle cap. Five-gallon water bottle caps are Type 5 plastics and laundry detergent bottles are Type 4.

Nekaifes said they can turn these plastics into key chain charms, mini decors, coasters, fishing bobbers, bowls and more. They are also currently looking into how Type 1 plastics can be used as 3D printing filament.

“By recycling we can make more products,” he said, as they aim to get more people knowledgeable on sorting for the eventual use of their 3-in-1 Upcycling Machine.

Younis explained that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s intention in being a part of this partnership “is for people to make the connection between our actions on land and its impact not only on the nearshore waters, but also in the deep sea. Our islands are closest to a deepsea feature like the Mariana Trench, and we are already seeing trash ending up there.”

In a 2016 NOAA deep exploration of the Marianas, very common debris items, like processed meat cans, beer cans, and plastics were spotted on the ocean floor, she said.

“In the clips and videos, you will see evidence of trash in the deep…,” she said, “so we just want to try and make this distinction—that everything is connected and a little goes a long way with whatever actions you do on land.”

Younis added that garbage is also impacting the CNMI’s three northernmost islands: Asuncion, Maug, and Farallon de Pajaros.