The monthly newsletter implied the guest speaker would talk about plastics. What more could any of us learn about plastics? A lot!
Speaker Heather Stapleton of the Indian River National Estuary Program quickly clarified the focus—not how to recycle but how to reduce consumption of plastics to protect the Indian River Lagoon.
“We keep making and buying more plastic while recycling less of it,” Stapleton said.
She highlighted a few challenges of recycling plastics.
· - Single stream recycling—where all recyclables put in one bin--has not increased recycling, especially of plastics.
· - Worldwide, only 9 percent of plastic is recycled. Even less is recycled locally and the remainder is burned, buried or becomes litter.
· - Plastics account for about 18.5 percent of total municipal solid waste in landfills.
To understand some of the challenges of recycling plastics, Stapleton took us on a virtual tour of a Material Recovery Facilities, or MRF, for recycling and landfill.
“The danger is runoff from the [nearby] canal, which is pretty much untreated, can go to the lagoon.”
The interior of the MRF, where she said she goes “more often than anyone should,” is filled with noise and smells.
“It’s somebody’s job to sort through our stuff.”
In single stream recycling, sorting involves removing plastics (like bags) that can jam machinery or that contain contaminants (like grease or food) or chemicals, which could result in diverting these plastics to the landfill.
Stapleton also addressed the problem of WISH cycling--when well-intentioned but uninformed consumers fill their recycle bins with items they hope will be collected.
Part of the problem stems from items labeled by manufacturers as recyclable but which are not recycled by the county MRF. It’s up to the individual consumer to be informed.
Plastics, which contaminate our environment, break down into microplastics--(MPs), less than 5 mm in diameter (about the size of a #2 pencil eraser)—and can enter ecosystems with storm- or wastewater discharges or rainfall and are then ingested by humans and wildlife alike, negatively affecting entire ecosystems. (The silent invaders)
Given barriers to recycling and the challenges facing all of us, Stapleton shares a hopeful message. That her audiences will take on the personal challenge of reducing single-use plastic and striving for a plastic-free lifestyle.
Stapleton said she has joined social media groups to share ideas. She also takes reusable containers to shop or to restaurants. She recommends farmers markets.
“I’m always on the lookout. . . Always new things,” she said, citing efforts undertaken by European countries.
The lively talk ended with a Q & A, which continued long after the meeting had been adjourned.
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NOTE - Presentation by Heather Stapleton, Community Engagement Coordinator for the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program, on March 9, 2026.
Sponsored by the Conradina Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. Monthly meeting are held the second Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Church of the Nazarene, 2745 S. Babcock St., Melbourne, Fla. 32901.
“I roam far and wide,” Stapleton told the audience before her talk. She has given 28 presentations in three months, most of which were in Brevard County. She brings to her talks an extensive knowledge of recycling and an understanding of consumer behavior and a sense of humor.
Membership in a Native Plant Society - anyone can attend these meetings, but membership fees help support projects, such as outreach/ education and native plant gardens. After each meeting, attendees can take home a native plant.
Related Works
Ayres, K.J. “The Issues in the Indian River Lagoon.” One Lagoon. 22 January 2026. https://onelagoon.org/the-lagoon/the-issues/. Accessed 11 March 2026.
“Microplastics—The Silent Invaders.” The Deep Dive Blog. Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida. 8 November 2023. https://wildlifeflorida.org/microplastics-silent-invaders/. Accessed 11 March 2026.
“Why Aren’t We Recycling More Plastic?” United Nations Development Programme. 28 November 2023. https://stories.undp.org/why-arent-we-recycling-more-plastic. Accessed 11 March 2026.
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