Janet Boscarino – Memphis Flyer

Every year, as much as 23 million tons of plastic are leaked into our oceans, rivers, and seas worldwide. Taking proactive steps to reduce plastic pollution has never been more critical. The pervasive presence of plastic waste poses severe risks to our ecosystems, health, and future generations, but by making conscious efforts to minimize plastic use, communities like Memphis can experience a variety of benefits and foster a cleaner, greener future.

1. Protects our waterways

Plastic pollution has a devastating impact on our waterways, but individual actions to reduce plastic use can significantly benefit our local rivers and streams. In Memphis, the mighty Mississippi River is a lifeline, providing essential resources as well as local recreational opportunities. Its local watersheds also have a part to play. The Loosahatchie River, Wolf River, and Nonconnah Creek in Memphis all feed into the Mississippi River Watershed, the fourth largest in the world. The Mississippi River eventually drains into the Gulf of Mexico, leading to the North Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately, plastic waste often finds its way into these waterways, contributing to pollution that extends far beyond our city’s borders.

When residents choose to reduce their plastic consumption — opting for reusable water bottles, bags, and containers — they contribute to a healthier city. These seemingly small actions prevent debris from accumulating locally, reducing the risk of harm to aquatic life and preserving the natural beauty of our environment. Clean rivers and streams support diverse wildlife and provide cleaner water for human use, creating a ripple effect that extends to the broader ecosystem and contributes to cleaner oceans globally.

2. Reduces health hazards

The benefits of reducing plastic pollution are not limited to environmental preservation; they also have direct, tangible impacts on public health. Plastics, especially when improperly disposed of, can release harmful chemicals into the air and water. These can contribute to respiratory issues, contaminate drinking water, and pose additional health risks. In Memphis, decreasing plastic pollution can lead to cleaner air and safer drinking water, reducing the incidence of health issues associated with this practice.

3. Advances our economy

Embracing sustainable practices can have significant economic benefits for Memphis. A cleaner environment can attract tourism and enhance the city’s reputation as a desirable destination for visitors. Visitors are drawn to cities with pristine natural attractions, spotless streets, and a commitment to environmental sustainability, leading to increased tourism revenue and economic growth.

Moreover, investing in waste management infrastructure and sustainable technologies creates job opportunities and stimulates municipal development. By transitioning to more sustainable waste management practices, such as recycling and composting, we can create eco-friendly jobs in industries like waste collection, recycling processing, and renewable energy production. These jobs not only provide employment opportunities but also contribute to the growth of Memphis, positioning us as a leader in environmental innovation and sustainability.

4. Strengthens community relationships

Reducing plastic pollution can also strengthen community relationships by fostering collaboration and collective action. Organized clean-up efforts and sustainability initiatives provide opportunities for residents to come together, bond over a shared commitment to environmental stewardship, and make a tangible difference in their neighborhoods.

In Memphis, grassroots organizations, neighborhood associations, and local businesses frequently organize cleanup events, park beautification projects, and sustainability workshops. These initiatives not only improve the physical environment but also cultivate a sense of pride and ownership among residents. By working to address these challenges, communities build stronger social connections, trust, and resilience — laying the foundation for a more vibrant and inclusive city.

As individuals, businesses, and policymakers, we must recognize the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic well-being and take concerted action to create a cleaner, greener future for our city. By working together and prioritizing sustainability, we can build a more resilient, prosperous, and inclusive Memphis for generations to come. Let us seize this opportunity to make a positive impact and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.

Janet Boscarino founded Clean Memphis in 2008, driven by her passion for creating a cleaner and greener environment.

Project Green Fork and Clean Memphis launched 10 years ago. Now both are under the Clean Memphis umbrella. Janet Boscarino, the group’s leader, said Memphis is cleaner and greener than it was a decade ago. But there is still more work to be done. — Toby Sells

Memphis Flyer: What did Memphis look like when Clean Memphis started?

Janet Boscarino: At the time, it felt to me that we’d lowered the bar. For the large part, there seemed to be a lack of people who seemed to be concerned about the look and feel of an area.

Facebook/Clean Memphis

clean up Soulsville.

There was litter on the exit ramps and on the interstate. Some businesses, too, weren’t maintaining their property. There were weeds in the sidewalk — just lowering the bar. It reflected, to me, a lack of pride. We love our kind of grit and grind in Memphis in one aspect, which I think is very positive, but not in the sense of a regressive look at who we are.

MF: What did you want to do when you got started?

JB: I just wanted to create a space for people to become involved in [cleaning up Memphis]. You’d hear a lot of … people complaining about it but not necessarily going and doing it. Memphis City Beautiful and others were trying to do things, but what I felt was missing was a strategy in engagement to raise the level of awareness of how bad the problem was and to make it easy for people to enter that space.

MF: How did you get started?

JB: We began by helping neighborhoods identify what projects they wanted to work on. We had to learn how best to support neighborhoods. There’s a fine balance between going in and saying “this is what you should do” and working with them to help understand what they want and need to do. That’s where our heart is. How do we help support you in what you need to do and bring resources to bear? It can be very tricky.

MF: Have things changed here?

JB: We’ve improved drastically in a lot of areas. Concentrated blight is still a problem in some areas because that’s not about the attitudinal change. It’s about much more complicated issues.

There are a lot of reasons why a neighborhood might look terrible. It certainly didn’t start with people not caring about their neighborhood. You have disinvestment. You had the mortgage crisis and all the blight-related issues there. There are some behavioral things, too. And we’re trying to work on those issues.

MF: What has changed in Project Green Fork’s 10 years?

JB: What I have seen is that people are more aware whether or not a restaurant is certified by Project Green Fork. When FedEx does catering, for example, they want a Project Green Fork-certified restaurant. It aligns with their sustainability goals.

Where we do struggle is with expansion. [Project Green Fork] is very Downtown-Midtown-East Memphis-centric. So, we’re looking at how to share this message of sustainable practices all over the city. MF: Is Memphis cleaner now? JB: In many places, it is much cleaner. I still think we struggle and have work to do. I think we have that with attitudinal change and behavior, too.