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The Plastic Problem on the The Big Island: Why Going Green Matters Hawaiʻi is a paradise renowned for its pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. But beneath this beauty lies a growing environmental challenge: plastic waste. On the Big Island alone, the amount of plastic that ends up in our landfills is staggering—and its impact is felt by our ecosystems, marine life, and communities. Shocking Plastic Waste Statistics An estimated 90 million pounds of plastic waste are generated annually in the state Hawaiʻi. Of this, only about 10% gets recycled , leaving the rest to be landfilled or, worse, littered into our environment. Plastics can take 400–1,000 years to decompose , leaching harmful chemicals into the soil and water. A 2023 study revealed that plastic debris makes up 60–80% of marine litter collected from Hawaiian shores. The Cost to Our ʻĀina (Land) and Ocean Plastic pollution doesn’t just mar Hawaiʻi’s natural beauty—it th...