This article first appeared at MercyWorld.org.

Garbage/Pollution was one of the significant issues raised during MIRP, with groups from 8 Mercy Congregations and Institutes reporting their reflections and actions to address this important issue (MIRP Report, p.6). Single-use plastic has been identified as one of the critical environmental issues of our time, affecting the health of land, oceans, wildlife and ourselves. Movement continues to grow globally among governments and lawmakers—the latest being the EU— to ban single-use plastic items, and for businesses to provide compostable or reusable alternatives to plastic bags and plastic straws.
To help end plastic pollution, you are invited to take action: watch the impact on oceans,  sign a petition, say no to straws,  take the 4R pledge, take the journey away from plastic.

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To find out more about World Oceans Day, visit: www.worldoceansday.org

A Platform for Action
World Environment Day is the UN's most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. Since it began in 1974, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in over 100 countries.

The People's Day
Above all, World Environment Day is the "people's day" for doing something to take care of the Earth. That "something" can be focused locally, nationally or globally; it can be a solo action or involve a crowd. Everyone is free to choose.

The Theme
Each World Environment Day is organized around a theme that focuses attention on a particularly pressing environmental concern. The theme for 2018 is beating plastic pollution.
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Find out more about World Environment Day 2018, visit: worldenvironmentday.global