Pollution in illinois

Illinois is one of the states that have passed legislation to reduce pollution levels. There are many ways to reduce pollution and some of them are more effective than others. The most important thing to remember is that everyone should do their part to make sure that they are not contributing to polluting the environment.

Nutrient Pollution and Algal Blooms

Nutrient pollution can cause an overabundance of algae, which in turn can contaminate drinking water sources with cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae), cover lakes and ponds in a putrid green slime that can make humans and animals sick if they swim in it, ruin recreational opportunities and hurt related businesses, and lower the value of nearby real estate.

The widespread presence of algae has a negative impact on the state of Illinois. Ten of the thirteen Illinois water bodies examined in 2012 showed a high risk of acute health impacts during recreational exposure from cyanobacteria, and one showed a very high probability.

Current Nutrient Pollution Laws

The state of Illinois should take nutrient pollution seriously and take measures to dramatically reduce nutrient pollution in order to restore the health of state waterways. The yearly loading of nitrate nitrogen and total phosphorus from Illinois into the Mississippi River should be reduced by 45% by 2040 if the state’s nutrient loss mitigation strategy is successful.

The Coalition for Plastic Reduction

Environment Illinois coordinates the work of the Coalition for Plastic Reduction, a group of Illinois-based environmental and public interest organizations and civic institutions dedicated to addressing the state’s plastic crisis through policy reform.

The Problem

Tons of plastic “things,” including single-use items like cups, bags, containers, plasticware, and more, are thrown away every day. Since plastic doesn’t break down for hundreds of years,almost every piece of plastic ever produced is still out there, clogging our landfills and polluting our waterways. Single-use food packaging accounts for half of the junk picked up in the Chicago River, and each year 22 million pounds of plastic are dumped into the Great Lakes.

One of the problems with plastic is its effect on the environment. Plastics are produced using fossil fuels, and it is predicted that by the year 2030, their greenhouse gas emissions will exceed those of coal. Community and environmental damage are being caused by plastic throughout its entire life cycle, from production to distribution to disposal.

Policy initiatives to reduce the use of single-use plastics have been spearheaded by local and state governments across the United States. Our health and the health of regional ecosystems depend on Illinois taking action now.

The Solution

The only effective method for mitigating the wide range of negative effects associated with single-use plastics is to cut down on junk production at the outset. Properly crafted policies lessen emissions at their origin, mitigate disproportionate harm to vulnerable populations, and further social and environmental justice. To that aim, CPR is advocating for legislation in the state of Illinois that will curb the manufacturing, sale, and consumption of disposable plastics.

Chicago Dumpster Rental Now offers a practical and eco-friendly way to manage debris and waste, helping to reduce the city’s carbon footprint. To create a cleaner, healthier Chicago, embracing responsible disposal practices through services like dumpster rentals is a crucial step forward.