From use to waste: Baylor graduate campaigns to end plastic pollution

By Audrey Valenzuela | Editor

Baylor graduate Rev. Kathryn Beilke combines environmental activism and religion through her position at Beyond Plastics.

Judith Enck founded Beyond Plastics to fight plastic pollution through organizing, education, advocacy and policy change, said communications director Melissa Valliant. Because of the country’s divisions, getting policy action passed has been challenging, but the team has continued to address these issues at the federal level to gain the attention of lawmakers.

“We’re working to combat plastic pollution by reducing the production and use of unnecessary plastics. We’re doing that primarily through policy changes at the local, state and federal levels,” Valliant said. “The country is pretty divided, so it’s been challenging at the federal level, but at the local and state level we’re seeing great progress with bans on single-use plastics like bags and Styrofoam.”

The organization works with cities and states across the country to push through legislation like New York’s Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. Valiant said it takes a lot of time and work to get such legislation passed, but it would be the most comprehensive plastic reduction policy in the country.

Beilke said she plans to support this project by reaching out to individuals and groups in New York and encouraging them to write letters to the assembly explaining why plastic pollution is a problem and how it can be solved.

While at Baylor University, Beilke studied religion and social work, finding Dr. Paul Martens’ course on environmental ethics inspiring. After graduating in 2007, she attended Princeton Theological Seminary and later served for ten years as an ordained Presbyterian minister in the Hudson Valley, NY church. There, Beilke said, she experienced God “healing her relationship with the earth.”

Beilke said she was then given the opportunity to work as an interfaith partnership coordinator with Beyond Plastics to raise awareness about pollution.

“In this role, I try to build a bridge between people who want to do something because their faith has motivated them to care for our planet, but who need a means to drive change,” Beilke said.

Valliant says Beilke brought a unique perspective on the intersection of environmentalism and religion to Beyond Plastics, and Valliant itself has learned from it.

“I’m excited to see how she connects the fight against plastic pollution with people who are already tackling this problem,” Valliant said.

If you don’t pay attention to the issue, it’s easy to forget how much plastic you use every day, says Beilke. It all starts with becoming aware of how much waste you produce. As a mother, Beilke says she noticed a growing concern about the lack of alternatives to plastic packaging and was motivated to reduce her plastic consumption.

“Four years ago, I decided to give up plastic for Lent, and it was an enormous challenge. I encourage anyone, regardless of faith, who is fasting as part of their tradition to take up this challenge and give up plastic for 40 days,” said Beilke. “It’s an eye-opener and makes you realize how dependent we are in our culture on disposable items and how convenient they are.”

Many people are not aware of how much plastic they use in their everyday lives, says Beilke. The New York Times reports that the average American uses and throws away 50 kilograms of plastic every year.

Being conscious of what we put our food in and what we throw away could be the beginning of a healthier environment and lead to the use of alternative packaging that is biodegradable, Beilke said.

“I hope that more faith communities will join our local groups and our partner network,” said Beilke. “There are committees, churches, synagogues and faith communities of all faiths that are committed to the preservation of creation and environmental justice.”