Actor Chris Pratt is apologizing for what some consider an “environmentally dangerous” posting he made on Instagram: it showcases him standing in a gym, holding a water bottle. In Pratt’s posting, he wrote, “You’re probably wondering why I’m standing here, low key flexing, gazing into the distance… well, turns out I’m teaming up with Amazon to show you guys everything I use for my workouts, keeping active, and all that fun stuff to get you prepped for 2020.” While the workout photograph was designed to highlight exercise equipment being sold online, the water bottle is attracting the most attention and outrage.
Actor Jason Momoa commented on his posting, “Bro i love you but wtf on the water bottle. no single use plastic. come on”, sparking a controversy about single use plastics online. Pratt quickly apologized in a response saying, “Aquaman! You’re completely right. Dammit. I always carry my big gallon size reusable water jug with me too. I even had it that day!!!”, but the damage had been done. Anti-water bottle troops came online, calling Pratt’s use of the water bottle “environmentally dangerous” and “reckless”, adding that using such plastics destroys the environment and helps contribute to an imminent “climate catastrophe.” Pratt’s fans responded, calling out Momoa’s own single use water bottle usage, sharing various photographs of him drinking from different bottles of water in social media.
Momoa apologized today for the dust-up on Instagram. He writes, “BRO you know my children and I are madly in love with you and I love everything you do. I’m sorry this was received so badly today I didn’t mean for that to happen. I’m just very passionate about this single use plastic epidemic,” he added. “The plastic water bottles have to stop I hope u make a reusable water bottle for Amazon so we all can purchase. You’re an inspiration to many I’m one of them”.
Some environmentalists believe such single use plastics ultimately end up in oceans, harming marine life. Others believe they’ll lie in landfills for centuries, unable to break-down like their biodegradable cousins.
Communities around the world are banning more and more single use plastics. Many cities, such as Philadelphia, ban the use of plastic grocery bills. In Honolulu, Hawaii this week, a bill is up for final approval; if passed, it would ban plastic straws, storage bags, plates, knives, forks, spoons, sporks, disposable cups, and even the plastic grass found in sushi take-out; it would also ban more plastic bans that escaped previous bans, such as those in grocery stores to hold fresh produce.
