When plastic reaches our oceans, whether it is a plastic bag, straw, bottle or something else, each piece poses a threat to the animals that depend on the ocean for their food. To a sea turtle a floating plastic bag looks like a jellyfish. Plastic pellets look like fish eggs to seabirds. And sadly, as our consumption of plastic mounts, so too has the dangers to marine life and the health of our oceans. Plastic pollution affects over 700 marine species and estimates suggest that around 100 million marine mammals are killed each year from plastic pollution. Think about it.
Below are a few suggestions that you, your friends and your families can try all support ocean health. Its not difficult to remember REFUSE - REDUCE - REUSE - RECYCLE
ALWAYS REFUSE DISPOSABLE PLASTIC
Refuse single use disposable plastic. Choose items that are not packaged in plastic, and carry your own bags, containers and utensils. Challenge your local retailers (eg coffee shops, bars, restaurants, dry cleaners) to stop using plastics and source not plastic items (eg paper straws). Refuse plastic bags, plastic straws, plastic cutlery and cups by choosing environmentally friendly alternatives. Ask your friends and family to do the same.
REDUCE YOUR PLASTIC FOOTPRINT
A key part of plastic waste reduction is using natural resources wisely and, using less than normal to avoid unnecessary waste. It’s easy to stop buying goods that contain excessive plastic packaging and parts. Only buy what you need and use all of what you buy - or when you are through with something, you can pass it along to other people who can continue to put it to good use. Talk to your family and friends about why it is important to reduce plastic in our lives and share experiences and recommendations of safe alternatives.
REUSE DURABLE NON-TOXIC PLASTIC ITEMS
Always reuse durable, non-toxic plastic straws, utensils, to-go containers, bottles, bags, and any other items instead of throwing them away (or given them to someone who can reuse them). When the times comes, replace your plastics with eco materials including glass, paper, stainless steel, wood, ceramic or bamboo. Note: Biodegradable plastic water bottles and shopping bags are neither a good solution nor a sustainable alternative.
RECYCLE WHAT YOU CAN’T REFUSE, REDUCE OR REUSE
Don’t just toss everything in the trash. Lots of things (like cans, bottles, paper, and cardboard) can be remade into either the same kind of thing or new products. Making new items from recycled ones takes less energy and fewer resources than making products from brand new materials. Just about anything in your home (or office or school, etc.) that cannot be reused CAN be recycled into something else.
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