80% of the ocean's garbage patch comes from trash bags and plastic bottles that wash in from the beach. Swirling in the Pacific Ocean is a garbage patch of plastic the size of Texas and growing.
Each year in honor of World Ocean Day, which falls in June, hundreds of people take the pledge to 'Rise Above Plastics' in their daily lives, and you can do it too!
Make the promise to use less plastic in your life at Surfrider Foundation today! Here are some tips from Surfrider on how you can rise above plastics now!
Here are 10 Ways To Rise Above Plastics:
- Choose to reuse when it comes to shopping bags and bottled water. Cloth bags and metal or reusable glass bottles are available locally at great prices.
- Refuse single-serving packaging, excess packaging, straws and other 'disposable' plastics. Carry reusable utensils in your purse, backpack or car to use at bbq's, potlucks or take-out restaurants.
- Reduce conventional plastics such as sandwich bags and juice cartons by replacing them with a reusable lunch bag/box that includes a thermos.
- Bring your to-go mug with you to the coffee shop, smoothie shop or restaurants that let you use them. It's an excellent way to reduce lids, plastic cups, and plastic-lined cups.
- Go digital! No need for plastic CDs, DVDs and jewel cases when you can buy your music and videos online.
- Seek out alternatives to other plastic items you rely on and use daily.
- Recycle. If you must use plastic, try to choose #1 (PETE) or #2 (HDPE), which are the most commonly recycled plastics. Avoid plastic bags, and polystyrene foam as both typically have very low recycling rates.
- Volunteer at a beach cleanup. Surfrider Foundation Chapters often hold cleanups monthly or more frequently.
- Support plastic bag bans, polystyrene foam bans, and bottle recycling bills.
- Spread the word. Talk to your family and friends about why it is important for them to rise above plastics!
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