Did you know that every year roughly 8 million metric tons of plastic makes its way into the ocean? Alarmingly, this does not include plastic that is already in our ocean. Plastic pollution is an overwhelming environmental issue that is not only hurting humans, but also sea life in the ocean. With ocean plastic pollution being an important issue, here are a few ways you can help reduce the amount of plastic ending up in the ocean:
Reduce Single-Use Plastic
One of the easiest and biggest ways to reduce ocean plastic is by simply reducing your own use of single-use plastics. Single-use plastics include plastic bags, water bottles, straws, cups, utensils, take-out containers, and any other plastic items that are used once and then discarded.
The best way to reduce your use of single-use plastics is to refuse any single-use plastics that you do not need, such as straws, plastic bags, takeout utensils, takeout containers, while at the same time investing, and carrying with you, reusable versions of those products. Reusable alternatives include reusable grocery bags, produce bags, bottles, utensils, coffee mugs, and more.
Recycle Properly
We all use plastics in our daily lives in one form or another. Because at least some degree of plastic use is inevitable, always be sure to recycle. Unfortunately, only 9% of plastic is recycled worldwide. Though only a small percentage of plastics are actually recycled, recycling helps keep plastics out of the ocean and reduces the amount of “new” plastic in circulation. It's important to check with your local recycling center about the types of plastic they accept and the nearest recycling facility near you. Check out our recent article, “ A Guide to Recycling in Davis, CA” by our Vice President, Claire, in order to learn more about recycling in Davis, CA.
Limit your Seafood Intake
Limiting your seafood intake can also help to reduce the amount of plastic in the ocean, as fishnets are one of the biggest plastic polluters in the ocean. Old fishnets will often be thrown into the ocean, which is horrible because sea life gets trapped and is unable to escape. One way to avoid this on an individual level is to stop eating seafood or greatly reduce the amount of seafood you’re consuming and buying sustainable seafood alternatives if possible.
Avoid Microfibers
Microfibers, or microplastics, are another major source of plastic pollution in the ocean. Every time you wash synthetic clothing like polyester, acrylic, and fleece, plastic fibers from the clothing are shed into the water ways. It has been found that every time we do our laundry, an average of 9 million microfibers are released into our waste ways that we are unable to filter. To do your part to fix this, you can opt for clothes made from natural fibers or wash synthetic clothes less frequently and for a shorter duration.
Participate in a Beach or River Cleanup
One of the most direct ways you can help remedy ocean plastic pollution is by participating in a beach or river cleanup. In doing so, you are helping to remove plastics from the ocean and preventing them from remaining there over potentially endless periods of time. This is one of the most direct and rewarding ways to fight ocean plastic pollution. You can participate in a beach or river cleanup by simply going to the beach or a waterway and collecting plastic waste on your own or with friends or family. You can also participate in a cleanup by joining a local organization’s cleanup or international cleanups such as the International Coastal Cleanup. If you choose to participate in a clean, please ensure that you are safe by using gloves, wearing a face mask, social distancing, and/or avoiding large gatherings in order to be COVID-safe.
With these tips in mind, it is important to take any action possible in the fight against ocean plastic pollution. No action is too small in order to make an impact towards the fight against plastic pollution. These actions can make a difference and save the sea life in our ocean.
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