Humans are treating the ocean like a TRASH BIN
Impacts on our environment and our economy
The pollution also has huge costs for taxpayers and local governments that must clean this trash off of beaches and streets to protect public health, prevent flooding from trash-blocked storm drains, and avoid lost tourism revenue from filthy beaches. NRDC analyzed a survey of 95 California communities and found their total reported annual costs for preventing litter from becoming pollution is $428 million per year.
One estimate is that plastic pollution alone could be costing developing and industrialised nations up to $1.27 Billion annually as it threatens fishing, shipping and tourism (McIlgorm et al, 2008)
A UN study in 2002 concluded that vast resources of the oceans were at risk, along with many economic benefits that humanity derives from them, estimated at about $7 trillion per year (United Nations, 2002)
The aesthetics of plastic waste along coastlines can affect tourism and the ‘well-being’ of local communities. In 2010, the Cinque Terre region of Italy banned plastic bottles after it was estimated that 2 million were left behind by tourists every year.
The waste on coastlines is not necessarily locally produced. In 1989, 29000 bath toys were lost at sea in the Pacific Ocean. 15 years and 17,000 miles later these toys began arriving at beaches in the UK
One estimate is that plastic pollution alone could be costing developing and industrialised nations up to $1.27 Billion annually as it threatens fishing, shipping and tourism (McIlgorm et al, 2008)
A UN study in 2002 concluded that vast resources of the oceans were at risk, along with many economic benefits that humanity derives from them, estimated at about $7 trillion per year (United Nations, 2002)
The aesthetics of plastic waste along coastlines can affect tourism and the ‘well-being’ of local communities. In 2010, the Cinque Terre region of Italy banned plastic bottles after it was estimated that 2 million were left behind by tourists every year.
The waste on coastlines is not necessarily locally produced. In 1989, 29000 bath toys were lost at sea in the Pacific Ocean. 15 years and 17,000 miles later these toys began arriving at beaches in the UK
How to stop?
-> Make sure it never reaches the water in the first place.
-> Individuals need to recycle and never litter
-> Producers need to design packaging so that it is fully recyclable, and so there is less waste.
-> Producers need to help cover the costs of keeping their products out of the ocean.
-> Individuals need to recycle and never litter
-> Producers need to design packaging so that it is fully recyclable, and so there is less waste.
-> Producers need to help cover the costs of keeping their products out of the ocean.
What Can You DO?
-> Reduce plastic use.
-> Bring your own CLOTH bags – reuse your cloth bags over and over again.
-> 3 R's - REDUCE, REUSE, and RECYCLE!!!
-> Drinking water out of glass or other non-plastic container.
-> Pick up litter.
-> Use collapsible baskets, boxes or crates.
-> Volunteer to clean the beach
-> Educating other peoples!!!
-> Bring your own CLOTH bags – reuse your cloth bags over and over again.
-> 3 R's - REDUCE, REUSE, and RECYCLE!!!
-> Drinking water out of glass or other non-plastic container.
-> Pick up litter.
-> Use collapsible baskets, boxes or crates.
-> Volunteer to clean the beach
-> Educating other peoples!!!
Invest in high quality reusable bags – each bag you replace has the potential to reduce 1,000 plastic bags per person!
Help Keep Plastic Out of the OceanParticipate in California Coast and Waterway Cleanups
California Coastal Cleanup Day
Annual state-wide volunteer beach trash clean-up event on the third Saturday in September.
Adopt-a-Beach Program
California Coastal Commission’s program for groups to help with beach clean-up year-round.
NOAA’s Marine Debris Educational Resources
Information about marine debris programs throughout the U.S., including many focused on California and the Pacific Ocean.
Information About Buying and Using Less PlasticThe Watershed Project: Reduce Your Plastic Footprint
Ten easy things you can do to reduce the amount of plastic that gets into waterways and the ocean.
Rise Above Plastic
Surfrider Foundation-sponsored program and website that provides information and suggestions for reducing your plastic footprint (including a soon-to-be-launched “plastic calculator”) and keeping plastic out of the ocean.
The Story of Stuff
A lively and informative 20-minute downloadable video that looks at the underside of our production and consumption patterns.
Fake Plastic Fish: Living Life with Less Plastic
One woman’s blog about her efforts to use less plastic. Includes many suggestions for alternatives to plastic in everyday life.
Green 11 Store
San Francisco store selling bulk organic beauty products and non-toxic cleaning supplies to fill customer’s own containers. 2164 Union Street, San Francisco