Plastic is everywhere you look now. This intruder in the marine environment wreaks havoc: marine species can become entangled and injured in floating debris; they can mistakenly ingest colourful plastic, leading to a false sense of fullness and death; invasive species can be carried to habitats where they don’t belong, toxins from the manufacturing process can leach into the water, and even more…
80% of marine debris comes from land-based sources, so we all have a responsibility to reduce our plastic consumption for a healthy ocean. Here are some top tips:
1. Ditch the plastic bottles – and opt for a canteen instead.
2. Say no to plastic bags – and carry your own reusable bags to the store. (Most of the time you’ll get a discount for doing this!)
3. Straws suck – tell your server you’re helping the planet by refusing a straw. (You can also carry your own reusable straw!)
4. Change the way you shop – look for bulk stores in your area and shop for fresh fruit and veggies in cloth produce bags instead of plastic ones!
5. Spread the word – tell your friends and family to change their consumption habits. Challenge each other to go plastic free for a week, a month or even a year!
May 2017 - Conservation Comments
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