PLASTIC POLLUTION

Plastic is death

Over one million marine animals die each year because of plastic debris in the ocean.

According to Waste management only 1% of all plastic bags are recycled. That means that the average family only recycles 15 bags per year.

Around 18 billion pounds of plastic waste flows into the ocean every year from costal regions. That's the equivalent of five grocery bags of plastic trash sitting on every foot of coastline around the world.

According to Earth day network There are about eight million metric tons of plastic thrown into the ocean annually, resulting in five major patches of plastic in the oceans around the world.
The one between the U.S mainland and Hawaii is the size of Texas.

The plastic is not only affecting our animals of this planet but it also directly affects all humans who eat seafood. It's permeating the food chain meaning that if you eat seafood you are most likely ingesting plastic as well.

We as individuals can affect our small corner of the world. As we look around us, first in the grocery store, while we shop, we find many brands of breads and other foods with plastic wrap on it, needlessly, while other brands do not. Plastic water bottles. Plastic glasses, cups, plates, and so forth and so on.

We can easily choose which items to buy to reduce our plastic load. We can easily bring our own tote bags to avoid the Plastic bags.

When we go to a restaurant we get given Plastic straws in our water wether we ask for them or not. If portions are too large we are given a Plastic doggie-bag, often placed in a Plastic bag to carry it in. If we go to a drive-thru we are given Plastic cutlery and it's all put into a Plastic bag for convenience. If we mail something we often use Plastic bubble wrap, leaving the recipient to deal with it.

When you use something make sure to put the plastic in the recycling bin.
When we order takeaway to our door it can be often delivered in a Plastic container. All plastic containers have a triangle on the bottom with a number inside. If the number is a 1 or a 5 it's recyclable.

In conclusion, just be aware of all single-use plastic that we are surrounded by, and being forced on us. If you can, refuse to take it, and if not, then recycle all that you can when you get home. Every little bit helps.

Planet or plastic? It's our decision. You decide.