Be Fantastic don't use plastic!
Plastic pollution is becoming a greater problem every day. Researchers predict that by the year 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. An estimated 1 million sea creatures per year perish from causes antagonized by plastic pollution. Humans are affected by plastic waste as well, and it is estimated that the average human ingests 11,000 pieces of micro plastics every year!
Being that plastic is a global issue that impacts oceans, marine life, and humans all over the world, it's easy to feel helpless. Good news: there are A LOT of things you can do to help decrease this problem.
1. Get a reusable bottle - and use it! How many bottles you'll keep out of the ocean (on average) per year: 167
2. Ask for "No Straw, Please" at restaurants. How many straws you'll keep out of the ocean (on average) per year: 584
3. Bring reusable bags to the grocery stores. How many plastic bags you'll keep out of the ocean (on average) per year: 700
4. Switch over to a bamboo toothbrush. How many plastic tooth brushes you'll keep out of the ocean (on average)per year: 5
5. Switch over to a shampoo bar. How many plastic shampoo bottles you'll keep out of the ocean (on average)per year: 4
6. Switch over to a reusable/rechargeable lighter (yes, they exist!). How many plastic lighters you'll keep out of the ocean (on average) per year: 13
7. Stop smoking! Cigarette filters are made from a type of plastic. How many cigarettes you'll keep out of the ocean (on average)per year: 3,650
8. Switch to toothpaste without microbeads. Microbeads are plastic, too! How many tubes of microbeaded toothpaste you'll keep out of the ocean (on average)per year: 6
9. Use biodegradable glitter. (Yes, glitter is even plastic!) How much glitter you'll keep out of the ocean (on average)per year: This one is tough, because some people use a lot of glitter and some don't ever use glitter, but in the past 20 years, Americans bought 10 million pounds of glitter.
10. Don't use plastic-alternative decorations. How many plastic decorations you'll keep out of the ocean (on average)per year: Again, this one is tough because the items purchased are pretty random, but every little bit helps!
So you see, if you just make the 10 simple changes listed above, you alone could make a huge difference in the number of plastics ending up in the ocean each year. The more you educate others to inspire change in their behaviors as well, the bigger the difference you can make! One person really can make a difference.
