The Reduction of Plastic Pollution

There are currently over 5 trillion pieces of plastic littering our oceans, and that number keeps growing. In all, this trash accumulates in 5 different floating garbage patches, with the largest one being the Great Pacific Garbage Patch located between California and Hawaii. But what does a far-off floating patch of garbage have to do with you?

EVERYTHING!

Plastic Never Fully Decomposes

Instead, it breaks down into tiny pieces called microplastics. Eventually, these microplastics settle on the ocean floor, littering and choking natural habitats, harming marine life on the way down.

Plastic Becomes a

Food Source

Microplastics on the ocean floor become a “food source” for plankton and other bottom feeders. And many of our own marine food sources consume these organisms, which means we, too, end up consuming microplastics.

Plastic Kills Our Marine Life

Conservative estimates suggest that plastic pollution kills more than one million sea birds, marine mammals, and other animals every year. Other research shows that 100% of our sea turtles have already consumed plastic in some form.

Plastic is the No. 1 Polluter

Around the world, thousands of rivers feed directly into the oceans. So, it’s not surprising that nearly 80% of plastic pollution in the oceans can be traced back to 1,000 river mouths around the globe, including the Mississippi River.

Plastic Harms Natural Wildlife

Plastic in our rivers affects animals similar to the animals in the oceans. Plastic that doesn’t travel downstream breaks down into microplastics which eventually become a part of fish diets and, at some point, our own.

Plastic Pollutes Our Drinking Water

Rivers are considered fresh sources of drinking water, but plastic pollution makes this resource less appealing. Plastic bottles contain EDCs (endocrine-disrupting chemicals) and other harmful chemicals, which leak into rivers and streams as they break down.

Plastic Is Rarely Recycled

Roughly 5% of plastic in the United States gets recycled properly every year. The other 95% percent? Yep, you guessed it! It ends up in our landfills, rivers, and oceans. Additionally, most plastic isn’t recyclable at all.

Plastic Litter Is Everywhere

We guarantee you can’t drive down the street of your neighborhood without seeing a plastic bottle, utensil, or bag lying around. Littering is one of the major reasons plastic ends up in lawns, ditches, and fields.

Plastic Is Used Every Day

There is no argument that plastic is hard to get rid of. It’s a part of our everyday lives! But, if we can eliminate one portion of it (plastic bottles), then we can help make a difference in plastic pollution, not just on land but in the sea.