Trash Is Overrunning Our Planet
You might have seen it driving on the highway, or while relaxing on the beach, or even in your own neighborhood. There is no denying it; there is trash spewed all over our planet right now. Because of our mass consumption of so many products and careless attitude about recycling, our environment is in danger. Every year we dump over 17.6 billion pounds of plastic into the ocean and it is projected that there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050.
How Does This Affect Us?
Plastic in the ocean gets broken down into smaller pieces known as microplastic. These pieces of plastic are so small that fish and other marine life can easily consume them, which in turn means that we are consuming them when we eat those fish. Another problem is that about 70% of all ocean garbage sinks down to the seafloor which means it is unlikely that we will ever be able to clean it up. So, what can we do as an individual that can make a difference and clean up our environment?
Cutting Down On Plastic
To cut down on the amount of plastic we consume, consider bringing reusable bags to the grocery store or any other store instead of wasting plastic bags every shopping trip. Another top contributor to plastic in the ocean is plastic water bottles. To cut down on plastic bottle waste we should switch to reusable water bottles instead, not to mention it will save you money in the long run as well! Look at your household and how many single-use items you rely on. Try to use more sustainable products, such as reusable containers, electric toothbrushes, and metal straws. Get rid of single-use plastic bags, plastic straws, and disposable cutlery. You might also want to consider buying as many products as you can in bulk because that will cut down on extra packaging and your costs
Recycling
Be intentional about how you recycle and dispose of trash. Be considerate about where you put your trash and carefully read the directions on where to put each item. Composting is also a good practice to get into to reduce the volume of garbage sent to landfills.
Volunteering
Aside from cutting down on plastic consumption and recycling, volunteering for a local clean up program is a great way to get involved. There are usually plenty of groups that come together to pick up trash in your area. All it takes is one Google search to find the nearest meeting point!
You Can Make A Difference
We can reach our goal of a healthier and debris-free planet if we all work together and do our part every day. We have the potential to make a big difference that generations to come will forever be grateful for. In the meantime, feel free to check out our other article on documentaries specifically catered to bettering the planet!