THE OCEAN CONSERVANCY & 4 OCEAN ORG.

Plastics in the ocean are a huge problem and need to be addressed soon. It is predicted that in a decade, for every 3 pounds of fish in the ocean there will be at least one pound of plastic. According to the Ocean Conservancy website, 11 million metric tons of plastic are entering the ocean every year. At the same time more and more plastic items are being produced. Adding to the problem is the increased use of take-out containers--some are recyclable, some are not, but look recyclable. Everyone needs to be involved in working toward a solution---everywhere plastic is used and tossed. We are awash in plastic waste--much of it ending up in the oceans.

There are now quite a few organizations trying to solve the ocean plastic problem. Two of such organizations are the Ocean Conservancy and the 4Ocean organization. The first has been leading cleanups and educational and policy advocacy programs for years. The 4Ocean Organization began about seven years ago and has a more business- oriented approach. They go into the ocean with boom collectors to gather plastics, return to land bases and use these plastics to produce items they sell to fund their operations. They have developed booms that also patrol in rivers that catch plastics before they head to the oceans. If you are looking for items like reusable straws--this might be the place to shop. At least you will know part of the money spent goes into cleaning the ocean. Supporting the Ocean Conservancy is also important as they helped policy makers secure funds from the new infrastructure bill passed by Congress recently. ($200 M to NOAA and their Marine Debris Program, $275 M to Save Our Seas for recycling infrastructure, $100 M to EPA grants to help businesses and individuals recycle more, and $725M to EPA for pollution education initiatives & recycling)

As for consumers of take-out food, be aware that plastic coated paper take-out containers are neither recyclable nor compostable. Black plastic containers are not recyclable and clear plastic lids may or may not be recyclable, depending upon having a recycling symbol or local restrictions on lids. We need to restate that there is no such place as in “throwing something away”. Do you best to eliminate one-time-use plastics from your everyday life. It will protect the ocean and marine life.

EARTH STEWARD ACTION: Look around you and eliminate at least two plastic items from your reoccurring purchases.

SOURCES: www.oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/ and https://4ocean.com/join_the/movement and www.40cean.com/blogs/blog