Rise Above Plastics - The Surfriders Pledge...

Living right by the sea, the mis-use of plastic is rarely far from my mind. Whenever I go for a walk, I see where the ocean spits plastic out on the coastal path and the beaches. I see it floating in the harbour and gathering on rocky shores. There's no getting away from it - plastic makes the ocean sick!! Below, find out more and learn how you can help to heal the ocean...

Why Take The 'Rise Above Plastics' Pledge?

Each year, one million sea birds and
one hundred thousand marine mammals die
from ingestion of, or entanglement in plastics.
- Surfrider Foundation

Of course, plastic itself isn't the problem. The real issue is that as a society and as individuals, we choose to use single-use and disposable products, packaged in plastic. Consider this. It takes one person just a few minutes to consume a snack yoghurt, or a bottle of water, or a tub of ice-cream. Then, we throw away the plastic packaging. Recycling isn't the answer. Unlike glass and aliminium, the life-cycle of recycled plastic packaging is still short. So, what happens to all that plastic?

With the exception of the small amount that is incinerated,
virtually every piece of plastic that has ever
been made still exists in some shape or form.
- Surfrider Foundation

If this troubles you, you can rise to the challenge. Take the 'Rise Above Plastic' Pledge. Here are a few of the ways we can all honour the pledge, reduce our 'plastic footprint' and help keep plastics out of the marine environment. These tips come directly from Surfrider Foundation and I've added a few bonus tips & a shopping hit-list too...

Rise Above Plastics - Top Ten...

1. Choose to reuse when it comes to shopping bags and bottled water. You can get cloth bags and metal or glass reusable bottles are available locally at great prices.
2. Refuse single-serving packaging, excess packaging, straws and other 'disposable' plastics. Carry reusable utensils in your purse, backpack or car to use at bbq's, potlucks or take-out restaurants.
   
3. Reduce everyday plastics such as sandwich bags and juice cartons by replacing them with a reusable lunch bag/box that includes a thermos.
4. Bring your to-go mug with you to the coffee shop, smoothie shop or restaurants that let you use them. A great way to reduce lids, plastic cups and/or plastic-lined cups. Bonus Tip: I've done this at Pret A Manger and they're often glad to oblige - it's won me extra points on my loyalty card!
5. Go digital! No need for plastic cds, dvds and cases when you can buy your music and videos online. Bonus Tip: If you really want a hard copy - buy second hand on Amazon
6. Seek out alternatives to the plastic items that you rely on.
   
7. Recycle. If you must use plastic, try to choose #1 (PETE) or #2 (HDPE), which are the most commonly recycled plastics. Avoid plastic bags and polystyrene foam as both typically have very low recycling rates.
8. Volunteer at a beach cleanup.
9. Support plastic bag bans, polystyrene foam bans and bottle recycling bills.
10. Spread the word. Talk to your family and friends about why it is important to Rise Above Plastics!
    

Rise Above Plastics - Shopping Hit-List....

1. Yoghurts, ice creams and milk (often long-life or organic) can be found in paper-based carton packaging.
   
2. Switch to reusable razors.
3. Switch to good-quality soaps, which last much longer than hand and body wash.
   
4. Buy meat from a butcher to avoid the supermarket's big plastic packages.
5. Skip snack dips and spreads packaged in plastic - make your own!
   
6. Choose butter and cheese in paper wrapping.
   
7. Buy fizzy drinks in cans
8. Choose tap water in restaurants and at home, filter if necessary, take a re-usable metal bottle
9. Buy loose fruit and vegetables.
   
10. Rather than using washing liquid, choose washing powder, which is packaged in cardboard boxes.
11. If you can't find glass or cardboard packaging, choose brands that offer 'refill' packs, to reduce the amount of plastic packaging in your regular household items.
12. Boycott brands that don't offer reduced plastic or plastic free options. They'll soon get the message.
    
13. Beware of bio-plastics. In an attempt to be more eco-friendly, some brands have switched to bio-plastics. However, it generally only biodegrades in special composting heaps which are not commercially available. It's often made using GM plants. Also, the plants used to make bio-plastics are sometimes planted in far-away countries, using up valuable food production land.
14. Shop Consciously - and you'll really start to notice where plastic is being used and wasted unnecessary....
    
15. If you're buying gifts for others - choose non-plastic!

Rise Above Plastics - Take The Pledge...

As I've said before, here at Postcards From The Coast, we usually aim to celebrate the ocean, via articles featuring inspirational images, products and places. Yet, in the same way that it's impossible to walk along a beautiful coastline without seeing the damage plastic is doing to our planet, it's also become impossible to close our eyes to it in everyday life - and that includes here on this blog. So please, join me in taking the pledge to Rise Above Plastics ....

Find out more and pledge to Rise Above Plastics at www.riseaboveplastics.org

Go here to 'like' Rise Above Plastics' @ Facebook

Leave a comment below and tell us how you pledge to Rise Above Plastics.

Remember, a drop in the ocean has a ripple effect!!