Recycla has been thinking about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch lately. Ugh. The thought of all that plastic muck out there causes her no end of worry.
Unfortunately, Recycla has a new worry to add to her list — though it has not received nearly as much attention as its infamous cousin in the Pacific, the North Atlantic Ocean also has its very own enormous patch of swirling plastic soup.
In fact, Recycla was disheartened to learn recently that the world’s oceans contain FIVE large swirling plastic patches.
Yes, fellow Eco Warriors, there are five garbage patches that we need to be aware of. Recycla had no idea.
Quoting from the 5Gyres website:
Around the world, plastic pollution has become a growing plague, clogging our waterways, damaging marine ecosystems, and entering the marine food web. Much of the plastic trash we generate on land flows into our oceans through storm drains and watersheds. It falls from garbage and container trucks, spills out of trashcans, or is tossed carelessly.
In the ocean, some of these plastics — Polycarbonate, Polystrene, and PETE — sink, while LDPE, HDPE, Polypropylene, and foamed plastics float on the ocean’s surface. Sunlight and wave action cause these floating plastics to fragment, breaking into increasingly smaller particles, but never completely disappearing — at least on any documented time scale. This plastic pollution is becoming a hazard for marine wildlife, and ultimately for us.
While the world’s scientists grapple with the problem of how to deal with all that plastic-y mess, what can you be doing on a daily basis? That’s easy, cut back on your plastic use. You know the drill — drink from a reusable water bottle, take your reusable bags to the grocery store, and generally reduce your plastic use wherever you can. Sure, you might be able to recycle the plastic later, but wouldn’t it be great if you never had it to begin with?
All of these actions, while seemingly small, WILL make a difference.
Tell the Eco Women: Have you made any efforts to reduce your plastic consumption? What has worked for you? Where do you need a little help?
Finally, special birthday wishes go out to Enviro Girl from the rest of the Eco Women! Have a great day whilst saving the planet!!!
Image credit courtesy of 5Gyres.
I had NO idea! It makes sense, though. How awful. We need to all become more vigilant and skip the plastic.