The effect of plastic waste and marine pollution has made it all the more important to focus on ways to stop plastic pollution in the ocean. And the first step towards helping clean the oceans and saving our sea creature friends, is to adopt a more eco-friendly lifestyle at home.
To learn more about how to stop plastic pollution in the ocean, theAsianparent speak to the Founder and designer of Adrift Gift, Serena Adsit.
Everyday Objects You Didn’t Know End Up As Marine Trash
Image source: iStock
Ms Adsit explains that out of over 300 million tonnes of plastic produced annually, 8 million tonne ends up in the oceans every year. In fact, they also permeate all levels of the water from surface level to the deep sea.
All this debris puts marine life at risk from ingestion and entanglement.
But aside from sea animals, we are just as affected by plastic debris since the food we eat has unfortunately, been tainted with marine plastics and other harmful substances have leaked into waterways.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, plastic pollution actually threatens food safety and quality, human health and coastal tourism. It even contributes to climate change.
Based on her experience with beach clean-ups, Ms Adsit lists down everyday objects in our lives she sees most abundantly ending up as marine trash:
- Water bottles
- Plastic bags
- Food wrappers
- Styrofoam
- Straws
- Toys forgotten on the beach
“A lot of these items can be reused, if not used at all and let us be reminded that plastics can take hundreds of years to break down, so while they sit out in the open, they are breaking down into microplastics which we can never clear up,” says Ms Adsit.
How To Stop Plastic Pollution In The Ocean: Alternatives Families Can Use To Reduce Waste
Image source: iStock
As a lot of the things we use every day at home end up as marine waste in the end, we ask Ms Adsit for a few alternatives that families can use instead.
Here are some eco-friendly practices you can start doing with the whole family to help reduce plastic waste in our oceans:
- Reusable food and drink containers
Families can reduce their plastic load by using reusable food and drink containers when purchasing takeaway.
- Metal straws
If you really need to use a straw, bring along your own reusable one made out of metal.
- Shopping bags
While shopping at the grocery, bring along your own shopping bags instead of using plastic bags.
- Reuse plastic bags you have left
The plastic bags that you do have at home can be used in a variety of ways, and washed out again and again.
- Water filter
Installing a water filter will also negate the need for buying bottled water for the household.
Teaching Kids To Help Stop Plastic Pollution In The Ocean
Ms Adsit would sit down with her own son and watch documentaries like Plastic Ocean.
When he saw how it affected the marine birds and animals, he started being conscious of his own efforts to reduce plastics use. I also took him along for beach clean-up sessions where he joined in to clear trash,” she shares.
“At home, he knows that we don’t just throw away plastic bags, we reuse them for a variety of things and he helps to recycle delivery packaging into toys or storage containers for him and his sister,” Ms Adsit says about her son.
She adds, “He is also cognizant of the fact that we prefer to make our own snacks and refrain from purchasing too many food items that are packaged with single use plastics. Foods that can easily be made at home instead of purchasing are buns, dried fruit crisps, cookies and cake.”
Ms Adsit and her son also make it a habit to reduce the amount of kids’ items they have by donating them or handing them down before buying new ones. She notes that buying second-hand is also a great way to reduce waste.
She adds, “We enjoy up cycling sessions with the children by turning discarded items into fun gifts, toys, or even useful items around the house like storage etc. This way, we will also be training our children to think twice about the possible usage of ‘trash’ before it gets thrown away.”
“Actually with minimal research, families will be able to find a myriad of ways to reduce waste at home. Just get creative with what works for your family!” Ms Adsit makes sure to add.
Image source: iStock
5 Ways To Stop Plastic Pollution In The Ocean, While At Home
As we live on an island, Ms Adsit suggests taking the kids to the beach. This will help them see for themselves the litter and marine trash around us. This way they can become more aware of the seriousness of plastic pollution, first-hand.
She also gave theAsianparent several tips on how the entire family can help to stop plastic pollution in the ocean:
1. Use a clean-up kit which should consist of gloves, tongs, recycled bags and start picking up the trash around you. Remember though, safety first. Never put yourself and your children in harm’s way when trash-picking.
2. Purchase household items at shops that sell in bulk or use plastic-free packaging.
3. Everyone can carry a foldable carrier in their bag so as to refuse plastic bags when shopping.
4. Toys and old clothes and shoes can be donated or handed down to promote a zero-waste lifestyle.
5. Kids school lunches can be made at home to reduce the need to purchase snacks and drinks with single-up plastic packaging.
BONUS Tip: When buying gifts for others, or even for family members, buy consciously and purchase brands that you know are also making an effort to conserve our environment.
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