When plastics make it to the ocean, they can cause a lot of problems with sea life. Sea turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, one of their favorite foods. Others animals can become tangled in the plastic bags and other plastic pollution. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a swirling mess of garbage located off the coast of California that is twice the size of Texas. It is full of plastic pollution that is not biodegradable or wear down.
Reduce Plastic Use
Enough plastic is thrown away each year to circle the earth four times. To reduce the amount the amount of trash that makes it’s way into the sea, we need to reduce the amount of plastic we use and buy. This can be as simple as using a reusable water bottle instead of purchases bottled water. Another way to reduce daily plastic use is to bring your own reusable bags to the store instead of coming home with more plastic bags (Here are more ideas for reducing plastic bag waste). Many states have already banned the use of plastic bags and plastic bottles.
Recycle and Bale Plastics
We also need to make sure that plastic makes it’s way into the recycling bin and not the trash bin. Many different types of plastics are recyclable, but the most commonly recycled plastics are #1 (PETE) or #2 (HDPE). Harmony Enterprises Inc. makes balers that will compact the plastic bottles and other plastic materials into dense bales for easy storage and transportation. Then the old plastic materials can be made into something new, instead of make their way into the street, and eventually the water.
Take a look at the Infographic below for a deeper insight into the trash and plastic pollution problem in our waters.
Source: Fix.com
View other helpful recycling and waste inforgraphics:
Municipal Solid Waste in the U.S.
The Facts about Textile Waste
Why Recycle: Recycling Tips and Stats
Recycling: Good, Better, Best
The Global Face of Recycling Infographic
Waste Management and Recycling Infograpic
Recycling in Restaurants Infographic
Trash and Recycling Trends Infographic
What’s in your Trash? Infographic
Recycling Facts and Statistics Infographic
Recycling and Trash in Europe Infographic