This spring, the Surfrider Foundation is rolling out a new educational campaign called Rise Above Plastics.  Its mission:

To reduce the impacts of plastics in the marine environment by raising awareness about the         dangers of plastic pollution and by advocating for a reduction of single-use plastics and the recycling of all plastics.

According to many researchers, plastics now comprise one of the biggest threats to marine environments today.  Here are some facts about plastics:

    * Plastics do not biodegrade.  They do however photodegrade; which means that they break                  down under exposure to UV light, into smaller and smaller pieces.

    * With the exception of a small amount that has been incinerated, virtually every piece of plastic that has ever been created still exists in some way shape or form.

    * Over one million sea birds and 100,000 marine mammals die each year because they eat, swallow, or get tangled up in plastics.

    * 50% of all marine litter is some form of plastic

    * In certain areas of the ocean, suspended plastic particles outnumber plankton six to one.

    * Each year in the United States alone, over 24 billion pounds of plastic packaging is produced, which is specifically designed to be thrown away as soon as that package is opened.

    * Over one trillion plastic shopping bags are consumed worldwide each year

How people can reduce their "plastic footprint"

     * Reduce – Reduce the amount of plastic you consume, especially single-use plastics.  When appropriate, buy food items in bulk.  Instead of using traditional plastic plates and dinnerware, look for items made out of corn or bio-based plastics, which are biodegradable.

    * Reuse – Instead of using plastic bags and single-use bottles, buy and use re-usable containers, bags and bottles.

    * Recycle – If you do use plastics, make sure that you recycle those items.  Most plastics are 99% recyclable and can be used to make such things as clothing, construction materials and other durable plastic items.

For more information on Rise Above Plastics, go to www.surfrider.org

Rising Above Plastics