Rise Above Plastics
The ocean is turning into a plastic soup.
Most plastic pollution at sea starts out on land as litter on beaches, streets and sidewalks. Rain or overwatering flushes that litter through a storm drain system or directly to creeks, streams and rivers that lead to the ocean. After plastics enter the marine environment they slowly photodegrade into smaller pieces that marine life can mistake for food, sometimes with fatal results. Ocean gyres concentrate plastic pollution in five main areas of the world’s ocean and various research groups are bringing back alarming data documenting plastics impacts.
Simple local actions can help make an impact to solve this global issue. Join us in protecting the coast and Rise Above Plastics! Check out the resources on these 'RAP' program pages, then get involved with your local Surfrider Foundation Chapter to help protect the coasts and oceans.
Plastic—it's all around us.
It's in our homes, our offices, our vehicles, our yards, our playgrounds. We use it to package food, bottle products, bag proceduce, make dinnerware and utensils, make toys....
Plastics have undoubtedly helped us to manufacture, package and ship goods more easily, for less money, and in some cases more safely than ever before.
But plastics pose a significant threat to our planet as well.
Part of the problem is plastic itself. The very qualities that make it an adaptable and durable product to use, also make plastic an environmental nightmare. You see, plastics do not biodegrade. Instead they photodegrade - breaking down under exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays, into smaller and smaller pieces.
Bottom line: with the exception of the small amount that has been incinerated, virtually every piece of plastic that was ever made still exists in some shape or form.
Rise Above Plastics 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.
Rise Above Plastic Grassroots Goals
We encourage YOU to help address these globlal issues locally with plastic reductions at home, school, work and for your entire community:
- Connect with Rise Above Plastics by attending a Surfrider Foundation Chapter meeting or following 'RAP' on Facebook / Twitter.
- Get involved with your local chapter and/or spread the word to friends and family about the problems with plastics.
- Be a leader and have the biggest impact by directing a plastic reduction program at school/work or a plastic reduction ordinance with you local city council.
Check out the Rise Above Plastics Activist Toolkit under the 'Resources' tab for detailed tips and ideas.
Ten Ways To Rise Above Plastics
Here are ten easy things you can do to reduce your 'plastic footprint' and help keep plastics out of the marine environment:
- Choose to reuse when it comes to shopping bags and bottled water. Cloth bags and metal or glass reusable bottles are available locally at great prices.
- 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.
- Reduce everyday plastics such as sandwich bags and juice cartons by replacing them with a reusable lunch bag/box that includes a thermos.
- Bring your to-go mug with you to the coffee shop, smoothie shop or restaurants that let you use them. A great wat to reduce lids, plastic cups and/or plastic-lined cups.
- Go digital! No need for plastic cds, dvds and jewel cases when you can buy your music and videos online.
- Seek out alternatives to the plastic items that you rely on.
- 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.
- Volunteer at a beach cleanup. Surfrider Foundation Chapters often hold cleanups monthly or more frequently.
- Support plastic bag bans, polystyrene foam bans and bottle recycling bills.
- Spread the word. Talk to your family and friends about why it is important to Rise Above Plastics!
Rise Above Plastics Activist Toolkit
Help reduce plastic waste in your community with the Rise Above Plastics Activist Toolkit! This is a step by step guide to creating positive change in your community through reducing single-use plastics. The RAP Toolkit is focused on establishing a plastic bag ban or similar ordinance and it also offers insight on increasing awareness of plastic pollution issues through education and outreach.
RAP Activist Toolkit E-mag version to View or RAP Activist Toolkit PDF version to Print
RAP Facts
- The amount of plastic produced from 2000 - 2010 exceeds the amount produced during the entire last century.[1]
- Plastic is the most common type of marine litter worldwide.[2]
- An estimated 100,000 marine mammals and up to 1 million sea birds die every year after ingesting or being tangled in plastic marine litter.[3]
- Up to 80% of the plastic in our oceans comes from land-based sources.[4]
- Plastics comprise up to 90% of floating marine debris.[5]
- In 2009 about 3.8 million tons of waste plastic "bags, sacks and wraps" were generated in the United States, but only 9.4% of this total was recycled.[6]
- Plastics do not biodegrade, but instead break down into small particles that persist in the ocean, absorb toxins, and enter our food chain through fish, sea birds and other marine life.[7]
- Plastic bags are problematic in the litter stream because they float easily in the air and water, traveling long distances and never fully breaking down in water.
- Cleanup of plastic bags is costly. California spends $25 million annually to landfill discarded plastic bags, and public agencies spend more than $300 million annually in litter cleanup.[8]
- It is estimated that Americans go through about 100 billion plastic bags a year, or 360 bags per year for every man, woman and child in the country.[9]
RAP on the Web
Rise Above Plastics (RAP) likes to stay connected with our supporters as much as possible and we welcome your feedback and ideas. Here are some of the main places you can find more info and stay connected:
Learn more about Rise Above Plastics on the Coastal Blog, and Beachapedia.
Connect with RAP at facebook.com/riseaboveplastic , twitter.com/riseaboveplstcs and our Plastics Fail page.
Check out Surfrider Foundation 'RAP' Campaigns across the county HERE.
Surfrider Foundation has new public forums where you can share your ideas and ask any questions you may have about RAP.
Visit the Surfrider Foundation Store for Rise Above Plastics reusable bags, reusable bottles and more!
Links to Partners
Algalita Marine Research Foundation
Citizens Campaign for the Environment
February 08 2012
Do you need a bulldozer to cleanup your beach?
I sure hope not. I have seen photos of large equipment scooping litter out of Ballona Creek in LA, insane plastic pollution in the Tijuana River Valley near the Mexican border at the Pacific Ocean and large beach raking machines are common in many tourist areas but these photos from Lebanon were still eye opening. As we do our best to stop the flow of plastic pollution entering the oceans domestically, many foreign countries struggle with waste disposal and basic recycling. While it's tempting to branch out everywhere we see plastic pollution, a good first step is to stop plastic pollution at home. Remember the four R's of plastic: refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle along with supporting plastic source reductions such as bag bans, expanded polystyrene foam bans and bottle bills.
January 31 2012
Plastic In The Food Chain
Remember the plastic bag sushi ad we posted last week? While it's a bit extreme, it does show the underlying truth that the ocean is turning into a plastic soup and plastic is entering the food chain through the fish we eat. While most people are concerned with larger types of plastic that often break into small pieces over time, there's a relatively new player: microplastics.
January 27 2012
Leatherback Sea Turtles Get Protection Along West Coast
Coastal Preservation Know Your H20 Desalination Ocean Ecosystems Rise Above Plastics
Regulators designated nearly 42,000 square miles of ocean on the West Coast as critical habitat for endangered leatherback sea turtles, protecting them from ocean-related development projects and pollution.
January 24 2012
New Rise Above Plastics Print PSA’s from Pollinate
Check out these great new print PSA's that Pollinate Agency in Portland, OR created for Surfrider's Rise Above Plastics program!
January 23 2012
Stiv on Bag Ban Campaign Planning
I recently caught up with 5 Gyres Communications and Policy Director / Surfrider activist Stiv Wilson to get some of his insight on planning for a successful plastic reduction campaign. Stiv has a wealth of knowledge from sailing in three of the five gyres to being one of the many influential activists leading the Portland OR 'Ban The Bag' campaign. Watch and listen as Stiv covers some of the most important things to consider when pursuing a bag ban or other plastics reduction in your town, city, region or state.
January 11 2012
Another One Bites The Dust - SLO Bag Ban Passes!
San Luis Obispo County County Integrated Waste Management Authority had a 'super vote' for the first time in their history and a super majority of board members passed one of the first countywide plastic bag bans in the U.S. This one covers both the unincorporated areas and all incorporated cities in the county. The ordinance bans 'single-use/disposable checkout bags' and puts a 10 cent fee on paper bags, which is a great way to help people remember their reusable bags. There was a wide variety of support from environmental groups such as Surfrider Foundation, SLO Coastkeeper and Sierra Club along with business interests such as the California Grocers Association, SLO Chamber of Commerce and the local waste hauler.
January 09 2012
Ban The Bag on Portlandia
Cheers to the Surfrider Foundation Portland Chapter for making such an impact with their successful Ban The Bag campaign that it landed on the Independent Film Channel's hit series Portlandia! It's a funny show and this is a great parody on petitioning. New episodes Fridays at 10, check your cable or satellite listings for the channel.
January 01 2012
What was the first plastic item that you touched this year?
Maybe it was a cheap champagne glass at midnight or the tv remote control after watching some of the celebrations. Maybe you slept through the turn of the calendar and it was your alarm clock or toilet seat first thing in the morning. For me, it was the case on my phone - a plastic item with the sole purpose of protecting a more expensive plastic/metal/glass item. Plastic is all around us and it's become tough for some to go through a waking hour without using or touching something plastic. Can one of your new year's resolutions be to lower your plastic footprint?
December 20 2011
Flotsam Clusters - Nothing New
Check out this rad artwork! I'm usually hesitant to glorify trash and marine debris but I love this work from Lowell Nickel and wanted to pass it along. Plastic trash and litter is easily ignored by most people but these works highlight how durable and everlasting it can be. Next time you pass some plastic litter on the beach or sidewalk, pick it up. It belongs in a recycle bin or trash can.
December 19 2011
What does a 3% increase in violent crimes have to do with a plastic bag ban?
Nothing, it's just a scare tactic. In advance of the Seattle City Council vote on a plastic bag ban for the city that passed 9-0(!), a major plastic bag manufacturer started running an opposition ad in Seattle newspapers that could be described as scare tactics. Why else would they include and image of police tape and a stat regarding violent crime? Regarding plastic bags they make some questionable claims that I feel compelled to respond to.
December 16 2011
Waste To Waves / Foam to Surfboard Recycling!
Waste to Waves™ is an exciting new recycling program developed by nonprofit organization Sustainable Surf, that’s designed to turn waste materials into new, eco-friendlier surfing products. Partners for the initial launch campaign include Reef, SPY Optic, Marko Foam, Surfrider Foundation and Waste Management. Waste to Waves lets you “Turn Your Trash To Slash” this holiday season, by collecting and recycling your used styrofoam* packaging waste, into a new recycled EPS surfboard blanks made by Marko Foam.
December 15 2011
How To Trim The Plastic When Grocery Shopping
Day Without A Bag is today and the focus is to avoid carryout bags in favor of remembering your reusable bags. It’s the easiest way to Rise Above Plastics at the grocery store, but just the tip of the plastic iceberg. Here are some other tips to help trim the plastic...
December 13 2011
Stocking Stuffer Alert - Reusable Glass Straws!
Our friends at Simply Straws recently sent along a special batch of reusable glass straws etched with the Surfrider logo! Conventional plastic straws can be a dangerous single-use plastic item because it's really hard to recycle them and it seems they are often littered. Once littered they often start the migratory path through your local watershed to the nearest ocean, bay, lake, etc. Personally, I typically opt out of straws and try to remember to request 'no straw' at restaurants but have been using these at home and they are pretty neat. Some people like straws for various reasons and this is your chance to win one!
December 12 2011
Celebrate Day Without A Bag THIS THURSDAY!
A Day Without a Bag is an educational grassroots event started by Heal the Bay in Los Angeles and hosted by Surfrider Foundation Chapters along with local community groups throughout the country. Held the third Thursday in December, we ask holiday shoppers and retailers to forgo single-use, plastic shopping bags in favor of reusable bags. Celebrate by remembering your reusable bags and if you happen to have a few extra ones, give them away to a friend or stranger to show your commitment to a clean ocean!
December 08 2011
Hawaii Print PSA’s
HUGE Mahalos to Kevin Whitton (Ed./Publisher) and Kyle Tanaka (Art Dir.) for sponsoring Surfrider HI's Rise Above Plastic ads in Green Magazine! Thanks to the Surfrider Foundation Oahu Chapter 'RAP' Comm., Sheila, Rob, Leilei, Robert, Lora L., Pasha P., Tia-Brooke F., Stuart C. and all those who helped design and produce the ads. Not only did Green Magazine publish them, but they created this cool poster to showcase the ads. Check 'em out and share away!
December 07 2011
Rise Above Foam
What lightweight single-use plastic is typically used for under ten minutes and can easily break into many pieces if littered? If you guessed expanded polystyrene foam, you are correct! These small pieces of foam run the risk of harming wildlife that mistake it for food. Even if someone has the inclination to recycle the expanded polystyrene foam, most curbside recyclers will not accept it. Take action and sign this pledge to opt for sustainable, healthy foodware packaging!
December 01 2011
15 Ways in 15 Days
15 Ways to Reduce Plastic Use in 15 Days for the Holiday Season is an idea from the the Surfrider Foundation San Francisco Chapter. Check them all out here and follow them daily on the Rise Above Plastics Facebook page.
November 30 2011
BWTF Students Paddle Out for a Bag Free LA
Blue Water Task Force Youth Rise Above Plastics Bag Bans
The Heal the Bay Surfrider Club at Santa Monica High School organized a paddle out to bring attention to the bacteria and plastic pollution that heavy rains in October brought to their beaches. Read their press release.
November 27 2011
‘Bag It’ Online Screening This Sunday!
Have you seen the critically acclaimed documentary 'Bag It' yet? If not, this Sunday is your chance to catch it from the luxury of your own home. This Sunday December 4th at 8pm EST/ 5pm PST, the Surfrider Foundation is hosting an online screening for the low, low price of $5! Invite your friends over or gather the family, the film is a great discussion starter. Along those lines, Surfrider CEO Jim Moriarty will introduce the film and host a q&a after for any questions you may have. Grab some popcorn, your favorite beverage and enjoy the show!
November 22 2011
Rise Above Plastics Holiday Shopping Tips
Black Friday specials are in full swing and the joy of the holidays is knocking on the door. Are you going to be naughty or nice when it comes to your shopping and gift giving? The world's population is currently using 50 percent more resources each year than the earth can sustain, according to the latest Living Planet Report by the World Wildlife Fund. And that figure is projected to rise to 200 percent in the next 50 years if we don't change course. The amount of plastic produced from 2000 - 2010 exceeds the amount produced during the entire last century and the ocean is turning into a plastic soup but there are ways to turn the tide on plastic pollution. The holiday season is an ideal time to lead by example with gifts and actions that show your dedication to a sustainable earth that’s free of plastic litter.
Take Action
Ban Bags and Foam in Aliso Viejo, CA
Please ask the Aliso Viejo City Council to be a leader in Orange County by considering and passing a ban on plastic bags and…
Trash Free Maryland
The State of Maryland is proposing a fee on single use grocery bags. Show your support by sending a letter to your legislators.