It’s no secret that plastic pollution is suffocating the ocean and the many animals that call it home. Researchers estimate there are now over 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean with the number continuing to grow every day. This pollution is ravaging our marine ecosystems, entangling and choking wildlife such as seabirds, dolphins, fish, and turtles, while plastic fragments displace plankton at the base of the food chain.
So, what’s the best way to combat this global epidemic facing our ocean? It’s simple: we need to stop the problem at its source!
For over a decade, Surfrider Foundation chapters have worked to reduce plastic pollution through campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels. Our advocacy tackles some of the biggest litter items – plastic checkout bags, cigarette butts, polystyrene foam containers, plastic bottles, and straws. The goal: to stop consumption of single-use plastics and keep these products out of landfills, watersheds and the ocean.
Alas, the plastics industry is not standing pat as communities increasingly reject their harmful products. Surfrider and our partners actually had to pass the California bag ban twice after an industry fueled effort put the policy on the ballot for voters in 2016. Meanwhile, the New York City bag policy was subsequently overturned by the New York State Assembly, part of disturbing national trend of states preempting local government efforts to address plastic pollution. But rest assured, Surfrider chapters are not wilting in the face of industry foul play and will continue to fight to rid our beaches and ocean of these wasteful products.
Meanwhile, Surfrider chapters have expanded advocacy efforts to focus on other types of plastic pollution, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam which is typically used for cheap, disposable foodware. Similar to other forms of plastic, EPS foam does not biodegrade and wreaks harm on animals and our environment. This year, Surfrider has already passed local policies to limit foam in the states of Florida, California, and Hawaii, and we’ve got six other ongoing campaigns on the issue. With this advocacy designed to complement business outreach through our Ocean Friendly Restaurants program, we believe we can fundamentally shift our nation’s habits away from these harmful foodware products.
Are you concerned about plastic pollution in the ocean? Then please join our efforts to address this critical issue! Our chapter network is always looking for passionate volunteers to advocate on behalf of our ocean, waves, and beaches. Surfrider currently has 28 active campaigns to address plastic pollution in the U.S. and we could use your support. Together we can make a difference in stemming the flow of plastics into the ocean!
See links below to learn more and get involved!
Visit Surfrider’s plastic pollution webpage
Access Surfrider’s plastic advocacy toolkit
Find a Surfrider chapter near you click here