WAVE Water Warriors
Take the Pledge and Become a Water Warrior
Time to Break Up with Plastic
We’ve all heard of (and maybe even had) toxic relationships with other people, but one of the most toxic relationships humans have is with PLASTIC.
Plastic surrounds every facet of our lives: grocery bags, water bottles, pill containers, sandwich bags, toothbrushes, shampoo bottles, and the list goes on.
It’s time to BREAK UP with the plastic in your life by taking WAVE’s Water Warrior Pledge and learning about the ways plastic effects our lives and how to reduce your plastic consumption.
Check back each month for more information on sustainable practices to help you be a WAVE Water Warrior.
The Toxic Relationship between Plastic and the Environment
According to the United Nations Environmental Program, “Plastics are the largest, most harmful and most persistent fraction of marine litter, accounting for at least 85% of total marine waste.” This massive amount of waste is drastically changing the environment and effecting all ecosystems, from source to sea. Plastic pollution is found in both fresh and saltwater ecosystems, creating biohazards for wildlife everywhere.
Just like a clingy ex, plastics stick around for way too long.
Plastics don’t break down the same way other materials can, so they pose a higher risk to natural environments. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that more than 1,500 species of both marine and terrestrial wildlife ingest plastic. This number doesn’t account for the risk of entanglement as well, which can lead to mutilation or suffocation.
Why We Need to Break Up with Plastic
Plastic waste doesn’t just effect wildlife: microplastics have made their way into our food, air and drinking water. According to an article by Stanford Medicine “adults ingest the equivalent of one credit card per week in microplastics.”
Exposure to mircoplastics has been linked to increased risk of cancer, heart attacks, reproductive problems and more.
Plastic waste is a huge problem and it can feel overwhelming to figure out how to solve it. Every big problem starts with individual action because we can’t make waves without first making ripples.
Start in your own life with the 5 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse and Repurpose.
What Can You Do Now
Let’s focus on Reduce and Refuse.
Reduce your plastic consumption by making small switches, one at a time. Below is a list of just a few items you can switch out to reduce plastic waste:
Instead of...
- Plastic straws and utensils
- Plastic sandwich bags
- Dryer sheets
- Bottled water
- Plastic tube lip balm
- Liquid body wash/shampoo bottle
- Toothbrush
- Dish sponges
- Plastic grocery bags
Try...
- To-go reusable utensil kit and straw
- Reusable silicone storage bags
- Wool dryer ball
- Reusable aluminum water bottle
- Paper tube lip balm
- Bar soap and shampoo
- Bamboo toothbrush
- Natural material sponges & scrubbers
- Reusable bags
Refuse single-use plastic that is offered when dining out or shopping.
- Let restaurant staff know that you don’t need a straw for your drink or plastic utensils for take out.
- Have a cashier help you bag groceries in reusable bags brought with you.
Over time, businesses will reduce their plastic purchasing if more people are refusing the products, ultimately reducing plastic waste overall.