Stop Plastic Pollution: The Great Garbage Patch

Much of our waste today is comprised of plastic that does not biodegrade. Only a small percentage of it gets recycled. And a certain amount invariably ends up in the ocean.

In the ocean, this waste accumulates in swirling seas of debris, where plastic to sealife ratios are 6:1; where birds and mammals are dying of starvation and dehydration with bellies full of plastics; and fish are ingesting plastic particles laced with toxic chemicals at such a rate that soon they will no longer be safe to eat.

The largest of these garbage swills is known as the North Pacific Gyre, or The Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It contains millions of tons of plastic pollution, most of it disposable plastic objects.

Plastic toys, plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic straws, pacifiers, wrappers, toothbrushes - all too numerous to count are only part of what can be found in this accidental dump floating midway between Hawaii and San Francisco.

Most scientists argue that the plastic trash is impossible to clean once in the ocean.

So what to do? Start by changing your own habits - REFUSE disposable plastic, and REDUCE your plastic footprint. Then invite other to join he cause, and share what you have learned with them.

1. Plastic pollution is one of the greatest problems facing the planet today

2. There is plastic pollution in the ocean, but also in the dessert, in the air, in our food and water, in our communities, and in our bodies

3. Plastic is a material that the Earth cannot digest

4. The single greatest contributor to plastic pollution and disposable plastic objects

5. Visit www.PlasticPollutionCoalition.org to learn more and support local efforts to reduce our dependency on plastic.