The world’s oceans are in trouble and one of the major causes is toxic pollution. Not sure how to stop pollution in the ocean? Luckily, there is hope – we can all do our part to help stop ocean pollution and protect marine life. Here are some simple solutions to plastic pollution in the ocean.Â
Pick up trash
Picking up trash when we can, even if it's not ours, is one of the most direct and impactful solutions to ocean pollution. When trash remains on beaches, animals often think it’s food. When animals eat beach litter, especially plastic, it has negative impacts on their health. Taking the simple step of picking up trash on the beach helps beaches stay clean and protects the delicate balance of our aquatic ecosystem.
Recycle
Recycling helps reduce the amount of toxic pollution that ends up in our oceans and keeps our beaches clean. By cutting down on the amount of waste going into landfills, we can help diminish toxic waste that may otherwise wash up on shore or find its way into the ocean and harm wildlife.Â
Avoid single-use plastics
Avoiding single-use plastics such as straws, cups, and grocery bags is a way to prevent trash from entering our oceans. Ten million tons of plastic are dumped into our oceans every year. When possible, use products that are made of recyclable, compostable, or reusable materials.Â
Shopping with a reusable cloth bag or using a reusable water bottle instead of a plastic one are easy lifestyle changes that are also easy ocean pollution solutions to prevent the build-up of plastic on beaches. Â
Educate yourself and others
Saving our oceans can feel overwhelming, but try to educate yourself and others on what you can do to make an impact. Understanding what actions you can take is the first step in restoring the health and beauty of our oceans. Remember that clean oceans mean safe habitats for ocean life to thrive in.Â
Support environmental protection organizationsÂ
Supporting beach cleanup organizations and other environmental cleanup organizations is a fun way to get you and your loved ones involved in environmental conservation. Cleaning the beach is a solution for plastic pollution that is a lot of work, which is why it’s often done in large groups. It’s also a great way to aid coastal communities to boost tourism and a fun way to soak up the sun and do something great for the planet.Â
While many beach cleaning efforts have been achieved through volunteer initiatives and environmental cleanups, myriad organizations exist solely to combat ocean pollution, advocate for environmental stewardship, organize beach cleanups, and promote a culture of sustainability.Â
At Fahlo, we advocate for aquatic conservation efforts with our sea turtle tracking bracelets. A portion of our profits from these bracelets is donated to the Sea Turtle Conservancy. When you help us support sea turtle conservation, you get a bracelet to show your love and support for marine wildlife.Â
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