Marine debris, often called litter, has become a problem along shorelines, coastal waters, estuaries, and oceans throughout the world. It is defined as any man-made, solid material that enters our waterways directly (e.g., by dumping) or indirectly (e.g., washed out to sea via rivers, streams, storm drains, etc.).
Objects ranging from detergent bottles, hazardous medical wastes, and discarded fishing line all qualify as marine debris. In addition to being unsightly, it poses a serious threat to everything with which it comes into contact. Marine debris can be life-threatening to marine organisms and humans and can wreak havoc on coastal communities and the fishing industry.
Major Sponsor
Our Principal Naming Rights Sponsor for Seaweek 06 is BAG SMART. Bag Smart is a social marketing campaign to reduce plastic shopping bags in the community.
Bag Smart connects people to the issue of plastic bags, demonstrates that there are alternatives, and supports the take up of sustainable social change.
5. After you unpack your groceries at home, make sure you put your reusable bags straight back on the front seat of your car or at your front door. That way, you won’t forget them the next time you shop!
Take reusable bags and use them at every shop, not just at the supermarket.
10. Be responsible for your own waste. Remember, plastic dumped on land can be blown long distances or carried along waterways where it eventually ends up in the ocean.
A Green bag - one of the "environmentally friendly" alternatives to plastic bags
16. Resist the use of plastic straws when ever possible.
17. Encourage your community to switch to an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic bags. Do a presentation for your local community or the chamber of Commerce.
18. Think before you buy…Become an empowered shopper and talk with your feet.
19. E-commerce is the wave of the future. But remember, e-commerce is not necessarily waste-free. Choose items that won’t be excessively packed for shipping.
20. Your aim is to build on this list of ways we can make a difference. Can you make it 40 ways to reduce our use of plastic and packaging so less and less ends up in the marine environment.
